What a dirty, rotten, underhanded trick! All I came up with were photos of magnetos and carburettors, dirty, greasy ones... Caveat Emptor!!

BWAHAHAHAHA!
Ron

I obtained a sail number for my Pelican "Trixie B". I asked Muriel Short if she would dig up an old one from around 1966 when my boat was first registered with California DMV, and she did it. Trixie B will carry #140 before too much longer.

I'll be sending my sails to SailCare for their rejuvination process. I haven't seen any mention of them at any time on Duckworks.com or on the Yahoo forum. They quoted me around $90 to clean, apply new resin, replace logos and add numbers. I searched the Trailer Sailor forum and found numerous references to them. It seems to be a good company. In researching them, the biggest problem people have with them is the leadtime in the Spring and Summer. For people wanting "brand new" sails for serious racing, they need to get brand new sails instead of using SailCare. They're having a Fall special, and estimate four to six weeks turnaround right now. In the Spring, the leadtime is more like 14 weeks.

https://www.sailcare.com/index.shtml

I really enjoy Duckworks magazine. Today's trip down the Rhine took my mind off work quite nicely.

Regards,
Jerry Church
SF Pelican 12 #140 "Trixie B"

Awesome foils article. I've been wanting to make some NACA foils for Sea Fever but never had a good sense of how to approach the construction.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

All best,
Garth

Gavin Atkin is a writer and editor by profession, a wordsmith with a love of boats and boating. An Englishman, with roots deep in a country steeped in the history of boating, he has started a website where articles on rebuilds, restorations and new builds of very old designs will be featured.

Remember that the oldest working boat in the world is within a days drive of where he lives, she is 198 years old this year and still fishing, and that institutions like the Windermere Steam Museum, and the Bristol Maritime Museum with working and static exhibits that go back centuries are also within his reach.

There are very old steam tugs, square riggers such as The Cutty Sark and Victory, Small boats such as the Thames Wherries still available for hire, broads yachts, canal boats and ( my particular passion) the Solent punts, Falmouth Quay punts and Ichen Ferries all within his ability to get there and get articles to us. Its early days for the site and its editor yet, but if we all get in there and support him, we could have a real treasure.

https://intheboatshed.net

Do go and visit the website, contribute to it you can or just notify him of a webpage of interest, he deserves the support.

John Welsford

Look at Iowa Thin film,they're building solar hospital tents for the MASH units in Iraq. They have killer roll up solar "panels" at good prices! I have used them since they came out, in California central valley heat... very good ju-ju! On boats, cars and SAR comm units. Do you have/where can I get a set of bits for a Stanley brace? Many Tx
C Beard

I am preparing to build a couple of Birder kayaks (B&B Yacht Designs), and Graham specifies silane-treated tape for the seams. When this came up the last time (building my Core Sound 20) I asked the same question of RAKA, where I buy my epoxy, and they didn't know what I was talking about. I didn't either, so this time I looked it up: silane is a class of chemical additives that increase the bond strength between and epoxy and fiberglass, especially in the long term. Can you tell me if your tape is so treated? I'm especially interested in the 6oz biaxial tape in 6" width, but I'm also in the market for 4oz cloth.

Thanks!
Jeff Michals-Brown

PS: Thanks especially for Duckworks Magazine: I have become a confirmed addict, and a day seldom goes by that I don't check it!

MY first sail boat, over 40 years ago was a LOA 17, by Loman in SO. Calif. I would like to find out if any are possibly available today, as I had number 214, someplace I read that over 600 were made as I recall, and the boat in your article came from a fellow "coot" member, Pat Patteson. Really good sailing rig, and long berths, I sailed it from Marina Del Rey for years, graduated to a Cal 27 1/2 ton, and finally to a Mc Innes Samurai (hull #7), an all wood cutter rig 25 ft. on deck 30ft. with bow sprit and boomkin, built in Costa Mesa, Ca. A superb boat for smaller size livaboard, (cruising interior design by Eric Hiscock) and many trips to Catalina and Channel Islands over 20 years, before moving back home to Oregon. Hard to find data on this boat too, or maybe I just don't look in the right places?

When I contacted WoodenBoat magazine, I was told they did not know of the class. I figured they would have some sort of list, even if not wood, although the first ones were plywood totally. The earlier copies of Royces "Sailing Illustrated" had a listing of the class inside the cover, with many others. There the trail ended, perhaps your readers know a bit more about the boat?

I have seen one other, in a local marina, but would like to find one to restore to sailing condition. Any help would be appreciated. I have a set of sails for about a 14 ft. hull, which might do for a while on the LOA, or similar size boat. If I have to I could build a similar boat, but saving one of these would be a good way to go as well.

