The motivation of being the weird guy building a boat...

[Scott Dufour]

In all honesty, how many of you got into boat building at least partly because it was something that would surprise other people? I mean, sure, I might like to sail. And sure, I might like to work with wood and make stuff. But one doesn't directly lead to the other. Something has to make you decide to NOT build an entertainment system and NOT just buy a boat. For me, I have to admit, it was that I like seeing people's reactions when I tell them I'm building a boat in my basement.

[Charlie Jones]

Scot- in all honesty I can't really remember WHAT got me started building boats. 'Twas a very long time ago. Now I build them because I kinda HAVE to do it. It's an addiction I think. But I'm gonna out grow it- one of these days

I must confess - it's quite a rush to have someone ask where you got the boat and be able to answer- "I built it" and watch the reaction.. After all that I've done, I STILL get a kick out of that.

[Barry Pyeatt]

I got into boat building because of an article in "Boy's Life Magazine" back in the early 50's. It was a sailing surfboard (like a Sunfish), and I was completely captivated. I figured that with a little help, (I was only 9 or 10 at the time), that I could build and sail that on some of the ponds and small lakes in Pennsylvania.

I did, and I did and the sailing surfboard has gone through a couple generations of cousins and their kids and now into their kids learning to sail with it. Many coats of paint and new rigging later it still is exciting to them and to me when I get told about another one learning to sail on it.

Build many more boats since then and it just gets in your blood as Charlie stated. Now I'm doing it because I just wanted a couple of small boats to trailer to good sailing/cruising areas and overnight with my kids and their kids.

And yes, it is really satisfying to be able to say, "Yes, I built this, and no it wasn't a kit.)

[adla]

i just couldn't help myself...i'm weak willed...i'd be willing to bet on a planet that is 70%ish water that everyone wished they could just whip out a boat ...okay, i'll go back to behaving......

a.

[Russ Sylvester]

For me it was that initial minute or two after completing a piece when you step back and kind of say to yourself,"Yeah!, now that works". I never really cared much what other people said and still don't. I would get all sorts of comments and 99% of them I would just mumble a thanks and move on.

Russ

[Guest]

For me it was just magic.

Spoken by Russ:

"I never really cared much what other people said and still don't. I would get all sorts of comments and 99% of them I would just mumble a thanks and move on"

This says it all, as the way that we should live most of our lives anyway. This creates less health problems. Heck, many that do comment, sometimes just don't understand and will not take the time to do so, either. Its a magical interest and desire. [Did I say that before?] :wink: You just don't understand, Dear. 8)

.

[tdrown]

I've always wanted a boat.

[Jan Williamson]

My excuse for not just buying one. I have never sailed and I always wanted to learn but didn't have a boat to practice with. I have wanted to build some kind of boat as the ultimate challenge. Might as well build a sailboat. I do like the sometimes contorted looks I see on people's faces when they hear "I'm building a boat." It is amusing when they ask, "are you building it from scratch"?

[rolandblais]

Norm Did it. It was during an episode of The New Yankee Workshop, which I used to watch avidly, where I saw Norm build the 10 foot Clancy sailboat.

I was fascinated with the idea of transportation without fuel. And that I could build it myself!

One thing led to another and the clancy (or any other durn project) never got built. Then, a couple of years later, I was perusing WoodenBoat and there was an ad for the Weekender. The rest is, as they say, History.

Peace,

Roland

[Steve Downs]

I started building toy boats when I was big enough to operate a hammer and a hand saw. Scraps of 2x4's I could find ended up glued together with little nails and string forming a railing around it. If I could find paint I would paint it then take it down to the irrigation ditch and launch it. Great fun. I just grew up wanting a boat so now I'm in a financial situation where I can do it so I'm doing it. Can't wait to have my own pirate ship.

[Scott Dufour]

The more I read everybody's replies, them more I have to agree with them all. There is a certain poetry to building boats - especially the impracticle non-working boats this forum embraces. We do it because it's fun and uneccesary. (Unlelss, like Charlie, you actuallly get to build these things for a living - my dream profession, I think.) I have to agree that the best moments have come when alone, after a struggle with one piece or another, stepping back and seeing what I've accomplished. And then the thing actually sails!

