Another new member

[Pipefitter]

Hello,
My name is Paul and I am a woodboataholic. I started out watching/helping a master work boat builder build amazing wooden boats by eye here in central Florida. He built carvel planked shrimpers,ply/glass grouper and mullet boats and skiffs. His designs were all his own and in the Boca Grande area,his name was synonymous with building some of the finest work boats. I would have rather have done that than anything and I got to fish some of the boats that he built.I got away from it for many years only to find the undeniable urge to build my own,especially now that I dont have to smell and work with polyester resin. I am sure to build again and I like the laid back atmosphere of this forum. I'll try and fit in here and offer any views that I can ,even for conversation sake.I am no expert and I may be wrong at times,abstract and at the very worst speculative of maybe a new idea here and there. My marine expertise is with welding anodized aluminum pipe structures and stainless steel,so I do get to work with alot of modern craft which is why I chose a wood boat for myself.

[Barry Pyeatt]

Welcome Paul,
You will fit right in.  Most everyone is pretty laid back and easy to converse with.   Just a friendly reminder that our Host, Frank Hagen, has only one real rule for the forum.   Be Nice!   It has worked and there are really a lot of good people that drop by and contribute.  Lots of experience represented here with some good advice and comments... most of the time.
So....what are you planning on building?  

Most of the contributors and builders here are working with Stevenson's Project designs, but all are welcome and there is a pretty broad range of interests.  Most are new builders with no background in sailing or boating for the most part.  So everyone shares expereinces and the only dumb questions are the ones that are asked after it is too late do do anything about it.     Lots of good advice and opinions, but all of us offer them with the background of various boating conditions and weather requirements around the world.   Also regional differences in materials availability and favor for finishing and rigging.  So grab onto a good comfy "moaning chair" and let us know more about what you are planning.

As a welder and fabricator, I'm sure that your input will be great in exchage for a whole lot of us that can sand a piece of wood but have a lot of doubt about working in metal.   Like fabricating mast bands with tangs on them from aluminum or stainless.  Or making up simple spreaders for mast tops.  Just plate with some holes in them and a bolt on tang or two.

[Oyster]

I am sure to build again

Welcome to our world. But I must have missed the build part that qualifies you to build again.  Inquirying minds. along with a few other folks want to know more.  Pictures are worth a thousand words for some of us.

Most of the contributors and builders here are working with Stevenson's Project designs

And some odd ball folks just build anything because they suffer from simular problems as you describe, a common disorder called Woodaholicism.

[Barry Pyeatt]

Oyster,
Looks like he was building a Simmons Sea Skiff 18.   Right purty too!
Right up your alley!

[Craig]

Yes Barry; but. mike makes them out of nothing!!

[Pipefitter]

Thanks for the nice welcome. My build again statement,I am sure the most of you know what that entails. I got the bug.Building a boat is pretty much the say it all for woodworking.I think it is safe to say, it will cure what ails ya and diminish any lack of wood working desires or accomplishments. I can't think of anyother hobby that I (too many)could do to realize such achievement as to build a boat. It started with a bargain on a nice outboard motor.My choices were,crappy open trihull needing a transom and interior redone/painted. A double wide aluminum jon boat that needed stiffening/rebuilding. I work around alot of nice boats as far as FRP boats go and to be building cool stuff for those and to have a crappy boat was NOT an option. Couldn't find the right setup without hocking the farm so I settled on this Simmons. Once I saw it,I knew it was the boat I wanted. It is not historically correct by any means but it suits my particular fishing conditions/style.
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[Pipefitter]

The boat is completely painted now but I have no recent pictures yet. Should be taking it to work to get it rigged and powered this week.Sending subliminal msgs to the boss,"fourrrrr tennn hourrrrr dayyyyys,threeee dayyyy weeeekennnnds" The top has since been patterned with non skid so it isn't glossy like that anymore. If you are interested,the rest of the story can be seen here at http://home.earthlink.net/~tigmaster41/

Any comments good or bad are welcome.

Boats can be built out of nothing? I should have a fleet in no time.  

[jack grebe]

WELCOME PAUL, now to hiJACK the thread.....when ya leaving to come down oyster

[Greg Luckett]

Welcome Pipefitter!!

I am surprised the thread just now got high jacked     It happens all the time and we all seem to do it, so don't be upset please.

[Pipefitter]

Thanks again, hijack away  

[Oyster]

WELCOME PAUL, now to hiJACK the thread.....when ya leaving to come down oyster

 Well if everything goes as planned, its beginning to look like the 27th in your area. I have redone the sailboat, but it may work out that I bring the skiff back for some fishing. The commander in chief and work may force us to return a few days earlier the next week than planned, causing us to cut short our trip up in the big bend area. We will have to see by the middle of the week what happens. She has been forced by into call earlier, at work, with some staff leaving unannounced.

Now back to boats. I am past my beauty sleep.

[Pipefitter]

Tarpon are about in Tampa Bay. Up close to the bridges especially at night.

[Oyster]

Thats sounds good, Paul. Maybe we can break the little guy in with some larger scales this trip.
edited, wrong thread.

[Pipefitter]

That garvey would be perfect for chasing them down too. Leave plenty of space on your camera for some action shots. I can see it now,low profile and up to a 5 ft'r launching skyward off port bow.I can get a day off when you are here this time. The water spots on the lens will be self explanatory,I'm sure ,if we can get them to bite.We dont even have to put in at the public ramp and will pass some great redfish,snook and trout(secret) spots on the way. If it's windy,we can hang by the mangroves and catch reds and snook providing there is no fronts. If there is, we will have to settle for specks which is fine by me.  

You mean my little guy? I still have to order the hydraulics  for the steering.Doubt if it will be ready in a week. I know it wont be.