Thank You, Cal Drake - lendercal@yahoo.com

I'd like to posit the notion of a 'New' section for the store, in a similar fashion to that seen on the magazine. Not a daily [or maybe even weekly] update. Maybe a monthly update would be enough, or just 'last 20 items added' rolling over. Not infrequently I'll see something on the little banner-ads on the magazine and say to myself "I didn't know they had those". Of course when I need something specific then DW is now where I look first, and goodness knows I'm an infrequent purchaser, but I do wonder if there are sales to be generated by making a feature of new additions to the catalogue. Catering to the "I didn't know I needed that, but now I do" syndrome. As things stand I suspect you're adding goodies which I and others will not see until we're looking for something else.

cheers
Derek

Hi Chuck,

I came across this article from years gone by at: www.vintageprojects.com they have a selection of boat plans which will entertain your readers. This particular article is quite funny and coincidentally is almost exactly the way we built back yard boats 50 years ago.... when plywood was too expensive and waterproof glue was not available at the general store... but white lead and cotton string was...:^)

vintageprojects.com/boats/anyones-boat-plans.html

It's a good first project for anyone who has never built a lapstreak hull before.... only two boards per side!

Jack Panter

Hello Chuck,

We are getting a steady stream of searches... 24 today from your site, as near as I can tell.

Bruce Dilahunty
https://www.craftacraft.com

PDRacing Pioneer Succumbs to Leukemia

Doug (John) Day, who built PDRacer #1 was battling leukemia for a 2nd time and died October 12, 2006. He fought it off a few years ago and it was in remission. After the first battle, since it was a near death experience he looked at some of his life dreams that were not yet accomplished. One of his dreams was to build a boat from scratch. When the plans for the PDRacer came out, he jumped at them and built the first one.

We had a lot of fun racing during the first season and going to all the Houston area messabouts. He was a super friendly guy and a friend to
everyone. Here are some of those events:

https://www.shortypen.com/events/conroe6/doug/
https://www.shortypen.com/events/2004/pdr1/
https://www.shortypen.com/events/2004/twl1/
https://www.shortypen.com/events/lkcharl1/

His wife Denise hasn't made funeral arrangements as of this writing. If you knew Doug, you might consider dropping her a note at: daysatnight (at) houston.rr.com

We will miss you Doug.

Shorty

Well my Melonseed is finally in full swing. After two years of wrinkling the plans, collecting piles of lumber, ply and weird stainless steel bits that I dont actually know what to do with I am finally off and running. No more form tracing or building. Its time for the good stuff. I actually glued several carefully crafted chunks of wood to several other carefully crafted chunks of wood. No kit pieces. No preformed parts. Nothing pulled out of a box. Just well mated pieces of lumber carefully eyed and placed. Now they are firmly bonded together for the next few decades. I hope they agree with each other. Divorces are never pretty.

My friends come over and comment that its going to be a big boat. I tell them it will be much thinner than the forms make it appear to be. I use words like shearline and stem. They nod politely. I try to explain the concept of the boat's forms to them but it never seems to stick. My eleven year old wants to know why I have to be so careful with the parts that arent actually going to be in the boat. My wife simply wants it to be over. The dog has been the most patient with me and seems to approve of all that I do. But secretly I think he hangs out for the scraps of lumber and shavings from the plane.

Jim Farrelly
Augusta Georgia

Do you know of anybody who might have a set of plans for a scale vesion of HMS Pickle. I have been looking for a set so that I can built a scale model. Thus far I have built the HMS Fairfax as well as a 12 meter.

Any help would be much appreciated!
Chuck Mercer - Charles_Mercer@comcast.net

Chuck,

I just read the article on the puddle duck championship - what a great racing class. I particularly like the scrap of plywood trophy. What a recipe for great boating! - participation, friendly competition, having a laugh and a small investment of time and money.

Anyone that surfs boat building newsgroups will understand how easy it is to become focused on “the boat” rather than actually “using the boat”.

No doubt in 10 years the fleet will have carbon/kevlar rigs and vacuum laid up hulls but another class can always be invented!!

Mike

I've been exploring islands and national forest boardering a lake in western NC .Don't walk in the dark; let not your dog lick you! In a lifetime on my home island, haven't seen that much human feces. No wonder the Indians lost; when those people moved in, their world wasn't fit to live in or fight for! Shame! I suggest you list in your "hardware" section, shovels; and in "media" this book! The most of general public needs education and a kick in the arse!Only a visitor from another land but it's hard to respect anyone who shits and leaves it in the back yard!

B McKeough

Re my FatCat shallow draft keels--on my first sail they wouldn't bring the boat upwind--the best I could handle in about 10 knot wind was about 90 degrees to the wind. That made the first sail an adventure with my little trolling motor and a current in San Luis Pass. But I survived and built a leeboard, but the weather has been too nasty to try the board, so I am working on finding an outboard. Thanks to all who sent comments.

