I suppose nearly everyone visiting this forum has built a boat, or two, and has answered the questions and heard the nice comments at each boat launch, as well as, enjoyed the thumbs up exchanges with other boats on the water and cars passing on the highway. I sure have, but this phenomenon may have a more robust life out here in the interior where boats like the ones we build are not all that common.
Last week I experienced the most unexpected boat ramp conversation yet. As Joan and I hauled our OB20 up the ramp and began to tie it down and do the other things to get ready to leave, I noticed a tall gentleman with a floppy sun hat watching us and grinning. I knew that very soon I would be answering all those standard questions and perhaps encouraging him to build a boat of his own. We were at Starvation Reservoir, a state park in North Central Utah.
Ready for him to ask if I had restored that boat, he shocked me and said, “That's an Outer Banks 20 and your name is Carter, isn't it?”.
I was speechless. Steve and Dianna, who enjoy restoring old boats and airplanes, were camping their way from Little Rock, Arkansas, where they are restoring an eighty-year-old Stinson, to their home in Seattle. They enjoy visiting state parks along the way. They chose Starvation because of its convenient location straddling US40 and, of course, the curious name. Steve told me he spotted us on the water from his campsite and recognized the boat as an Outer Banks 20 and knew whose it was on account of the 'swoosh' on the side. Steve is obviously a frequent visitor to the Messing About/BandB Yacht Designs forum...and an avid boat guy.
Completing our work on the ramp and ending the nice conversation, Joan and I took off. After a few miles of silence, we looked at each other and said, “What are doing?” and returned to the campground to search for out-of-state license plates hoping to find Steve's campsite. Steve and Dianna followed us home for dinner and a night at our place. The following morning they departed for Bear Lake State Park on the Utah/Idaho state line.
You meet the nicest people pursuing this hobby. I'm sure we will stay in touch with Steve and Dianna and visit them in Washington someday...maybe even meet them at Port Townsend for the boat festival.
Another nice surprise and benefit of this boatbuilding hobby was running into this gentleman and his wife last month while Joan and I were on a bike and boat cruise through the Czech Republic. Dan and Sherri are from Chicago; Dan builds beautiful model boats.
A few words about the boat. The last time I posted I mentioned having some electrics to finalize, a little interior trim work to finish and rubrails to fabricate and install. The problem with launching the boat before it was really ready is my list now includes all the above, plus fabrication and installation of a small bowsprit for the anchor roller, companionway doors and hatch, plus its already time for a few maintenance items. Still the best hobby and the very best boat for me.