Blacksmith

Well, the fair was over on the 30th of July, and we took Emily's pram to Allouez Bay on the 31st. IT FLOATS!!!! Here are some photos of the big event. Thanks again for all your support. Stephen

I have decided that boat builders are, as a group, some of the nicest people in the world. The fair went about how I thought it would. The judge did not look at any of the photos that Emily had, nor the plans, nor did he ask about the building of the pram. He asked what is this? A hatch. Why did you glue the seams the way you did? To hold the boat together. He then went on to say the paint had some runs, it was not smooth, and it could have been better. He seemed to expect cabinet finish and fit on all projects. I thought that Emily would be disappointed, but she was OK. I found out why when her older sister called to find out how things went at the fair. She told her sister, "the judge gave me a red on the pram, but that does not matter, because the guys on the internet said I did a good job, and THEY KNOW, cause they build boats too". In the past year there were days I wondered if we would ever see the pram done. This has been a huge boost for her, because of you folks. Thank you seems so inadequate, but I do not know what else to say. Stephen

My daughter Emily who is 17 and has CP, finished her pram and has entered it in the local fair. I did give her a little help, but I think she did a great job! I might be a bit proud of her though. I told her the judge might not like the fact that it is not as smooth as some production boats, her reply, "I don't care dad, I built a boat!" Thanks for letting me share! Stephen

Once again my lack of proof reading shows! Micro Trawler is correct. Can I just blame it on my daughter getting married last week and the stess of that event? :oops:

Micro Tawler (Someday) Pram ( Trinkel ) Thanks, a great idea!

Now if I would just SEE the whole title before I hit the send button....... Blacksmith :oops:

I spoke with my local insurance agent about getting coverage for the Micro Trawler. I was informed that they do not cover HOME MADE boats! I told him that home made boats are stronger, safer, and much better looking than a store bought one, but that did not help. And they have no idea where I may be able to get insurance if I can get it at all. Hence the question, any ideas about a company or agent that would write coverage on a home made boat? I will try to post some photos of the progress later today. I have been spending a fair amount of time with a couple things like work and getting a daughters wedding planned, and that has not left a lot of time for staying in touch with you all.

I posted some photos of my progress in the gallery section. They are waiting to be approved as I write this. Sorry for the delay, I have been cooking syrup for the past few days. Like boat building, it is a labor of love. Also time, burned finger and smoke in the eyes.

Sorry for the delay, I was trying to post from work but the cyber cops keep me from doing that. Stump, I do not have a link yet, but I do have photos and will try to put together an album of what I h ave done so far. Thanks again for all the kind words! Blacksmith

OK, I may be a bit hyper sensitive. No, I am a bit hyper sensitive. Sorry about that and thanks for the understanding. As I said, I have been lurking, and have never found any nasty or hurtful replies. It's a long story... She was tall, flaxen hair....Nope, wrong story I have a daughter with CP, and the things that I have been told about why she has CP, and the things said about her have made me a touch devensive. My daughter and I are building a Micro Trawler and a Pram. I am doing the work on the trawler, she is building the pram. We plan on using them on Lake Superior and other local inland lakes. I live in NW Wisconsin, where it is still about 15 degrees at night. Makes it hard for the epoxy to set up. And I am anxious to get back to work. I got the hull done in October. Built the trailer over the real cold weather, and had a bunch of folks over one afternoon and we flipped the hull onto the trailer. I am starting on the bulkheads, and was looking at the stuff I NEED to buy. My wife and I have a difference of opinion on what is a need and a want. One of the things I do need is steering. I have seen some boat plans that call for a drum and cable set up, and ones that call for a Teleflex system. I am leaning toward the Teleflex, but was wondering if there was an advantage to the drum and cable. They cost about the same, soooo... is there any advantage to one over the other. Thanks

i have been lurking for a bit, not sure if I should ask anything as I have been burned in the past. Seems like a somewhat civil bunch, so I will give it a try. Steering. What type do you recomend, and why? Cable and drum or Teleflex push pull. Thanks, Blacksmith