Ken Purdy

I thought I'd write and tell you how much I appreciate the quality of both the Bevel Boss and the Power Caulker I purchased from you.
The Bevel Boss is a superb tool that helps me get better results every time. I'm doing glued strip plank work using tubes of glue, and the Power Caulker has taken a real beating. It has performed perfectly and saved my slightly arthritic hands from complete destruction.

Thanks!

Norm Lehman

Being a senior citizen,, and a boater for the last 60 years, I have "been there, done that!" Or seen that!
Here is a short, true story you might find useful as a filler.

About nineteen fifty I occasionally went fishing with a friend of my Dad's. He was an interesting fellow. A large man, retired Marine, hunter and fisherman and to all appearances, fearless.

We got organized early and headed for the old "Sheldon reservoir" North of Houston, Texas where we rented a boat. The boat would be best described as a long pram or skiff. The bottom of the boat was made of one by six nailed laterally. The sides were of one by twelves.

Sheldon reservoir was more of a swamp. Shallow, full of stumps and brush. The water was generally about three feet deep with another two feet of mud below.

We loaded our gear and paddled the boat several hundred yards out toward a "sweet spot" that my friend knew. Just before we arrived the boat rubbed up against a small pile of brush. A three foot snake dropped into the boat.

My fearless fishing buddy leaped to his feet and with a mighty yell smashed the paddle down onto the snake. Two of the bottom boards were smashed and we immediately sank.

So there we were standing in a rented boat which was sitting on the bottom in three feet of dark water. No sign of the snake, dead or alive.

As Mr. Johnson calmed down, we gathered our gear and began the long wade to the bank where he suggested it might be best if we circled around to where his truck was parked. He mumbled something about dealing with the boat rental fellow later.

We never bothered to fish Sheldon again and I was sworn to secrecy.

Wayne McMinn (doc)

For Tom Elliott - LOA 17

Hi Tom,

I was an original owner of a fiberglass over wood, LOA 17 with a fixed 750' keel. I had to turn title of it over to the Ventura Marine boatyard when the broker that I left it with let his nephew sail it into an accident and left it in the yard for a year while I was a member of the USAF. I returned to find it with a repair and yard bill that far outstripped it's worth. The broker had left the area and couldn't be found. That was 36 years ago... Sweet boat at the time. I virtually lived aboard for several years (weekends and weeks during the summers). At the time I remember that is was a lightning hull that was trimmed down to 17'. Mine had the berth fwd and a built in head to starboard just inside the cabin area. I covered the boom with a tarp in bad weather. That was miserable living when it rained. Fortunately, I lived in Ventura, CA at the time so the rain was mostly mild and only a couple of days at a time.

cheers,
Chuck Patten

Redneck Houseboat

Hey Chuck

In Oktobers Reports there is a photo of a caravan on a float. It is from a trip of 600 km. in Sweden, made by the son of a guy, who is building a kind of picnicboats. Here is the address:

https://www.fornbobryggbatar.se/Kuriosa.html

Yours

Joern Knudsen
Denmark

Any More News on Seabiscuit?

Thanks for the new site.. Its interesting to see what people think (concern's) Harley is back at the float & has decided "To pack it in" & "go back home" .. IF he can get his help to come back & get him ... He appears to be short of money (he said that).. He ask me if the
berth (dock fee's) run's out if he could put the 'Seabiscuit " on beach in front of my property until help arrives .. Getting around the world is tough enough but without any money would be twice as bad in my opinion ... He said he's going get the "Lead " on the bottom of the keel, Its simply too "tippy" & the "window of the season" is getting late .. I told him he had you guys cheering for him (showed him your letter from last nite) I suggested he could do these test's in a lake down there ,, I wonder if sleeping in that craft may have got to him a bit also,,

Ken Gibson

Digging Around

Chuck.

I've been digging around Duckworks site for some time now and am really imprested with all your offerings. To be quite honest, graphically and content wise Duckworks shines brightly amongst other boating related sites.

Michael Hogan

Chuck:

I'm a member of the microcruising yahoo group and one of you grateful readers. There is no better place online to view study plans for small buildable boats. I want to thank you and yours for the work over the years.

But, about Harley.
Please let Ken & Dot Gibson know how grateful we are for their information and support. There are hundreds of us watching the saga and without their information we wouldn't know much at all and Harley wouldn't be getting any help.

So, despite the yammering by folks who have given up on grand dreams - Thank you for your interviews and continuing support of Harley.

The most frustrating thing for me, is that I live about 100 miles from Harley's home port; I don't have a suitable vehicle or nearly enough money to just go, pick them up and take them home.