[Phil Gowans]

As a youth growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, I was fascinated with boats, especially sailboats. There were lots of models in the Maritime museum and I started building plastic ship models. From there I graduated to wood scratched built models. I'd always wanted my own sailboat but never thought it was really possible. It was when I realized I had all the skills to build a full sized boat of my own that I felt liberated. All I had to do was increase the scale of my model building. I was fairly old when I had this revelation, but it was always: "I can really do this and someday when I get some time and money, I'm going to do it." As a youth I had not been around anyone that had done anything like this, so it was really a novel idea. It took some settling into. I took a part-time job to get some funds. I always said I was saving for my boat. For about a decade there was always some more "important" place to use it. That didn't matter, I always made sure everyone knew I was working for a boat. I'm sure people grew tired of my dream, but I never did.

I loved the building experience and I love having my own boat. It fits me like no one else's. One of the things that really appeals to me is that I build almost everything on her and the whole thing really functions. There's not to many people with a powerboat that can claim that. It also is a way to pit myself against nature and yet still be part of it.

If you are lurking out there thinking: "I'd like to join that crowd." It can be done. --- I did it. The waters fine, come on jump in. We are a little weird, but that's ok - we're not dangerous.

[Greg Luckett]

I always have wanted to build boats and did build a few with my father when I was young. I got back into it mostly because the sailing/boating season is so short here in Michigan, that it helps my moral to build boats in the winter. I still haunt the harbors, crawling through several feet of snow and rubbing against the boats sitting in their cradles, but not as often. I have also noticed that after buidling boats, building furniture is a piece of cake.

[Jan Williamson]

It's so great to hear all of you guys' stories. I see a part of my own motivation in nearly all of them.

I have always had the desire to make as many things as as I can. I think I know where that comes from. My Dad made many things. Always trying to make things that were unavailable to him because of money. From the time I was 5 or 6 I was sewing or helping my brothers make go-carts and tree forts. I have always been a very driven person. Kind of the "never give up" type. I built a beach wheelchair (for my daughter)out of PVC pipe and Ebay ATV used tires. I works great and it only cost me a little over $100.00 instead of $1200. (There's more of my Dad)

And I really wanted a sailboat, but could not justify buying one. But it is ok in my mind to make it a hobby I, like Phil, like the idea of making as many things on the boat as I can. Not only for the money savings, but because it is so satisfying. I hope I enjoy sailing even half as much.

[ken connors]

ok, ive never told anyone about this before, but im ready to purge. about 3 yrs ago i was abducted by aliens. they inserted probes in several areas of my body(some felt better than others :? ) anyway, somehow they discerned that i was building a boat, and they asked why. i was somehow, in my stupor able to reply "because thats our only defense against you scumbag aliens" . hopefully,this was just a little flashback from my "80s" years. but, if we do get invaded, and your weekender gets blownup, just remember you were buying a little time for our f-16s 8)

[Barry Pyeatt]

Now I know we need to find another project for Ken Conners. :roll:

Quickly too, before he goes back to claiming he is a famous underwear model again.

[Craig]

Interesting comment Jan. I am not sure if I like the building better than the sailing myself. I built the Saralee because I loved the looks and couldn't justify having one built at the prices here. Also, boat slips start at ~$3 per foot plus all the bottom work every year. Besides, I needed a project right about then. In my work it may take years and years to complete something so having a large project I control is a great stress reliever. Now that the boat is complete I am enjoying modifying it to suit my tastes and need to expirement. Now if I had just not saved the $100 and used that damned SYP for the keel all would be roses. :?

[Jan Williamson]

Craig, I could see the fine tuning being satisfying too. Do you have a pic of your boat?

[Shine]

I am always amazed at how amazed people seem when they see my boat. Its only a flats boat, and its still upside down.

As for why I want to build boats; Im not sure, but I know it has to do with their shape. I have pretty much zero desire to make anthing else.

Joel

[Craig]

Here you go Jan.

http://members.cox.net/~bb343/index.htm