After much delay based on my desire to show the work, the progress, *more* done, I've realized that that was hopeless and I'd better just show *something*.

I say all this because I'm still not convinced that I've accomplished that much in the last five months, despite the fact that I've been working on "her" constantly, ten hours a day for the last four months.

Here then, are matters such as they stand as of yesterday.

Autumn 2003
https://nauticalfollies.com/2003autumn.htm

Hope you enjoy.

"MD!"

Here's a photo of Lake McConaughy. It's in worse shape than anytime in it's history. Nebraska needs rain, snow, sleet, anything over the winter and spring. It doesn't look good for launching our Wyoming next year. It's so big that it could take a couple years to get it back unless it's a very wet year.

The white dot in the far right center is my dock. No one remembers it ever this bad.

I'm trying to think of a plan B, but nothing comes to mind as yet. There are no lakes near me or in CO for that mater that would allow the Wyo that's less than 5 hours away.

Praying for a bad winter in NE!

Jeff

I am organizing what I hope will become a yearly gathering of paddled craft builders and other interested people, tentatively named the Texas Kayak Builder's Bash to be held in the spring of each year at different locations around Texas. This will be a gathering for builders, owners, and any other interested people to show off, look at, and in some cases paddle some very nice craft. The gathering is not limited to kayaks, but includes canoes, wherrys, whitehalls, SOFs....almost any handmade, or extensively modified...usually wood, or wood composite....paddled (or rowed) craft. I'm sure you get the idea. The first such full gathering will be in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. However...due to interest and suggestions...I have organized a mini-Bash for October 26, 2003, at Town Lake in Austin, Texas. I have tried to contact any clubs and organizations that I could and have so far got good interest with quite a few people indicating that they will attend. Since I consider Duckworks magazine to be one of the better...if not the best...amateur boat builder's sites, I thought I'd let you know about this. I'm sure that some of your readers would like to show off their boats. I know I, and others, would love to see them. If you are interested in posting the information about the gathering on your site, please let me know. I have posted up to date information on my site: www.texaspaddler.com. I added a link to your site on mine when I first started it...oh....more than 6 months ago.
Thank you for your time.
Gerald W. Kennedy

Chuck,

www.tenbuckplans.com/scarfs

I built a "down and dirty" scarfing jig for a chop saw. I need to do about 20 scarfs and I wanted something that was:

1. One Pass
2. Quick setup
3. Cheap

I have long thought that the chop saw was a platform, but I never thought it thru until yesterday. Anyway, It is limited to about 4:1 and 1x2's. It is upscalable with a bigger chop saw or one with a "slider. This jig and the Michalak method of gluing scarfs really takes the torture out of scarfing the smaller stuff.

Use any of this on your site and if you want more, better or different pictures, let me know.

Tim

I have pictures of the Kingston messabout (with thumbnails) HERE. I don't when I'll make it to the next Messabout or where but I have projects to complete before then. Next project would be a solo canoe or pirogue.

regards,David B.

The photos of the Conroe Messabout on Sep 20th 2003 are uploaded:

$50 Sailboat

Had a really fun time, and we ran a $50 sailboat race. All the boats in the race had to be constructed with $50 of materials or less. Couple of boats were completely free, some very cheap, and some pushed the rules right to the limits. I brought a hot tub that was converted into a sailboat.

We are also forming a one-design racer that is similar to the Bolger Brick. Common design hull, but unlimited sail rig, deck layout, and underwater fins.

Thanks
Shorty

Chuck:

Here is an announcement from Ryobi tools

John Cupp