May take the plunge

[Dave]

I am considering building a weekender...my first attempt at a boat.  I am an avid woodworker and I am just curious how difficult the work will be.  I have owned powerboats for year and have been thinking it would be nice to just enjoy the silence of the water.  What a better wat to get into sailing than building your own boat....Anyway, thank you in advance for your help.  Also, are there any builders in the CT area???

Dave

[Arnie Eaton]

Hi Dave, Welcome aboard. I think you will find the building of a Weekender very easy with your woodworking experience. Just remember to read and reread all the instructions, measure twice and cut once, and ask questions of the members of this board. Most of us have been there. I'm in Montana so won't be able to help in person but let the board help you. Also be very safety minded with power tools. Sounds like you know your way around them, but be careful. I'm building the Vacationer, Weekenders' big brother and the plans are very clear and consise. Also Mike Stevenson monitors this board and will lend a hand with advise if asked.

[Mike Donlin]

C'mon and jump in Dave, the water is fine.

Building these boats is a POC (piece of cake) after you have the boat done of course!

There are a few (many?) moments of head scratching and some quiet time sitting in a moaning chair with a brew in hand while you contemplate the next step, but everything is laid out in small steps and the slower you go the faster you get done. I know that doesn't sound right but it is so true with this project.

Nothing is hard or complicated, some things are just a bit strange until you try them the first time, like cutting curves in plywood with a circular saw, which works great by the way.

I'm a medicore woodworker and had never sailed before I built this boat, this has been an awesome experience, building a great looking boat, learning to sail, and meeting a great bunch of people online and in person, it is the trip of a lifetime for me.

By the way, this board is the greatest resource for any question you have no matter how many times it has been asked before, it will be answered again.

[Derek]

Welcome Dave!

One of the items that convinced me to "take the plunge" was seeing the websites of all the other Weekender builders, watching them proceed throught the steps, make mistakes and corrections, and all end up with just a gorgeous looking boat.

Take some time and look through a few and you'll see that each one actually enjoyed the building as much as they now do the sailing. I look forward to the day mine too will be on the water.

[ken connors]

what part of ct are you from, dave. im in southern ri building a vacationer

[Dave]

First, thank you all for the responses.  I plan on ordering the plans today for the weekender.  I have never been one to shy away from a challenge.  I look forward to the great help I am sure I will get from the people on this board.  There will be some boat building going on in Naugatuck, CT.  Learning to sail should definately be a wonderful experience....especially in a boat i have built myself.  Thanks again for the responses!

Dave Pippa

[Johannah]

Dave,   There are a number of finished boats within a days drive for you.  You might want to volunteer to crew on them this summer so you can start to learn to sail before yours is in the water.  We are a bit far for you plus our boat is down on the Eastern Shore but if you are down that way, let me know and we can arrange a sail.  Check out the other board for Stevenson boats to aid on locating all the boats closest to you.  Best of luck to you.

[Pat Mellema]

Dave
I decided in August of 2002 to get the plans for a weekender and got it ready for fibrtglass before the weather turned cold. I have about 3 1/2 weeks in but my job allowed me to work about 10 hours er day on this project.  Hopefully  I will be able to finish it up as soon as the weathet changes. It is supposed to be 0 out tonite so it will be a while yet.