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Cover Story:

The Texas 200, 2010

Bill Moffitt's musings on the Texas 200.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

EC 2010 - Part Three
In the first two parts, Oaracle begins the Everglades Challenge, makes it to the first checkpoint, and is now in the open Gulf of Mexico off Florida's southwest coast.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Shen Ku
This time we have a great review of the book Shen Ku.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Mark Steele’s Model Yacht Column
Mark Steele on the wonderful hobby of model sailboating.

Monday, July 26, 2010

  • August Splash

  • Friday, July 23, 2010

    EC 2010 - Part Two
    The first big decision had to be made: inside or outside? Inside was a path with narrow channels and possible blocked wind and outside was a journey with too many low bridges for the mast. Which way...

    Thursday, July 22, 2010

    The Texas200, 2010
    This is not a report on the Texas 200, but a musing on the experience and realizations as the event unfolded by Bill Moffitt.

    Wednesday, July 21, 2010

    My Four Day Trip
    This trip was an adventure to say the least. Peter managed to deal with every disaster, but it wasn't easy and he learnt a lot. Read now he did it.

    Tuesday, July 20, 2010

  • August Reports & The Treasure Chest


  • Monday, July 19, 2010

    Building Annie - A Navigator 15ft Yawl - Pt 2
    A pictorial essay of a Navigator build. A lot of these boats have been built and a lot more will be built. These pictures will help a lot.

    Friday, July 16, 2010

    Two Boats
    "Here are two boats built on the same mold with about 200 years difference in technique and materials. One is the most beautiful boat I have ever seen and the other,,, we'll see".

    Thursday, July 15, 2010

    Triad
    Did you know that Joe Dobler designed a trimaran? Well here it is and the plans are available through our store. Read on and see what others have said about this great 'tried and tested' design.

    Thursday, July 15, 2010

    Jim Michalak's Newsletter
    We are big fan's of Jim Michalak's designs and like to let you know when there is a new issue of his newsletter. This time he begins a series of articles about the Texas200.

    Wednesday, July 14, 2010

    Mikesboat Capsize
    I managed to capsize our MikesBoat yawl during the second day, Tuesday, May 25, of the 2010 OBX130 in Core Sound, North Carolina. This is how I did it...

    Tuesday, July 13, 2010

    Stasha: The Lightest Nesting Dinghy in the World
    The Stasha, the world’s lightest nesting dinghy weighs as much as a baby bird (wandering albatross chick). Stasha is a cloth covered dinghy that nests (not like a bird) - that's new...

    Monday, July 12, 2010

    Our Young Navy - Part Four
    This is the final part of a great series on what are now old ships but, back then, these great boats formed 'our young navy'.

    Friday, July 9, 2010

  • August Webwatch

  • Thursday, July 8, 2010

    Cedar Key 2010
    As usual the weather was perfect at Cedar Key. I tried to count the boats, maybe 75 to 100, but it's hard to tell cause they're all over the place. This is my pictorial of Cedar Key, 2010.

    Wednesday, July 7, 2010

    Ella and Light Trow
    This is new release of the sailing version of the Ella skiff, and the Mk2 version of the Light Trow. If you downloaded either or both in the past, you will want the new versions.

    Tuesday, July 6, 2010

    The Keuka Whaler - Part Two
    To quote Iain, "In the end, the only rule is to get it looking good. The problem with this, as John Gardner points out, is that it depends on who is doing the looking."

    Monday, July 5, 2010

    Building Annie - A Navigator 15ft Yawl - Pt 1
    A Pictorial Essay of a Navigator Build. Sometimes it is just the one picture that helps you build...

    Friday, July 2, 2010

  • July Letters

  • Thursday, July 1, 2010

    Jim Michalak's Newsletter
    We are big fan's of Jim Michalak's designs and like to let you know when there is a new issue of his newsletter. His essays are always worth reading.

    Thursday, July 1, 2010

    Introducing the Sandy Shoal 16
    Rob's first simple nail and glue design based on Michalak's AF4B and the plans are available in our store.

    Wednesday, June 30, 2010

    The Mangrove Jack 3.65 - Part Three
    The boat is finished, painted and the legal stuff is on. The concept is now a reality and the boat performs just like it did in the dream.