BTW - I posted an entry into the comments as Boatbuilder Paul.

So, thanks for a bunch of different things

Paul Reppeto
Olympia WA

Hey Chuck,
This is far and away best how-to-sew-oar-leather page I've seen anywhere:

https://www.gartsideboats.com/leather.php

Mike

Ha, ha, well, as long as there is no instructional video, called 'How To Paddle A Man' on sale at Canoe Outfitters, it may remain an underground movement. Unless your wonderful wife decides its a good way to make extra money at Duckworks, to do a serious tongue in cheek CD for sale, and tap the HUGE market for it. Uh, please, no contest, for clips of guys getting paddled. Just not that... anything but that....

I agree we cannot stop people, if the damage is only to themselves, Harley's wife probably learned long ago that living with him required she accept his dream, because the dream helped him tolerate the banality of his life. It becomes real long before the adventure.

Maybe it was not real enough with Harley, before the adventure. However, you are a locus for a culture of boaters, its a lot of resources. Wouldn't it have been nice if it could have worked? It could work, but it would have to be a group effort, to design and fund an Atlantic crossing in a group project boat.

What I do not understand, is why its often the worlds smallest? Why not the worlds funniest, oddest? If one wants to be notorious, there are many ways to do it. A big Kevlar rooster, funded by Kentucky Fried Chicken, designed by Welsford, sailed by someone who wants to not end up scrambled after the trip but is scrambled enough to do it who has experience, and wants an Atlantic Crossing in a real Clucker.

Clucker? Isn't there a class of boat called a Clucker?

First Chicken Across the Sea? Endorsements locked into the process.

I have spent years on series of projects that were a total failure. They say the same thing in anyone's world:

"Why did they die DOING THAT STUPID STUFF?"

Many ways to sail, many ways to drown.

Roger P

Chuck,

Have you seen this guy's site? The Blue Sky Camp Kitchen Grub Box set ups are pretty nifty. He makes these compact units in kits and plans.

Check out the "Grubby One" original grub box.

https://blueskykitchen.com/

This is just for your info. I have no connection to this fellow.

Best,
Jim Hauer

Dear Chuck,

Lately, I have started to watch a really great TV show called "How It's Made" (I think on the Discovery Channel). Basically, each episode shows you how they make modern goods in an industrial setting; from contact lenses to safety glasses to neon signs. The show is produced in Quebec Province, Canada, and most of the plants showcased are located there.

Two episodes are really informative to boatbuilders. One episode shows the making of an RV trailer, from welding the basic frame, to the fresh water, waste and greywater tanks to the plumbing and wiring to the plywood skin to the aluminum skin to the interior to the roof. I was very impressed by the way they adhered an EDPM roofing material to the plywood roof deck. Just the thing for a houseboat!

The other interesting episode was making an airplane - from epoxy,fiberglas and carbon fiber. First you see a really nifty machine dispense epoxy-soaked glass cloth to a waiting crew of 10 suited/gloved member. They use extra epoxy to ease everything into a female mold , then apply carbon fiber where needed, then some sort of thick batting material (to absorb excess epoxy, then a vacuum bagging set up. Then they bake it at low heat. They made it seem so easy!

Fair winds to all.

Bob Patterson

Chuck,

Can you put this question out there for me?

Does anyone know of good (sail)boat access only camping (like the kind you could reach in your Mayfly 14 for example) in the midwest? I saw that Lake Lou Yaeger in Litchfield Illinois has "boat only access" campsites. Has anyone ever been there?

Thanks in advance.

-Tom Burton [tom_burton@yahoo.com]

Hey,

A note to tell you what we've been doing this summer. We're not through yet, but with only 450 miles to go [the Kentucky lakes, the Tennessee river and the tenn/tombigby canal] I thought I might take a minute to bring you up to date.

The start this spring, was rather unusual for us. After several years of salt water voyaging, we decided to attempt to travel through the fresh water canals of north America. Those specifically being the Erie, Oswego, Rideau, Trent/Severn, and the river system to Biloxi, Miss.

The question became the boat to do this trip. We own a 31' trimaran, and understood perfectly that this was not the boat for the task. Much internet research followed. The boat was not obvious! Cheap to buy, economical to operate, shallow draft, livable interior and easy to resell were the criteria. Our usual requirements of fast and seaworthy were not in the mix. The top speed in the canals is 10 k.p.h and how seaworthy do you need to be in an 8' deep 150' wide canal?

