Bill Paxton

Wowzers! That's one beautiful boat. I bet she sails just as good as she looks. Well done!

Attaching the flag to the sail was a head scratcher. I finally decided to use a cap clip (two aligator clips with the ends connected by a piece of string). I ran the string through the eyelet on the flag, and snapped both aligator clips onto the edge of the sail. This year I'm putting another grommet in the sail so I can tie the bottom of the flag through the grommet, and give the cap clip back to my wife. She's tired of having her hat blow off.

I can't seem to create a decent link to the photo. It's in my photo album on Yahoo. If you like, feel free to visit it at http://photos.yahoo.com/paxton_consulting and click on Sailing Surprise.

Here's a picture of "Surprise" heading into the dock. You can see her flag flying from the top of the peak.

Great to hear from you, Dave. Believe it or not I was wondering the other day how progress was coming on your Weekender. The last pictures I saw made it clear that you were doing a first-rate job, and that the finished boat would be a beauty. I look forward to sailing with you.

Congratulations, Ed! She's a real beauty. Looks like you did an outstanding job on her. You've got a very fun summer ahead as you get to know your new boat. I hope you fully enjoy the satisfaction known only to those who build their own boat. Way to go, Ed!

This was one of the best ice boating seasons ever on Lake Woebegone. We had cold temps, and very little snow. The ice boaters got out on the lake more times than in the last five years combined. I was sorely tempted to rig some skates for my Weekender.

Didn't I see that car in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit"?

Thanks for your help, guys. Using the info from both of you, we've zeroed in on the Sugar Loaf Lodge. It's just what we had in mind. Can't wait! Bill

The Mate and I will be spending the first week in March in the Keys, and we're looking for recommendations on where to stay. You know...someplace nice that won't break the budget. Any suggestions? Bill

I used empty milk jugs behind the seat backs. Since my Weekender is cabinless, the seats are long, and I got a lot of flotation out of it. I used hotmelt glue to secure the caps to the bottles. I also secured the bottles (so they won't rattle around) by looping a plastic strap through the jug handles, and screwing the strap into the bottom side of the deck. I chose this option since it seemed least likely to trap water vapor and cause rot.

If you can start now, and stay with it, I don't see why you can't be sailing your Weekender this summer. It's like saving up money. Make sure you do something each week, and before you know it, you're there.

It's been waaaaay too long since I sheeted in the main and shot across a lake. I really miss breezing along under a sky so blue it almost hurts the eyes. But it'll be awhile before I can slip "Surprise" back in the water for a morning sail. Around here the ice won't go out until mid-April. What would it take to outfit a Weekender as an ice breaker?