For your classified ad section:

Boat in need of some finishing off and tidying up.
Would make good Winter project.
Lying: Crosshaven,Ireland.

Pat O'Leary, Crosshaven, Cork, Ireland

Hi,
No Florida this winter as we're awaiting the birth of our 3rd granddaughter. As a result have been spending lots of time building boats including a model 2 masted schooner and another stripper.

In an effort to give back something to the community I've been working with kids in an after school program building these 1 sheet canoes. The first 2 are almost finished and now we'll start a "Cheap Canoe."
Best
Steve Fisher

Heres a nice shot of Chester Rowles and grandchild in the Truant that Iain Mitchell built in my workshop. Thats me sitting in her trying out the skippers seating position.

Chester is the man who built Jaunty, the Navigator that David Perillo at www.openboat.co.nz uses to such good effect. he's bought a smaller boat as being better suited to his sailing waters near New Plymouth on New Zealands North Islan West Coast and seems here to be having a great time in the little lug rigged 11 footer.

John Welsford

"The Black Strait" northern opening today. Ice is open and the fog is rolling in.

Nisse is resting
Arild took the pic today.
Hälsningar,
Dejan

I just uploaded the info page for the PD World Championship Race:

https://www.shortypen.com/events/2006/world/

Shorty

Hello Chuck!
Thanks for your interest in this little boat. Clancy is a class sailing skiff which was designed by Rich Kolin and developed by Bob Pickett.

I’m currently building this little boat and I’m quite impressed with the quality of work that went into making both the book and the plans (which were taken from the book)

There is a very good book published by Mr. Pickett. This is a very concise construction guide in which the boat can be built, but with plans provided by New Yankee Workshop, becomes somewhat easier!

I am not yet finished with my boat, I've included a couple of pictures of it under construction, one of which was taken tonight. I started this boat 1 week before Thanksgiving, and I anticipate its completion and maiden sail at the end of February. I'll be sure to send you some pictures from that sail!

Vince Hoffmann

Chicagoland Spring Messabout 2006 - May 6, 2006
(click for more info)

Did you like how I made that sound like we've been doing it for years? Actually, the very first Chicagoland Messabout was last fall. (Read about it here.)

It may seem premature to be jumping in with multiple messabouts each year, but Chicagoland is unique in that regard. First, there are a LOT of people in the greater Chicago area, including plenty of guys doing dangerous things with power tools. We already have 16 messabouters on the list. Second, it is positively a way of life to own a boat either to drag it north for fishing in Wisconsin or to sail the big lake. Third, it's COLD up here and the "sailing itch" gets nearly unbearable through the winter. The messabout provides us an excuse to jump-start our season as early as possible. Finally, it keeps us poor schleps from feeling too terrible that we have to miss Cedar Key and the Duckworks Gulf Coast Messabout, which are coincident with our primary date and "rain date". Of course we try to control our envy of those with sufficient vacation time and gas money to attend these hallowed events. Mostly.

But if those tropical saltwater cruises serve as odysseys for the Northern messabout community, the Chicagoland Messabouts are quite the opposite. It's easy to get to from Wisconsin, and downright convenient from anywhere in Chicagoland. Strictly a one-day event, this messabout is located at Busse Lake, which feels strangely rural even though it's less than a mile from the intersection of I-290 and I-90, and within rifle shot of the Gateway Mall.

Not that I suggest you bring a rifle. In fact, you shouldn't even bring a motor. Gas-powered motors are prohibited and you're not allowed to bring them on the lake at all. But it's OK, because the lake is not that big, so you can't get blown too far afield even in a full gale. And the trees block much of the gusty bluster of spring. Last fall we got very lucky and some rather windy conditions provided spirited, but not overpowering sailing. In such a small lake, one sails back and forth in a small area, annoying fishermen and taking photos of one another's boats. Rather like aquatic camera jousting. Best of all, one gets to ride in other people's boats, which is the learning experience that makes these events so worthwhile.

OK, I'm done pontificating about the wonders of messabouts. For now. But do drop me a line if you plan to come. That way I can let you know if we need to fall back on the "rain date".

Rob Rohde-Szudy
Madison, WI
robrohdeszudy@yahoo.com

Hi Chuck

I just saw the current Duckworks homepage picture of "Rachel" checking out the unfinished Folding Kayak.

I just had to send you this picture of our Son, Chad (now 31 years old) in our unfinished Folbot, "Super", 1978. From our scrap book. Chad was born, May 14, 1975. If you notice, the Room is still unfinished (but with important, roof, floor and walls) but priorities were to build a boat befor that part of the house was finished. The unfinished room was just the right size to assemble the Folbot Kit and a little sawdust didn't hurt anything.

It's really a Shame Folbot no longer provides wooden Folbot kits. I know a lot of Folbots were built and lot are still around. We have used that Folbot over these many years and Chad now has it at his new home and continues to use it regularly.

I recently built my Plywood "Phoenix" so I could join him and his "Fiancé" on outings. (you had a nice article on that "Phoenix") Had to enclosed a picture of "Phoenix" to refresh your memory. It is a plywood, reproduction of a Folbot, "Sporty".

Just thought you might appreciate the photos And, having lived a similar life style, the fact that sometimes a Boat take precedence over a little more house building.

And, just had to throw in another picture of Chad, Sailing my "Elegant Punt" "Toad" when he was 5 or 6. I still have and use that little (Luanne) boat regularly.

Chad first went "Fishing" when he was only a couple of months old in a plywood "Dory" I built . Put him in a wicker bassinet in the middle of the boat while the rest of us fished.

You ought to drop in on the Western Oregon Messabouts Yahoo Group. Much of the recent conversations involve the creation of an "Ol' Coots" fleet of Puddle Duck Racers" "PDR" - One of our newer members, Andrew Linn, build one of the first PDRs and has been trying to get others in the group to build one too. He finally got response when he mentioned "Racing" them.

I don't know about You, but Any time I am in a sailboat and there is another sailboat anywhere on the lake, It Is A Race. <g> But, until this there has been almost no interest in racing little sailboats. Along with the PDR discussion there is a lot of talk and question regarding "Cheap Sails" to use on them.

And, Good for You, there is a lot more interest in the group in buying materials and hardware from You. I guess having quality products at a good price Is Working. Thanks for that again. You really put Your Money where a lot of people mouths have been. Good Job. Your efforts Are appreciated.

Have Fun
Pat Patteson
Molalla, Oregon

Chuck - A British artist has developed a self-sailing boat. No, I don't know what the point was either but the boat looks very nice and the computer system for sailing her was developed by scientists at Southampton University so it must be top stuff.

The "art project" is fully described here and the techie bits are here

Personally, I feel that building a boat and then getting a computer to sail her is a bit like making lobster thermidor and watching the cat eat it but what do I know?

All best,
Chris Partridge

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