The boat that presented several times was -- several deep breaths --the MacGregor 26 X. Please reflect a minute before laughing so hard that to continue reading is impossible. All my requirements are met in this, the definition of a plastic, bathtub boat. We left the sail rig at home, we didn't need it for the canal trip and frankly don't ever plan to sail the boat, as mentioned, we have a modern 31' tri at home, arguably one of the best sailing boats in the word, why would I care to sail a MacGregor? However, The rarely used 50 H.P. outboard is perfect for putting the 25' along at 6 knots. While a diesel would have gotten better mileage, the outboard gets 1 1/4 Gallons an hour, and was acceptable. The interior is almost perfect having plenty of room in a well thought out format. Draft 9", and while not what I would consider seaworthy, when you load the water ballast in she stiffens up and is able to handle wind and waves better than I expected.

Is this a testimonial for MacGregors? No, but I have built up a grudging respect for the boat in 2300 miles and 4 months of use.
After a near disastrous crossing of Lake Huron and another graphic display of my ability to misread weather, we decided to trailer the boat around Lake Michigan. A decision I maintain as one of my minutes of clarity in an otherwise muddy life.

Our trip is continuing, we're back in areas of small waves and downhill currents, the perfect setting for a MacGregor. But the meaning of the phrase " Different horses for different races " has become clear to me this summer. Boat safe,

Lee Martin

Hi Chuck,

Rowing is more energy efficient than paddling, or so I think.

However facing astern one can never be sure exactly where one is going when rowing. My son, when out in "his" first boat (a one sheet skiff which you have seen... and will float Shorty, barely) would rather "row" pushing than pulling so he could see where he went.

I wonder.... Has anyone made up a "rear view mirror" or perhaps better stated a "forward view mirror" for rowboats?

I envision a "C" clamp with a rod welded on it, with a mirror attached. It would clamp on the transom and be adjusted so that the person rowing could see ahead.

Just an idea. I have not yet made such a device, but am tempted to give it a try.

Gerard Mittelstaedt

Hey Chuck,
I thought Duckworks was all about, you know, boats. What the hell is this thing? A cross between the Batmobile and the Starship Enterprise?
:-)
Mike

Chuck -

I just wanted to drop you an email to say "Thanks" for running such a great online magazine, and store. Duckworks is part of my morning news routine, and the first thing I consult when things get sticky on my project.

Which I will send pictures of, someday....

Thanks again!

Peter Christian

I'm not sure what's gotten into me - I'm stongly considering building Penguin. My wife thinks it will keep me out of trouble.

Anyway, I just placed an order. I have no idea where I'll moor her, store her or how the hell to flip her and cast that chunk of lead. Hopefully I'll have it all figured out by the end of the build (if I get that far!).

I did go to the trouble to loft her plan full size on my driveway. Photo coming in subsequent e-mail...

Ciao!

Tom Hamernik

I started whole hog in June. I set up the shop for a one off build, built the strongback, lofted, cut and erected forms. Glued up transom, ripped parts for stem and chines. Practiced scarfing on luan which proved a very good exercise, and generally stayed motivated. Things screeched to a halt when my kids got out of grade school for the summer.

Since my actual job is to be on top of my kids they consume all of my stay at home dad free time every summer. I am waiting for them to start school in two weeks. July 5th I caught a bad flu for three (3) - read 'em and weep - weeks. I am now better but weak and have gathered more of the supplies to tear into this thing. I will then turn into a blur of shavings, sawdust, plans, consternation and boat building books.

I have come to the conclusion that when undertaking an excursion into the unknown, with the unknown being how to build a sailboat, there is a level of inefficiency that is soon realized and accepted. I spend about 25% reading the plans/books and deciphering how to accomplish what I have to do for a particular step in a project. Then I spend 25% of my time completing that step. The remaining 50% of my time is spent locating and obtaining what I need for the next step. Repeat cycle. Its all engaging and fun. The hunt can open new worlds. I found a great source for clear cypress 5 minutes from my house. Buttery clear stock in good lengths. Didnt even know those guys were there.

SCA really is a fun magazine. SavannahDan is in upstate NY for most of the summer and didnt know about the cover photo until I called. He seemed pleased. Who wouldnt be?

https://community.webshots.com/album/549884934uKYsKT

Jim

Hello -- If you are not sick of poetry yet, here's one you can use at some point. The line lengths are variable, as is the rhyme scheme: don't worry, it's all on purpose, not a damaged e-mail file ;-) -- I simply prefer semi-structured free-verse. True, the word "busyness" is not in the dictionary but it ought to stay spelled that way and not become "business." --best regards -- Wade Tarzia

Let's anchor in this double-armed bay
that enfolds our ship and flanks her from the way
of toil. Let's stow the sails for now, unship the masts
to make the vessel need to stay, and while this lasts
we'll know we've come to hear, to see, to lean on a rail,
to doze against a coil of rope, to bathe with dipping pail.

