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Discussion in 'All Things Boats & Boating' started by gmeadows, Oct 2, 2003.

  1. gmeadows
    Joined: Oct 2003
    Posts: 6
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Portsmouth, NH

    gmeadows Junior Member

    I am building wooden boats with plank on frame hulls and some cold-molded hulls as well. I am just now getting established in Portsmouth, NH after completing construction of my own shop; a 24'x40' post and beam building with a wood floor and 14' eave heights and a 12/12 roof pitch. It is a very inspirational place to work.

    I hope eventually to get a commission from 2 show-pieces that I am building; the first is a Catspaw Dinghy which is a round bottomed plank on frame 13' Herreshoff design rebirthed by the hand of designer Joel White. I have worked on other boats in various classes at WoodenBoat School in Maine but the Catspaw is my first boat. I am close to turning her over and it is an exciting time to say the least. I plan to be done before year's end but then when people ask me I just use the old standard answer; it'll be done when it's done. I have fully thought out the finish be it paint, varnish or oil and color scheme as it is good to envision the end before you get there thereby giving you a better chance to in fact "get there". My second boat is going to be a larger day sailer; either a Flatfish or a Haven 12 1/2 both of which will need around 1,000 hours to complete as I am building on my own. I work fast and I am organized and I feel I am on track but I really am unsure exactly how I might come by that first commission for new construction. I have some ideas but I welcome any and all thoughts from this forum.

    My situation and background is this. I am late 40's, married with no children and my wife has a good career. I am trained as a structural engineer and spent 15 years in building and bridge design and then became self-taught in writing software and spent 10 years in high-tech developing applications in many different industries. I am an AutoCAD expert and have written several 3rd party applications that run on top of AutoCAD for manufacturing companies. I also have trade skills having built full kitchens doing electrical, plumbing, drywall, tile and custom cabinetry all gained by hanging out here and there over the years with people in the know. I enjoy the work but chose to work on boats from nothing more than a pure sense of passion.

    I am interested in both design and restoration and on the first account I have chosen to start Lesson 1 with YDS in January. I have read many of the books on the subject and my nautical library has grown significantly in the past few years. I have limited experience on the water but that has changed with recent training both on the water and in the classroom. Navigation and yacht design come easy with my engineering background. I am also working on my artistic side which is an interesting experience with ideas I dream of and then render into a pretty picture or cartoon if you want to call it that. I want to find out if I can be a successful yacht designer but as with most things in life you have to go through the fog before you know if you have what it takes. I hope this forum can help me out along the way with my journey of discovery on a new found passion. I am worried that I am one who never really looked at boats until I slowed down enough with my work stuff to think about what I would really like to do. Ahh ha - boats !!! Not sure what this means.

    As for restoration or just general repair, I have no experience although I am looking for old clunkers that have some promise and just go at it - it's a great way to learn. I went up to the Boat School in Eastport, ME and I was majorly impressed by their program. Sure would love to dig into a project like that with some pro's for a few months. Hanging out is alot of what's involved but it's getting there - Eastport is real remote for me and the few builders around me all work solo so I'm not sure just how to gain this experience other than just do it.

    I chose YDS mainly because of it's convenience and partly its cost. I am glad I found this forum and I look forward to sharing and learning. I may post this bio in a few areas since it concerns not only education but also business and marketing issues.
     
  2. Corpus Skipper
    Joined: Oct 2003
    Posts: 606
    Likes: 8, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 173
    Location: Corpus Christi TX

    Corpus Skipper Hopeless Boataholic

    Hi, I'm also starting a "back yard" boat building business. I am starting construction on my shop in the spring. It will be 16X20 with 10' ceiling, 10' barn doors and steep pitch roof for loft area. I will be building 14 to 18 foot custom flats skiffs to start with. Maybe we can put our heads together and help each other out a bit. Sure would like to see a picture of your shop! Good luck.
     
  3. RealityBoatCo
    Joined: May 2004
    Posts: 93
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Bucyrus OH

    RealityBoatCo Junior Member

    I've had my stuff spread all over town. Now I'm finally getting everything in one place so I can start building. Just bought a house 2 years ago and have been moving stuff into my garage for a year. Still may end up with stuff in other places. and a second building. :cool: I had know idea I had so much stuff.
     
  4. ILoveBoats
    Joined: May 2004
    Posts: 4
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: BoatLand

    ILoveBoats New Member

    Now thats what I call an able Seaman.
     
  5. boatiechap
    Joined: May 2004
    Posts: 6
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Middle of the Agean

    boatiechap Junior Member

     

  6. RealityBoatCo
    Joined: May 2004
    Posts: 93
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Bucyrus OH

    RealityBoatCo Junior Member

    LOL :)
     
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