Mike Pennington

I was checking out the photos on the other thread. That should be a fun craft to spend the day on.

My Wolf is still around. 8)

Yepper, That's what I think. Notice that pretty grey lump on the back of the Wolf? All torque. As a motor sailer that Vacationer does real well in the rough suff.

Howdy Craig 8) Check out the new website Frank built for me. http://aurorawolf.com/ The dang Doctors won't let me drive anymore, well for awhile anyway. The meds for suppressing the white blood cells make me a bit weak. I tried to tell him I drive in my sleep all the time, but he wasn't going for it. I suppose he's right. I took the Wolf out a couple of weeks ago. Woke up headed into the wind :shock: But I figure I had a nice nap, I'm not sure how long I was out for. I've been itching to use my John Henry scarf tool, but the Wife keeps counting my fingers every time I play with my tools. So now I'm publishing fiction. Who knew?

Wow, Folks talking about the Vacationer, and Konrad too. I weigh a hefty 260 and standing on the rail the boat barely heels. But a ten mile an hour wind things can change. I often sail Kachemak Bay off the Cook Inlet and around to Soldovia, however I hug the coast and choose my day to cross out in the open. I met Mike Hale owner of Mordag of Ketchikan Island down in the south east panhandle. This boat is built from British Columbia Marine Ply she is about as bullet proof as a Vacationer can be and as exact/stick to the plans. Mike told me how he rolled the Vacationer in four foot surf off the north end of the island. The boats tough, sails good, but with the long keel under her, and getting side ways in the surf, you can get knocked over from the pounding waves. Mike sailed the Alaskan Marine Highway for over twenty years on the Alaskan Ferries as bosun. When the Coast Guard came to rescue him, he said he was a bit embaressed, but glad to see him. G Man I've never sailed your waters, but if you have surf the Vacationer might not be for you. She's an inland water boat. Have you considered the Calidonia Yawl? Or better yet, Ask Par What Boat he would suggest? The Man knows his boats.

Here are a couple of pictures that might be of use

I used 1/8 inch thick by 1x8 inch stainless steel strap ( Stanely ) with pre drilled holes. Bolted them to the hull with a 1x4 backing : then leaned on them, 250lbs is an awsome force at times. I was able to angle them just right to where they were in line with the back stays, plus get an angled bend flush with the top of the deck. Then I used my four inch grinder to round them off. If you are building a piano, uhm, my method was kind of down and dirty, so it may not be right for you. If you don't have 250lbs to work with, a large cresent wrench will work too. That box of donuts works for about anything, tire shop, ect. 8)

I like the Ultra- Pierre : But then I still have plans for the Calidonia Yawl. I have an Essex built, Islander 23 that needs to be restored and a vacationer that needs some deck work. Also, a 26'x14' boat shed to put up. Come on break up I'll just have to cool my jets for awhile. But I do feel the need ;D

Thanks Steve, I don't brouse their site as much as I used to, the cost of their plans are a bit out of my range. However, there are a few I like. Don't hurt to dream. I'll check out the book though. M

Steve, that download is a book You must have hours upon hours of time invested in this boat. I copied the down load to paper and will find a note book for my copy. Thanks for the plans, and yes, if I choose this boat I will send you a photo log of the construction. At this point I will most likely build the motor version, but the rowing skiff is very tempting. Mike

Link? I have been wanting to build a lake boat for fishing

Nice web page, Steve. I've been looking for something small to build too.

Yeah! Really cool that you have a local fleet, and I thought our little Alaska Fleet was Froggy. I remember when I was a Scout, and dreamed of canoeing Canada's Lakes. Now that dream has changed to sailing some of those lakes. You folks are really going to have a good time. Mike

Frank, The hard drive in my home computer died, was down for awhile, lost your e-mail address. When you get time send me a message. Mike

A major event during any build 8) and a few times after that Good luck with your project.