We’ll have time
to smell the strange yet knowable scents of foreign
blooms that swell in curves of petals like enough
to waves curling yet slow,
slow. We’ll wrest time from clocks to study
what a curve is and
understand all of nature's lines.

Even a sailing ship moves fast enough to bring things soon;
dread the too-quick-pace, the busyness, the active afternoon,
when lines and thoughts and sounds are all blurred, and melodies
of the world are work-songs for getting something merely done.

You and I for now recline on this stripped ship;

can you hear

the parrots arguing? Do you smell

the fallen leaves?

Lash the tiller, please, for now we anchor to see the glow

of marsupial eyes on bending branches. For us

the wisdom of the slow.

 

Chuck,
I had a chance to sail the Piccup Squared this weekend.
The boat sails beautifully. It points quite high into the wind and sails at all other points very well.
This I credit largely to the sail. I am very pleased with the sail and believe it performs at least as well as the Bhondell sail I have for my AF3. Thanks for all of you help in getting the sail to me so quickly.
I have attached a few pictures to this email.

Thanks
Chris Feller

Folks,

The Arkansas Messabout starts Friday September 22 and runs through Sunday September 24 -- only 5 and half weeks away. We will have some newly launched boats this year. Larry Pullon wrote me about his new creation:

"It is a 18' cypress stripper tunnel hull trout boat that folds up to 10'. The boat I built last year, Longjon, was the prototype. I decided to cut down to 18' to make the front easier to fold. Looks like I will be able to fold it by myself - which was a major goal! Power is a 2000 Merc 9.9."

I will have my newly finished 18-foot daysailer, if plans do not go awry. It is a stretched, Michalak Toon2 below the waterline. Above the waterline, it is inspired by Michalak's daysailers. The rig is
my rendition of Bolger's standing lug (Rig no.16 from 101 sail rigs). My family will also have our modified June bug and Mill Creek 13.

The pavilion is ours all day Saturday, which will provide cover in case of rain, or too much sun. The evening we will have potluck in the pavilion and will grill a raft of chicken.

Please let me know if you plan to attend, and of course all of us are interested in the boat(s) that you will bring.

I will soon post some specific road directions to the messabout.

Here links to the park:

https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/park.asp?id=6

https://www.swl.usace.army.mil/navigation/mckarns.html

The state park here is very nice with visitor center/museum and camping facilities for tents to RVs, ramps, shower, and marina. Access highways are very good from scenic Hwy 7 (north/south route) or Interstate 40 (east/west).

Ramp use is free. There is a fine sandy beach that is 50 paces from the pavilion. Boats may pull up on the beach at any time and overnight on the beach.

Weather forecast for planning your wardrobe: average high for Sept 23, 82 (record high 91), average low 56 (record low 42) Sunrise 7:01, Sunset 7:08

Phil Lea
111 Evergreen Estates Dr.
Russellville, AR 72802
479-967-4922 home
479-747-0389 cell

Chuck:

Just thought I would tell you I finally got around to installing the Line-Lok™ Cleats I bought over a year ago onto the cover of my boat. The cover had had a tendency to crawl off in cross winds when secured by bungees, and I hoped the cleats would cure that, but at the same time was a bit worried that the cleats would remain secure in 70 mph winds. Last week I spent eight hours on the road with the boat (Waukegan to Union MI and back) and the cleats were WONDERFUL; easy to snug, easy to release, and they absolutely stayed put. Thanks.

By the way, the sailing was great; there was no wind until the moment the boat hit the water, and then we did 17 miles in four hours (on Diamond Lake in Cassopolis, MI); we even did an inadvertent "hat overboard" drill and got the hat back!

Paul Haynie

I don't have pictures developed yet (digital camera on the fritz), but I wanted to let you know that the Mayfly 14 is a wonderful little boat, and got big complements too... like "Blow harder, you'll go faster" from all the power boaters.

Nevertheless, my brothers and I had a great time sailing her in the wake infested waters of Lake Shelbyville, Illinois. (I thought the wakes were some of the best parts, actually).

No surprises, and very stable. Infact, I found that except for the hardest winds of the weekend, it was best to have the weight of the passengers evenly distributed: the boat just doesn't want to heel much under the winds we saw.

It easily held two brothers and me: I need to get some cushioned pants, though.

Thanks again

Tom Burton

Hi Chuck,

I'm an old retired person who played with little tin pop-pop boats before WW2 when they were probably the favorite toys for brats like me. They haven't changed much since then, so I tried to find a yahoo group that discusses pop-pop boats. All that I found was stuff about fathers ,popular music, bands, actresses and stuff like that. I decided the only way I would find a discussion group for pop-pop boats would be to start one. It still isn't much of a group and there hasn't been much discussion. I would like to have a link to the pop-pop-steamboats yahoo group at:

https://groups.yahoo.com/group/pop-pop-steamboats/

for any other old guys who would like to swap stories and notions for developing new kinds of pop-pop boats.