    Tuesday, June 29, 2010

    S.C.A.M.P
    10' long, they emailed, Sleep aboard for a weekend. It should daysail an adult and two children. Really easy to build in a garage, and small enough to not need an expensive trailer or a big car to tow it. Here it is...

    Monday, June 28, 2010

    Mark Steele’s Model Yacht Column
    Another round up of model sailboats new from Mark Steele.

    Sunday, June 20, 2010

    SPECIAL REPORT: THE TEXAS 200

    Friday, June 25, 2010

  • July Splash

  • Thursday, June 24, 2010

    The Ollie Punt ...and other Half-Sheet Boats - Pt 2
    The ukulele headed paddle is a reasonably efficient form of propulsion. Don't worry I didn't use real ukuleles... This is part two of the Ollie punt.

    Wednesday, June 23, 2010

    Koko - Part Two
    Jake (my dog) and I left Tuesday's campsite too late to catch the early milder winds. Very soon I realized I'd be lucky to hang on...

    Tuesday, June 22, 2010

    Koko - Part One
    We had the largest group ever, 24 souls by Dewitt's tally. Join us on the 09 Kokopelli.

    Monday, June 21, 2010

  • July Reports & The Treasure Chest


  • Friday, June 18, 2010

    Andrew OBX 130 - Part Three
    It was still blowing like stink and raining puppies, so I figured my gear would be safe enough for me to make a quick run back to camp and grab some food.

    Thursday, June 17, 2010

    Andrew OBX 130 - Part Two
    The winds had increased overnight, shrieking through the rigging and filling the seas with 'white horses.'

    Wednesday, June 16, 2010

    Andrew OBX 130 - Part One
    The drive had been grueling, but it had been a different kind of gruel than that which was to follow over the next five days.

    Tuesday, June 15, 2010

    Chuck's OBX 130 Photo Essay - Part Two
    Part two of the OBX130 photo essay. Find out what happened on a trip that turned out to be quite a challenge.

    Tuesday, June 15, 2010

    Jim Michalak's Newsletter
    We are big fan's of Jim Michalak's designs and like to let you know when there is a new issue of his newsletter. His essays are always worth reading.

    Monday, June 14, 2010

    Chuck's OBX 130 Photo Essay - Part One
    Chuck presents a pictorial essay fresh from the OBX130.

    Friday, June 11, 2010

    Our Young Navy - Part Three
    'As the big strong frigates inspired by Joshua Humphreys were taking shape, Josiah Fox and William Doughty continued designing ships'. Paul continues to look at America's early ships.

    Thursday, June 10, 2010

  • July Webwatch

  • Wednesday, June 9, 2010

    The Jolly Olly - Part Two
    Part two of the pirate rampage. This time we get to see the finihsed result. Looks like fun.

    Tuesday, June 8, 2010

    The Jolly Olly - Part One
    It's not a lot of plywood, but it is a whole lot of fun. Today an Aussie tells us how to make a mini pirate ship.

    Monday, June 7, 2010

    Imp
    Gavin Atkin designed this canoe a little while ago, but it was recently rediscovered by a reader. So here it is again for those who have not seen it or for those who would like to see it again.

    Friday, June 4, 2010

    TOTER-2 Sponsons
    Ken has tweaked the Toter-2 design a little and created some sponsons for it. If you are considering building a Toter-2, this is a must read article. If not, what a good idea sponsons are and they work a treat.

    Thursday, June 3, 2010

    Money for Old Rope
    This article tells you how to get someone to give you good money for old rope. You do have to play with it a bit first.

    Wednesday, June 2, 2010

    Ebihen 15/16
    Another great design by François Vivier. It can be built in two lengths with several rig options.

    Tuesday, June 1, 2010

    Rechargeable Tool Rehabilitation - Part 2
    This article is the second part of the series on what to do with those dead battery drills. Last time we looked at replacing and repairing battery packs in rechargeable tools.

    Tuesday, June 1, 2010

    Jim Michalak's Newsletter
    We are big fan's of Jim Michalak's designs and like to let you know when there is a new issue of his newsletter. His essays are always worth reading.

