Let the Games Begin!

I'm excited to announce that my boat project is now officially underway.  I've decided to draw out all of the pieces full-size on large sheets of graph paper, then adhere them to the plywood to cut out, much like a sewing pattern. 

I'm so anxious to start building, but the joy from seeing the pieces go from 1:5 scale to full-sized has been incredibly rewarding.  After every piece I have to stand back and admire it in awe.

Plans for this week:

1.  Sharpen block plane.
2.  Continue lofting- goal of one piece per day.
3.  Order plywood.
4.  If the weather is nice, start on the centerboard this weekend.

John Welsford Class on Building a Scamp

Life is rife with decisions, and today seems to highlight that fact.

The Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding is hosting John Welsford (the designer of the boat I'm in love with) as he teaches students to build their own SCAMPs.  The class is two weeks long, and is an amazing deal for $1200.

So now I'm sitting here wondering if my little project should be one I undertake in the comfort of a school setting.    But then again, I wouldn't want to make the project too easy, now would I? 

It's tempting all the same.  For anyone who is interested, more info about the class here.

Lofty Goals..

I was hoping to start lofting today.  When I pulled out all of the tools and the plans, it was apparent that my brain wasn't going to keep up with my ambition.  I'm not blessed with the best of spatial reasoning skills as it is, and when you pile on a head cold my brain is especially sluggish.  (And to be fair, SCAMP's plans aren't even really lofting-  it's just a matter of drawing out the actual size given the measurements..)

I found this on Pinterest and I thought it apt:

Here's to hoping I move from having a conceptual goal to having a tangible one soon.

Case of the Buildies & Discussing the Centerboard

I'm not going to waste time with any lengthy personal introduction as my first post.   There's a boat to talk about!

I've got the plans, I have the time, and I have a loyal sponsor husband who is willing to support me. I've got a shelter to work in, the build plans printed out, and, I swear to God, if I don't get my hands dirty soon, I'm going to go crazy.

I suffer from an affliction I like to call The Buildies. As I get older I'm coming to terms with the fact that if I'm not doing something with my hands, I get anxious. I need to create tangible, useful things. Soap, food, chicken coops, tables, clothes- it doesn't really matter what the medium is, as long as it has a specific purpose and is useful in our life.

Plus, it doesn't help that I've been talking about building a damn boat for the last 15 years. Yup, this thing is going to happen.

So what's first? The centerboard.

I've been scouring the web endlessly for words of wisdom on the topic. The top things I've found (in no particular order:

1. Duckworks Magazine's Constructing A NACA 0012 Rudder andNACA 0010 Daggerboard Foils
2. How to Build Rudder Blades & Centerboards by J.R. Watson (This is a pdf)
3. Joe's Navigator Site:  Chapter 2: The Centerboard (fantastic photos that really helped me understand the above PDF)

I'm particularly fascinated by the technique that is highlighted in the first link.  Essentially you make a topographic map of your foil, then smooth out the hills.  As someone who doesn't know the first thing about foils (they're something you use in your hair, right?!) this technique seems to be the easiest for my non-spatially blessed brain to grasp.

I've decided to not build from a kit.  I've been told that I should, as it'll speed up the build and make my life easier.  But you know what?  This is a life dream of mine.  And sometimes suffering makes the reward all the sweeter.  Also, this may be the best way to learn how to swear like a sailor.

New Favorite Spot

I may have a new favorite spot in the world.

 BBQ season doesn't stand a chance this year.  

Is building things infectious?  Because it's pretty much the only thing I want to do now.  

Thanks to Val for the photos!  More pictures from our day here! 

Pachyderms, Daffodils, and Puppies

I saw this book on Amazon and thought I'd pick it up,  Last Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts.

I've had a stash of old work shirts from my banking days holed up in the shed.  I had found a little stuffed elephant in the book that looked fun, and just knew those old shirts would be perfect for it.  Blue IS my favorite color, after all, and it seemed like such a waste to throw out so much material in my favorite color.  (I'm a pack rat, I know!)

RIP, WaMu, I still miss you sometimes.

But at least now I have something tangible to show for the stock that I lost. 

Still needs a tail.  It's a work in progress.

In other, non-pachyderm news, our first daffodil is blooming on our property.

And guess what else is growing like a weed?  

 

Yup.  Vet visit tomorrow!  He's mastered sit, down, and sometimes runs when you call him. He's been a good puppy so far- we haven't had an accident in a week (knocks on wood).

Easter Dinner

 Also, why I'm fat.

We had a gorgeous weekend. Between puppy wrangling (oh, sleep, I miss you) and woodworking, it was time for a proper, sit down dinner.

So we broke out our Volcano II stove. 

I bought this little beast for our emergency kit.  The Volcano II is fuel efficient, and flexible in using either wood, charcoal, or propane as a fuel source.  Also, it works well with cast iron dutch ovens.  

 

Preliminary reports have found it to be highly satisfactory.  Although I may have to use it again (and again) just to be sure.

The SCAMP Sailboat

Don't you love it when the stars align?

For example:

Last Monday, I went sailing and fell back in love with the water.
Last Wednesday, I returned from Maui, and on Thursday, found an amazing boat design with roots in Port Townsend.  Incidentally, that was the birthplace of my father.
Last Friday I bought building plans, and joined the Small Craft Advisory forum.
And yesterday, a post on said forum reveals that the designer (who lives in New Zealand), will be here in August to teach 12 people how to build their own boats in Port Townsend.

What an amazing opportunity.   And such great timing.

So what is this boat that has me all worked up and misty-eyed?

It's called the SCAMP (Small Craft Advisory Magazine Project).

She is short (less than 12'), stout (5'4 wide), bull-nosed, and a little beast.  Not exactly what I imagined myself falling in love with.

 

But there is something compelling about her.  

 

She's so much boat for her length- I look at this boat and I'm just in complete awe that she's less than 12' long.

I can't help it.  I'm smitten.  

All photos have been stolen from this page: The Small Craft Advisor.   Obviously, I don't have one of my own to photograph.  I'm hoping that will change. 

This is the video where I feel irrevocably in love:

Have you ever been in love with a boat?

More Cardigan Welsh Corgi Action!

 

I haven't managed to get a single thing done this week.

Flanders is Home!

We are now a two dog household.

 More photos shot by my husband here, if you're so inclined. :)

Oh, and we received two more eggs today!  Another great day at Casa Crustante.