Blacksmith

Dingo, Thats what the burgers are for! I hear they help the boat slip right along! Actually, the county park is on Lyman Lake, right next to the boat launch, so we can launch, give ride (if it floats) and have a bit of a party. Any of you feel like a road trip, let me know, you can sure join us! I hung the motor on last night, now I need to balance the trailer and get those hull plates on. I am being slowed down some as our oldest daughter and son-in-law graduate from college next week, and they want us there. Strange kids! I will be in Doc's part of the world, and wish the boat was all done so I could bring it along. There is the lake called Cave Run that looks like it would be a fun one to be on. Thanks again all of you for looking! Stephen

Dingo, Thank you for your kind words! I know that most folks here are building sail boats, and mine is not. But I need to share, and the people on this site have been VERY kind to me and to my daughter Emily. I am just glad when people look at the photos of the Micro Trawler A sail boat is not really an option for us due to some medical/physical issues, but that is not a big deal. What is a big deal is that we have been encouraged and supported by you, and that means a lot. We are planning a launch on Saturday the 26th of May at a local park, with burgers and potato salad. Nothing real big, just fun. And I will be posting photos of that event as well. Thanks to all who look at the photos of the Micro Trawler, and the Pram that Emily built!

Ray, I read the CG stuff on Tuesday, and my head still hurts! I really liked the part about sink the boat, and see how much water it took. I am going to go with no on that plan. I am going to stop by a boat dealer on the way home from work on Friday, and take a look at the 15 and 16 footers there. Might be some good information for me. Thank you all for your input, I will let you know what I come up with. Stephen

Ray, I added 4 feet to the hull. Plan is 14'6", mine ended up 18'4". The formula that I saw was something like width times length divided by something else. I just have no idea what the else was Do you think it would it be helpful to contact the Coast Guard? Stephen

The state sent me the hull number and license number for the Micro Trawler, and in the stuff that I read, I need to get a capacity plate. Some where I saw a calculation for capacity, but cannot find it. Do any of you know how I go about calculating the capacity of my boat? Thanks Stephen

Well, it was a warm sunny day in Northern Wisconsin, and the Micro Trawler Someday left the safety of the garage today. It went well. Not too bad, no major wounds. It was a close shave, but it DID get out the door without having to remove any trim. Here are a couple photos of the big event.

First, Steve, God's best for you and your son. I will be praying for both of you. Second, Frank, thank you for this forum, and for letting us share this sort of need as well as stuff about boats. We need each other at times like this, and you help make that possible. Stephen

The Micro Trawler almost done. It still needs some paint inside, and a couple other little things. But the main problem I am looking for help with is painting the trailer. I have the boat on the trailer, and now I need to paint it. I have a couple ideas. One, paint as much as I can, take the boat to the lake, put it in the water and finish painting the trailer at the boat launch. Or, put the boat in the water, I go fishing, send my wife home with the truck and the trailer, she paints the trailer and comes back to get me. I am thinking that is not the best idea. Or, should I try to take the boat off the trailer in the yard, paint the trailer and put the boat back on the trailer? Not sure how that would work, so I am looking for suggestions. Who ever decided to make such a large boat anyway? I am not sure if I do that how I would get the boat back on the trailer in the yard. This is a some what involved process. I have to get the boat off, remove the bunks, paint the frame, reinstall the bunks and re-carpet them. Any suggestions? Or, does anyone want to just come over and watch? Thanks, Stephen

About a month ago, I was going to post an update on the Microtrawler and the progress on the wheelhouse. We had a bit of a set-back. On February 2, I could not sleep, was up in the chair and smelled something odd. Fire in the chimney and water heater. Got the girls up and out, called the fire department, and they got the fire out in about 2 hours. No major damage, but a lot of smoke, and a mess. The only real loss was the camera that got dropped in the clean up So, a bit late, but happy to be able to still post these. Stephen

I had wanted to work on the Micro Trawler, take a few photos, post them here, that sort of stuff. The temperature never got above zero today. Currently minus 12, with a wind chill of about minus 40. I am making progress, and if I can get to the garage tomorrow, I will try to post a couple pictures of the wheel house and galley. Stay warm! Stephen

It does not look like the mess about at the harvest fest in Duluth will work for this year. They are not too keen on stink boats, and as that is the only one I can tell them for sure will be there.... I may see if the power squadron will help put one on. I will keep you posted. Stephen

It is 5:23 am here, and 4 below zero (F). Don't think I will get much done on the boat today Stephen

I have been asked if there would be any interest in having a mess-about in the Duluth Harbor next September. The anual Harvest Festival and Kite Fly is held each September, usally the second weekend. The park and rec guy asked if there would be any folks with home made sail or paddle powered boats that would be interested in a get together at the same time. Since I have never been to a mess about, much less helped set one up, I am in need of some help. This is the sustainable agriculture group, so no real interest in big power boats, but very interested in human and wind powerd. So, anyone interested? If so, what sort of stuff would be needed? What cost, if any, could be expected? What sort of accommodations would be needed? Thanks for your input. Stephen

You guys have it sweet! We have 15 right now with the wind out of the NW. I had a balmy 8 degrees this morning when I got up. Temps like that really mess with the paint I forgot to bring in from the garage. Stay warm!

Just wanted to say thanks again for all the support all of you have been to Emily and I this year, and Happy Thanksgiving to all. Drive safe, enjoy the time with friends and family, and Thank You! Stephen

I like the color too! But I have to confess, Emily chose the color scheme. Same color on her pram, so they match Another reason, I just did not want a white boat. the roof is white to reflect heat and sun light, but I wanted the rest to have some more color. I will try to post more photos as I get more of the interior done. Bob, thanks for making the drive up to see the boat, any one else that is in the area and wants to stop by. just let me know. Stephen

John, I am hoping to make it to the Minnesota Mess about in June on Lake Pepin. That might be closer, and if I make it there, you can ride on the boat as well. I had hoped to get there this year, but just did not get the boat done. Oh well, I am only a year off. If you feel the need for a road trip. you are welcome to head up here and see it also. Stephen

Well, winter has arrived faster than expected. We have the Micro Trawler ready to get wet, but not done. An executive decision was made to wait until spring. We could have dropped the 9.9 on her, and putted around the lake, but it would not have been done. So, we are going to get all the inside stuff done over the winter, and in the spring, really get wet. I am some what disapppointed, but would rather have it all ready before I put it on the water. We got the paint on the hull before it got too cold, finished putting the windows in and I have the windsheild on order. Also picked up a small heater so I can work in comfort all winter Stephen

That looks SO good. I am fighting 25 degrees and blowing snow, not going on the water any time soon. Thanks for the photos!

Jeff, I see you and the boys on these adventures, and I can't wait to get my boat in the water. You look like you guys have lots of fun. Thanks for sharing these.

Oh boy oh boy oh boy.... I got paint all over the boat tonight. Well, not just me, but we. Emily, my wife and I got primer inside the wheel house and out side, now we need to prime the hull. Emily recoreded the event. It has been over a year so far, but the end is in sight! A couple photos.

OK, the laughter in this house is getting to me. If it does not work this time you will all have to use your imaginations. :shock:

The second photo is of me, and the board is VERY smart. It will not let me post it. I did not know that there was a anit-ugly guy coverd with sawdust filter on the board! I may even try one more time. Much to Emily and my wife's amusement!

NOt sure what I did wrong, the second photo did not show up, so I will try again.

We spent the day making dust. Lots of dust. My wife, Emily and I sanded on the hull of the Micro Trawler today. I had hoped to get some paint on the boat today, but it will be a couple more days before that happens. Here are a couple photos.