    Monday, May 31, 2010

  • June Letters

  • Saturday, May 22, 2010

    SPECIAL REPORT: THE OBX130

    Friday, May 28, 2010

    EC 2010 - Part One
    "And so it was. But fortunately – unlike launching – doing the entire 300 miles of the annual WaterTribe Everglades Challenge solo was not significantly harder that doing it with a crew."

    Thursay, May 27, 2010

    Canoe - William Henry Harrison
    This design is an experimental takeoff of the Quick Canoe 155. You won't believe what Herb and his dog does with it.

    Wednesday, May 26, 2010

    Mark Steele’s Model Yacht Column
    Mark Steele writes on model yachts and model yachting.

    Tuesday, May 25, 2010

  • June Splash

  • Monday, May 24, 2010

    Kids Kayaks
    Two great kid kayaks of Luis' own design. This article is complete with advice on tools, materials and building instructions.

    Friday, May 21, 2010

    The Ollie Punt ...and other Half-Sheet Boats - Pt 1
    There are a number of sites on the internet and articles devoted to the one sheet boat. Ian has fun with some of the designs.

    Thursday, May 20, 2010

  • June Reports & The Treasure Chest


  • Wednesday, May 19, 2010

    The Mangrove Jack 3.65 - Part Two
    "After the first month, the hull has been glued, turned over, and the internal joins glued and filleted, the seat boxes have been fabricated and floors cut and all panels pre-cut".

    Tuesday, May 18, 2010

    Scenes From the Dink
    Steve's back West after yet another epic road trip. He shows us some great shots from last winter on the West Coast of Florida.

    Monday, May 17, 2010

    The Picton Castle
    Paul's son Clark is going on a trip of a lifetime on a tall ship called the Picton Castle. Paul tell us about it and how to follow the progress of the ship.

    Friday, May 14, 2010

    The Boat Shower
    This idea is a gem. A simple boat shower for a quick cleanup. And, there is a solar version as well.

    Friday, May 14, 2010

    Jim Michalak's Newsletter
    We are big fan's of Jim Michalak's designs and like to let you know when there is a new issue of his newsletter. His essays are always worth reading.

    Thursday, May 13, 2010

    The Mangrove Jack 3.65 - Part One
    "The answer to me was a V-Nose punt. I considered designing it myself, but lack the expertise. So seeing a couple of articles by Mark Bowdidge, I rang him and discussed my concept". This is the result.

    Wednesday, May 12, 2010

    Rodent 240
    "This started as an exercise to see if I could build a brand new boat very cheaply for my 5 year old son. It ended with a boat that other young sailors love".

    Tuesday, May 11, 2010

    Our Young Navy - Part Two
    Paul looks at the great ships and those who conceptualized, built and designed them. This is part two of the series.

    Monday, May 10, 2010
  • June Webwatch

  • Friday, May 7, 2010

    Repairing a cross threaded sparkplug hole
    This outboard just had to be saved but it has a stripped spark plug thread. This is no problem with the right tool and a little delicate tinkering. Brian shows us exactly how to do it.

    Thursday, May 6, 2010

    Ilur -The Sail and Oar Star
    Today we feature a great design by François Vivier called Ilur. It can be used for fishing and even coastal cruising!

    Wednesday, May 5, 2010

    Fifth Annual Fl Gulf Coast Small Craft Festival
    Join Dave at the festival and see some great shots of some great boats. He tell us what each boat is and who owns them. Take a look and enjoy!

    Tuesday, May 4, 2010

    Building Kayleigh - Part Two
    "Outfitting is an ongoing process for any boat. Like an artist doing a painting, at some point you just have to quit. But I never seem to quit on my boats".

    Monday, May 3, 2010

    Rechargeable Tool Rehabilitation - Part 1
    Robs talks us through checking batteries in this part one column on rechargeable drills. He gives us all the technical details for the job.

    Monday, May 3, 2010

    Jim Michalak's Newsletter
    We are big fan's of Jim Michalak's designs and like to let you know when there is a new issue of his newsletter. His essays are always worth reading.

    Friday, April 30, 2010

  • May Letters

  • Thursday, April 29, 2010

    Have a Masked Ball
    A great 'how to' on masking tape. Did you know not to use newspaper?

