Thanks for the timely post. As it happens after I finish writing this comment I'll start unloading a stack of plywood destined to become the lofting floor for my next big project, a 24' gaff rigged boat I've been contemplating for years now. This will boat #6 (not the last!) and it stands on lessons learned from the earlier builds and a career running shops building theatrical scenery. It is a magical ability we humans have to go from a picture in our heads to a sketch on paper to a useful object. But I describe myself as a Serial Builder, so maybe I'm biased.
Stephen, you comment that "Are we ...forgetting... other commitments, other goals?" while focaused on our boat builds. I don't forget these commitments but purposly set them aside! I find wiuth each project something needs to be sacraficed to make "time"! When building oir home from scratch, starting with just $6,000, we sold our motorcycle, the canoe and more, just to buy 2 X 4s! When building a boat, leisure time on weekends and evenings become work time! Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to do it, but with most projects taking longer to build (they always do), I'm always a bit stressed by the end and I am very releived to be done! Thank goodness for the voyaging part of a boat build, it recharges the batteries! And the next obsession has time to form in our imagination! I've enjoyed your books! Thanks for this article! AllthebestRoy
Have a 17' sailing canoe hanging in my garage presently. Kit bought end of 2016, build started 11/2/2019, launched mid-August of '21. I count it as a success but for a now clearly evident lack of motivation to use much.
That it's overly complicated for what I'd envisioned I'd be doing with it when I fell in love with the design, that it's an hour – or more – to the nearest sail-able bodies of water, that it takes another hour to set up then launch, same to recover... plus the slightly unsettling inherent instability it carries unless two are aboard or I've mounted the amas (designer's afterthought, which adds another fifteen minutes and seriously hinders ease of launch/ recovery) leave me with a desire to find her a new owner come spring.
Had gangs of fun during the build (got me through the Pandemic), made new friends (via builders' forum), learned a lot (materials, techniques, myself) in the doing.
Sounds like experience has been a good teacher. All your designs and actual fabrications should follow ABYC guidelines. Your completed yacht must be insurable so build photo archive of all work and seek out the help of a suitable surveyor for incremental inspections. Keep up the good work. mitchwitt.com
Thanks for the timely post. As it happens after I finish writing this comment I'll start unloading a stack of plywood destined to become the lofting floor for my next big project, a 24' gaff rigged boat I've been contemplating for years now. This will boat #6 (not the last!) and it stands on lessons learned from the earlier builds and a career running shops building theatrical scenery. It is a magical ability we humans have to go from a picture in our heads to a sketch on paper to a useful object. But I describe myself as a Serial Builder, so maybe I'm biased.
I admire your intellectual honesty. Now a couple of decades into my obsession with proas a few things are crystal clear.
The obsession isn't going away.
I've developed a pattern of design/build a down and dirty trial horse followed by a more substantial craft based on what was learned.
There's still a lot to learn (three cycles in).
My current craft is the last substantial craft I'll build.
Fortunately there's a lot of room for improvement on the boat.
I may have another go at a minimalist wing sailed proa if mental and physical abilities are up to the task.
I don't have the same degree of voyaging obsession that you've shown, Just doing the Texas 200 and like events satisfies my wanderlust.
The drive is to find elegant solutions to problems far from the norm. It's been a rewarding sometimes challenging journey but I've enjoyed the trip.
I hope your tacking proa does the job for you.
Stephen, you comment that "Are we ...forgetting... other commitments, other goals?" while focaused on our boat builds. I don't forget these commitments but purposly set them aside! I find wiuth each project something needs to be sacraficed to make "time"! When building oir home from scratch, starting with just $6,000, we sold our motorcycle, the canoe and more, just to buy 2 X 4s! When building a boat, leisure time on weekends and evenings become work time! Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to do it, but with most projects taking longer to build (they always do), I'm always a bit stressed by the end and I am very releived to be done! Thank goodness for the voyaging part of a boat build, it recharges the batteries! And the next obsession has time to form in our imagination! I've enjoyed your books! Thanks for this article! AllthebestRoy
Have a 17' sailing canoe hanging in my garage presently. Kit bought end of 2016, build started 11/2/2019, launched mid-August of '21. I count it as a success but for a now clearly evident lack of motivation to use much.
That it's overly complicated for what I'd envisioned I'd be doing with it when I fell in love with the design, that it's an hour – or more – to the nearest sail-able bodies of water, that it takes another hour to set up then launch, same to recover... plus the slightly unsettling inherent instability it carries unless two are aboard or I've mounted the amas (designer's afterthought, which adds another fifteen minutes and seriously hinders ease of launch/ recovery) leave me with a desire to find her a new owner come spring.
Had gangs of fun during the build (got me through the Pandemic), made new friends (via builders' forum), learned a lot (materials, techniques, myself) in the doing.
Sounds like experience has been a good teacher. All your designs and actual fabrications should follow ABYC guidelines. Your completed yacht must be insurable so build photo archive of all work and seek out the help of a suitable surveyor for incremental inspections. Keep up the good work. mitchwitt.com
Good article. You’ll get there. You just don’t know where “there” is yet.