Mark Gudschinsky Posted April 26, 2004 Posted April 26, 2004 Launching day for the Amphora Swimmer was quite an event. All went well and fun was had by the participants and many others that were passing by. We were in a calm side channel, but I've never been in an Alaskan river in anything remotely this small! We were bobbing around and sometimes into the ice bergs. Alexander weighs a hundred pounds, Dad is a svelte 240, then there was the anchor and other "equipment", so all in all Swimmer was probably shipping near four hundred pounds. Now at the lake we frequent in the summer that wouldn't be bad, its warm and shallow. But in a new tippy boat that river water looked even colder than I knew it was! After a few wobbly minutes the captain and his large sized crew member settled into a routine and quit wobbling the boat enough so that even the Mom quit worrying. We even managed to search for treasure. We found some floating by on a branch (it was a large salmon lure.) The boom crane had a mind of its own, and would swing around and attack us at every opportunity. One of the oar locks broke off, and the suction hose kept trying to float to the surface (the captain made the crew hold it under with his hand-burr!) It was quite a successful first day out. There are a few repairs and modifications to do, but we now have officially added another boat to our fleet. [attachment over 4 years old deleted by admin] Quote
Barry Pyeatt Posted April 26, 2004 Posted April 26, 2004 This is one for the Stevenson's Project Pages. I know, I know, they don't have an Amphora Page. But maybe this deserves special note of some kind. Beautifully done Alexander and Laura. Hip Hip Hurrah for you both! Quote
Mike Pennington Posted April 26, 2004 Posted April 26, 2004 I feel bad for sleeping in, so I could go to work tonight. Captain Alexander's Mom called and invited me along and I passed up seeing the crew get the boat wet. Shame on me. Looks real good Mark. Quote
MikeStevenson Posted April 26, 2004 Posted April 26, 2004 Not to worry; we'll be adding an Amphora page now that there are at least three built recently. Great work fellows! That's a pretty dramatic paint scheme...I don't think you'll have much trouble being seen! Mike Quote
Greg Luckett Posted April 26, 2004 Posted April 26, 2004 Better add some cannons to repel terrorist. Quote
Johannah Posted April 26, 2004 Posted April 26, 2004 Finding the salmon lure is definitely a good omen. Did anyone take action shots from the bank? Good reporting from first shake-down cruise. Two or three of these with attendant modifications and this new research vessel will be ready to notify NOAA for volunteer duty. Quote
buck Posted April 26, 2004 Posted April 26, 2004 Congratulations Guys! What a fantastic wee boat! I've been following the posts with interest. Good on you for building all the gear as well! I am enjoying my Amphora very much, often going for very long rows. Originally it was going to be a tender for the weekender but I've been using it while the Weekender sits in the shed. (due mostly to our inclement weather we've had this autumn) More pictures please! Quote
JMetzner Posted April 27, 2004 Posted April 27, 2004 Congratulations Alexander on getting Swimmer in the water. You are an inspiration getting her done so quickly and she looks fantastic! You're going to have a lot of grand adventures with her. I'll see you out at Harding Lake one of these days. --John M. Fairbanks, AK. Quote
capt jake Posted April 27, 2004 Posted April 27, 2004 Congratulations! And a great job on the boat!! Yehaa! Great for keeping us posted as well! :) Beautiful! Quote
Greg Luckett Posted April 28, 2004 Posted April 28, 2004 Sam and Ben think your boat is really cool looking. They wanted to salute it. We think it is a GREAT looking boat and crew. I was worried you would not find liquid water and you deserved to beat us. We are coming along a bit slower, but are getting the oar locks and oars ready. Dragon just needs a little sanding and a bit more filleting on the inside seams and she will be ready for priming. What did you do to the cockpit deck edges? They look thicker than the ones in the book do. May God bless your new boat and crews, Greg. Quote
Mark Gudschinsky Posted April 28, 2004 Author Posted April 28, 2004 Swimmer has an extra stringer on the underside of the inside of the deck. We decided to add it as the 1/4" decking seemed flimsy. When we got home from the first day out we found a crack in the deck plywood just behind the front bulk head. I could have just been an extra heave step, but I think what happened was that we (Dad) didn't tie the stringer into the front bulkhead. When someone stepped near that point the stringer reinforcement concentrated the force to the narrow point between the stringer and the bulkhead. SO.... I think the extra stringer is a good idea, but it should be of sound material and supported in some manner at both bulkheads. The other thing that was readily apparent was bright white may not be the best choice of colors for the floor of a research vessel. You may want to consider "sand and mud" or "sticks and leaves" or some other more natural color as an interior paint scheme. Quote
capt jake Posted May 14, 2004 Posted May 14, 2004 I might have to get a set of these plans for when my grandson is about 6-7 years older. I think it would be a great Papa and grandson project! Does Stevenson's still have these available? I don't recall seeing them on their site. Mike?? Quote
capt jake Posted May 15, 2004 Posted May 15, 2004 I must have missed something here. I guess this is a custom design then??? I thought they picked this out of an old Stevenson's publication.? Quote
Barnacle Jim Posted May 15, 2004 Posted May 15, 2004 Hi Alexander and Laura, This is really a wonderful boat and a great story, too. You launched out into icy waters and returned to tell about it. The Stevenson's will soon add an Amphora page to their collection. Your launch made history, and some wonderful memories as well! Where will you go next? What will be your next exciting adventure? Quote
Greg Luckett Posted May 15, 2004 Posted May 15, 2004 I must have missed something here. I guess this is a custom design then??? I thought they picked this out of an old Stevenson's publication.? The Amphora plans are in an out of print book which copies can be found still by carefull searching on the net. Quote
capt jake Posted May 15, 2004 Posted May 15, 2004 The Amphora plans are in an out of print book which copies can be found still by carefull searching on the net. And I am darefully searching! Where do you point me matey?? ;) Quote
Mark Gudschinsky Posted May 15, 2004 Author Posted May 15, 2004 We found our copies (One we have and a library bound edition Alexander donated to his school) by doing a Googel search for used books. Then we searched five or six of the most likely looking companies that came up. We found prices from fifteen dollars up to ridiculess. The book is worth it though, especially if there are kids about the house. Quote
Greg Luckett Posted May 15, 2004 Posted May 15, 2004 From Amazon.com search for Amphora in the book section. 4 used & new from $9.95 Amphora: A Boat You Can Build by Peter Stevenson Quote
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