    Wednesday, April 28, 2010

  • Extraordinary May Webwatch

  • Tuesday, April 27, 2010

    Mark Steele’s Model yacht column
    Those inexpensive Nirvana’s, Sailing Solings at West Delray in Florida, a `Funny Ha Ha’ World Match Race Series, an American event at Herreshoffs, and an incredibly large and lovely Whaler!

    Monday, April 26, 2010

  • May Splash


  • Friday, April 23, 2010

    TOTER-2 Sail
    We've read about the TOTER-2 on the 30th March. Well, as promised, the TOTER2 SAIL Plans are now available.

    Thursday, April 22, 2010

    Jim's CLC Pram
    Jim decided to go for a kit rather than build completely from scratch. He choose a Passagemaker kit and was very pleased with the whole package from CLC, including the finished boat's performance.

    Wednesday, April 21, 2010

    Teddy Bear's Holiday
    At times this was no picnic for us Teddys with the wind and the water on us, but Rob and family really enjoyed this cruise in their Philsboat.

    Tuesday, April 20, 2010

  • May Reports & The Treasure Chest


  • Monday, April 19, 2010

    Stems and Trailers
    Now, you would think that getting a light fourteen-foot lapstrake (clinker) dinghy onto a trailer would be a simple matter, and so it should be.

    Friday, April 16, 2010

    Sailing the Michalak Blobster (A World First!)
    Two years ago Miles started building the Jim Michalak design he called ‘Blobster’. He named her 'Bob' - "(why not? That’s what you want a boat to do at the very least)".

    Thursday, April 15, 2010

    Building a Lutra Laker - A Work in Progress
    After having two kayaks and one canoe under his belt, Mike felt it was time for a change. He searched for a motor boat and he chose to build David Nichol's Lutra Laker.

    Thursday, April 15, 2010

    Jim Michalak's Newsletter
    We are big fan's of Jim Michalak's designs and like to let you know when there is a new issue of his newsletter. His essays are always worth reading.

    Wednesday, April 14, 2010

    The Keuka Whaler - Part One
    "I have a quixotic dream; I see whaleboats on the Fingerlakes of New York". Some years ago Craig began to dream about a community rowboat project and he tells us about it.

    Tuesday, April 13, 2010

    Power Pelican - Part 1
    Rich has owned a lot of boats over the years. Now it's time to just go motoring, but at a relaxed pace. The Great Pelican is started to answer Rich's dream of cabin motorboat.

    Monday, April 12, 2010

    Our Young Navy - Part One
    How did Hackett come to design the Hancock known immediately by the British as the fastest frigate in the world? Paul answers this question as he examines frigate design.

    Friday, April 9, 2010

  • May Webwatch

  • Thursday, April 8, 2010

    An Easy Waterproof Switchbox
    For a new simple switch box, Gary got a hard plastic waterproof box, with an o-ring seal, hinged top, and latches to hold it closed which sells for around $6 at WalMart.

    Wednesday, April 7, 2010

    Bird's Mouth Spar Size Calculators
    This is a great 'how to' article which explains clearly how to navigate those seemingly complicated birdsmouth spar calculators.

    Tuesday, April 6, 2010

    New Design: EZ2 Canoe by Ken Simpson
    ...I have redesigned the EZ CANOE to be more technically current, and a little more roomy. It now employs features I find to be easier to assemble, and at the same time provides a more durable little boat.

    Monday, April 5, 2010

    Now, Where Was I?
    Sometimes we have been away from our project for so long that we forget what we were doing and where we put those bolts. It takes time to refigure things out, but once Paul did he gained momentum.

    Friday, April 2, 2010

    Pathfinders Kitchen
    Do you go cruising and forget the can opener or frying pan? Perry's solution to this problem is a kitchen box with everything that opens and shuts. He gives us the free plans to build it.

    Thursday, April 1, 2010

    Edge Tool Envy - Part 3
    Last time we looked at getting a sharp edge. This time let’s look at reviving a dead block plane.

    Thursday, April 1, 2010

    Jim Michalak's Newsletter
    We are big fan's of Jim Michalak's designs and like to let you know when there is a new issue of his newsletter. His essays are always worth reading.

    Wednesday, March 31, 2010

  • April Letters

  • Tuesday, March 30, 2010

    TOTER-2
    This updated version of the original TOTER has some added desirable attributes. It now can seat 2 people in tandem, it can use a nonmodified trolling motor for power and it has built-in buoyancy.