Best wishes,
Frank McNeill, old retired guy in Houston, Texas

Chuck,
Your brass straps are helping me steer my WoodPussy in the photos on this link to John Ellsworth's website. John Ellsworth has given permission to provide this link to your readers if you wish. John and I will both attend the 60th WoodPussy National Regatta on the 15-16th of this month in red Bank New Jersey at the Monmouth Boat Club. The Woodpussy class website is located at www.uswpca.org. Regards, Tony DEloia

Hi Chuck,

I was having a bit of a hard day so I thought I'd hop on to your site and have a read, always enjoy it, and what do you know, there Arinar is staring back at me. Talk about make my day. I was so excited to see it I'm ready to sign autographs.

As a follow up, she is now ready to launch and I'll be taking pic's and finishing a write up.

I've made a new web site with new photo's, articles like sail making, part 4 of the build and an email contact and good links. It also loads faster. - https://arinar.bravehost.com

Regards Craig McEwan

Dear Chuck:
I've noticed every so often you'll print a poem. Here's my stab at describing sailing. Wish I had a picture!
Jeremy Eisler

Hi,
There used to be a boatbuilding club in Portland, OR. I can't remember the name of it but it was headquartered in Oaks Park. In looking for it the thought came to me that it would be nice if there were a listing of such clubs somewhere - and where better than Duckworks? I know it's a lot easier to suggest that someone else do the work than to do it myself, but it's something to think about, anyway...

--Brian M. Godfrey
brian@wildbirdshop.com

Here's a tip for carrying small boats. I take a pencil and mark the centre of balance of my boats at various points, eg gunwhales, keel, chines. It makes it easy to see where to grab the boat and pick it up at exactly the centre of balance. There's no balancing act to get the boat level once it's in the air. Finding the center of balance is easy. Lay a length of 2x4 on the ground and move the boat back and forth on it until it balances.
--
William R Watt

Chuck:

The current issue of Water Craft magazine (published in the UK) has an interesting article in which a builder/designer of a tortured ply canoe used a comb joint (looks like the one in the article I submitted to you last September or so) to join plywood together. What's really interesting is that I also developed my similar joint in the context of a tortured plywood canoe design.

David B. Kagan

Hi Chuck,

It's not very boat-related, but I used a bunch of your Sunbrella material to upohlster an sort of Arts and Crafts-style couch I made from some domestic cherry and walnut we cut and had sawed up a couple of years back at the wife's parents' place. Sunbrella is hard to beat for boat stuff, but with two baby girls making a mess all day, I figured it would also work well for the couch, and it has. No stains, reasonably comfortable texture to sit and lie on, easy to work, and the price can't be beat for the quality of material.

Here is a .

Cheers,

Brian

Chuck,

This (see below) dropped into my in-tray a couple of days ago and strikes me as something that at least some of your readers may be interested in!

I note from Woodenboat that Gypsy Moth IV (of Gipsy Moth Circles The World fame) has been refitted and is currently pursuing a second circumnavigation although, despite having six crew and a full complement of modern navigational kit they still managed to stuff her onto a reef 150 miles east of Tahiti! There's a moral in there somewhere. Those interested may follow her progress at https://www.gipsymoth.org/

I hope you and yours are well.

Cheers

Al Wasey

Chuck,

Found this link while ordering a hitch receiver, and thought DW readers might be interested. These tents would be great for messabouts and just low-budget traveling. The truck bed tents look like they would possibly make a good camp-cruising rig for the right boat as well.

https://trucktoys4less.com/sportructen1.html

Stacy D. Smith

Hi Chuck,

I don't know if you want to inform your web page reader's, but someone tried to scam me for thousands of dollars by offering to buy my Redwing that I have for sale on your web page.

The guy said he was from Holland, and his e-mail address is fatty bruce3000@yahoo.com. He sent me a check for 25,506.76 dollars. Of that, I was to send a check for 10,506.76 to his shipper. I took the check to the bank and found out it was a fraud. The check is bogus!!

Ken Duda

A source you may not know about is McMaster Carr.

In the old days you had to have an open account to order but now credit cards work. They don't play games with shipping either. They have everything that you can think of from an industrial supply house. Their catalog is online and over 3000 pages.

CaptLarryN

Hello,

This really is a rags to riches tale. Its probably the only mixed race team in the Americas Cup and they are bonding and doing very well too. Will you do a links to the main story? Lots going on every day.

https://www.imc.org.za/content/view/28/42/

Roy McBride

Chuck (and Sandra):

The July/August "Small Craft Advisor" came on Tuesday, and there was my friend Chuck Leinweber on the cover, doing his best (very creditable) Ted Turner impersonation. Very, very cool. Also a great article.