    Monday, March 29, 2010

    Kiwi PDR
    Jackie Monies, who's boatbuilder husband Mike had just built a PD Racer, commissioned this design for herself. The result is this stylish PDR with lateen (Sunfish) rig.

    Friday, March 26, 2010

    Where the Winds Blow...
    Six fine schooners, piratical Footy rambustifications, an intriguing Scandinavian Barquentine and time spent zailing and zizzing!!

    Thursday, March 25, 2010

  • April Splash


  • Wednesday, March 24, 2010

    Drag Boat
    Fred has built a canoe that he can paddle, fish from, drag around and fit in his car - well amost fit in his car.

    Tuesday, March 23, 2010

    I Do Stitch-and-Glue
    For many years now, I’ve been keeping a dark secret. But now the time has come for me to confess – I like Stitch-and-Glue as a building method for boats!

    Monday, March 22, 2010

    Building an Aleut Baidarka
    This article by Peter includes the history of the boats and a great lesson on how to make a tailor made one.

    Friday, March 19, 2010

  • April Reports & The Treasure Chest


  • Thursday, March 18, 2010

    Drifting on the Rio Grande
    The river is low and the no swimming sign makes no sense right now, but Paul cook has a great trip along the Rio Grande.

    Wednesday, March 17, 2010

    Boat Canvas
    A great article on 'how to' get started in the boat canvas business. The advice here is actually priceless and will get you started for less.

    Tuesday, March 16, 2010

    Building Kayleigh - Part One
    The Kayleigh design has a generous cabin and very clean lines. The displacement hull incorporates a lot of rocker and tucked transom with a hull speed of around 6 mph with 6hp outboard engine and Terry built it.

    Monday, March 15, 2010

    A Season Saved
    Bad weather and outboard trouble did not deter Bob Throne who went on to have a great season and he shares it with us.

    Monday, March 15, 2010

    Jim Michalak's Newsletter
    We are big fan's of Jim Michalak's designs and like to let you know when there is a new issue of his newsletter. His essays are always worth reading.

    Saturday, March 6, 2010

    SPECIAL REPORT: EVERGLADES CHALLENGE 2010

    Friday, March 12, 2010

    Pepita
    New Design: This Lightweight Dinghy or Tender Taped Seam Construction was designed in 1979 by Joe Dobler and the plans are now available at Duckworks.

    Thursday, March 11, 2010

    Take a Bow to Design
    This month Paul Austin takes a close look at design, especially the shape of bows.

    Wednesday, March 10, 2010

  • April Webwatch

  • Tuesday, March 9, 2010

    Vacuum Infusion
    A new adhesive to assist with the vacuum bagging process for you today and it works a treat.

    Monday, March 8, 2010

    AWOL
    A new sloop design by John Welsford today and it's fast.

    Friday, March 5, 2010

    Lucky Town 7
    Dissatisfied with the available production boats for what he terms mini cruising, Bill Longyard decided to design and build his own, to "show what could be done with 14 feet". And show he did, and then some.

    Thursday, March 4, 2010

    Lighter and Stronger
    An article by Paul Butler with some terrific tips for building light and strong boats. "...a graphite-coated bottom can be dragged without harm across parking lots, down launch ramps, and over gravel beaches".

    Wednesday, March 3, 2010

    Madisonville Wooden Boat Festival 2009
    "The Lake Charles Sail and Power Squadron chartered a bus to go this year’s festival on Saturday, October11, 2009". Join Ken and view his great photographs.

    Tuesday, March 2, 2010

    Cruise Control 5.2
    New Design: This is a S & G Fishing Boat/Runabout with Cuddy design by Mark Bowdidge. It's light, quick to build, easy on the pocket, and yet it still retain its strength, seaworthiness and performance.

    Monday, March 1, 2010

    Edge Tool Envy - Part Two
    Rob's article shows us how to sharpen our tools to a good edge. "You can do it while watching TV once you’re good at it".

    Monday, March 1, 2010

    Jim Michalak's Newsletter
    We are big fan's of Jim Michalak's designs and like to let you know when there is a new issue of his newsletter. His essays are always worth reading.


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