Paul Haynie

Chuck and Sandra,

During the last ten months I was extremly busy with my postgraduate architectural programm. On a recent weekend I was graduated at least, and from now on I'm ready to go boating and write stories for Duckworksmag again!

Wojtek Baginski

Hi Chuck

Thanks for publishing my story about the origins of what we are now calling the SBC (for Savannah - Beaufort - Charleston) Classic Boat Rally.

This year in the last week of April we had six participating classic designed boats to join in part or all of the journey up the Intracoastal Waterway from Savannah to Charleston. For a first attempt at organizing an event like this, I think most agreed that it was great fun and something that will surely grow over the years.

Sail magazine sent a writer and a photographer to cover the story and I understand it will be in the August issue, perhaps the lead story.
Peter Neilsen, editor of Sail, said that he believes the article will generate a significant amount of interest for next year's rally and urged me to set up a web site for the magazine to refer readers to.

So, I have created the site and would be pleased to link it to Duckworks. I also would be honored if you would provide a link to my site for your readers who could have an interest in joining our event next year. My site is www.ClassicBoatRally.com . I hope that you will have a continuing interest as our event grows and matures. Thanks again.

Woody Norwood

Hi Chuck.

I know that you're probably swamped in emails, but I wanted to thank you for the quick service and great product. I had the replacement footbraces on my kayak in no time and couldn't be happier with them. I look forward to getting more boat "stuff" from you in the future.

Rick Steingress

Chuck:

Here is a letter I got recently:

Harley

My Response:

Our "London correspondent/boatbuilder" Martin Wiedenmeier is now living in England with his wife and son due to his wife's job and sent this link along to me. https://public.fotki.com/MWAustin/boats/
Enjoy.

Steve Lansdowne

Gday,

Before I write too much, I’ll just say I’ve sent this email to everybody in my contact list, and if I’ve ever sent someone an email then they’re in my contact list, so if you’re a business or a random person that doesn’t know who James Francis is, I’ve just sent this too you because I probably sent you an email five years ago or something. (in this case, James wrote some nice articles for Duckworks - Chuck)

Anyway, starting from next Monday, my friend Lachie Paramor (with whom I sailed the 14ft cat to Brisbane with) and I and are heading down to Adelaide, and we’re bringing with us 2 gigantic skateboards with windsurfer rigs on them. The reason for this is we’re going to sail up the Stuart highway for a few weeks until we reach Darwin.

Before you throuw us in the Looney bin, I’ll just say that unlike our other adventures we are actually doing this for a purpose. We’re raising money for ‘Father Chris Riley’s Youth Off The Streets’. And thanks to our three sponsors, Steve Jarvin Motors, Manly Skateboards, and Tasman Sails at Airlie Beach, we are able to give 100% of the proceeds that we raise to Youth Off The Streets.

Youth Off The Streets supports chronically homeless and drug addicted young Australians, with the aim of having everyone that leaves their care to be drug free, with a high school education, living skills and a full or part time job in hand.

Lachie and I are well aware that, growing up on the North Shore playing with bikes and boats and surfboards, and our biggest stresses usually being something like “I just don’t have enough spare time anymore!”, our lives are a little bit different to the 15 year old homeless kid, whose normal thoughts are something like “I wonder if I can get any food today” and “does anyone really care about me anyway?”. So for that reason we chose to raise money for Youth Off the Streets.

So by this stage you’ve probably detected that the reason for this email is to ask you for money, so if you’d like to make a donation to this charity please print out this form, fill it out, attach a cheque and then post to James Francis, 46 Stuart St, Longueville, NSW 2066 Australia. Alternatively you can fill out the form, and make your donation with cash, but you’ll probably have to give it to me in person.

If you make a donation and would like to make it a tax deduction, send me an email after you transfer the money through with your address and Youth Off The Streets, can send you through a receipt.

If you are unable to, or don’t want to make a donation, maybe you could forward this email to a few of your friends or relatives.

If you’ve got any questions about any of this, or you’re wondering if we’re still alive in a couple of weeks time feel free to give me a call on 0405 255 595.

Cheers
James Francis

Hi Chuck.

I'm a Cape Cutter 19 (Dudley Dix) home builder, and duckworks fan. I learn a lot of things with you.

Best Regards
Sérgio Vianna, Curitiba, Brazil.

Chuck,

My son finally found the time to do the links on our website. I think it adds considerable to my site and will help yours as well. I think he said there are 8 links. I like what he did. Hope you do too.

https://www.skiffamerica20.com/

How was your canyon trip?

Kilburn Adams

Circular saw blade that cuts curves and circles check it out. arcusblade.com

Barbara