Thank you for all your compliments yesterday. You made my day knowing sometimes I make a very small sliver of yours. :-) Flattery will get you everywhere! Now, on to today's nonsensical nuggets ...
BACKYARD BOATBUILDING 101
Let’s go build a boat, one that we know will float.
Let’s go build a boat and take it sailing.
Onto the ocean blue, sailing away with you!
Let’s go ... build a boat!
– to the tune of "Let’s Go Fly a Kite" from Mary Poppins
Things one needs to build a boat:
1. More ambition than sense.
2. A friend with fancy wood-working tools who is willing to help.
3. A place to build the boat, preferably indoors.
4. Proper materials with which to build it.
5. Simple, detailed plans that cater to idiots and ne’er-do-wells.
6. Some extra time and money.
7. The determination to get the job done.
8. A reason to have the boat once it’s finished (and a place to use it).
9. A personal flotation device (PFD) for every passenger.
10. A paddle or other means of moving it through the water.
My buddy with the power tools is almost as excited about building the thing as I am. Not sure I would be able to tackle this project myself as No. 5 describes me (twice).
Some details:
1. 16 feet in length. Just more than 2 feet at its widest. Think flat-bottom canoe.
2. Able to accommodate 2 adults and 1 child; or 1 adult and a gaggle of kiddos; or 1 adult (which I imagine will usually be the case, as my family will be more than content to wave and make funny faces. Or call for assistance when I drop the paddle).
3. Am thinking I’ll paint the outside of the hull (I’m using boatey terms now like “hull”) a deep red, and then varnish the inside and gunwales (trim pieces along the top of the hull) with a light stain.
4. I’d like to get a nice wooden double paddle (think kayak), but I’ll probably start out with a cheaper plastic/aluminum one.
5. When completed, it should be light enough to cartop. For short trips, I might be able to rig it up to fit in our soon-to-be-acquired full-size pickup truck.
Possible names:
1. Seabiscuit
2. The Waterboy
2. Boaty McLakeworthy
3. Uppa Creek
4. Little Red Wave-Rider
5. Little J
6. Wee Woody
7. Biggie Smalls
8. T-Boat
9. Tuna (Chicken of the Sea)
10. Scrappy
The Cutlet’s real name starts with J, and one of our nicknames for him (he has many if you haven’t guessed: Cutlet, Captain Cutie, Mini Me, Droolly O’Spittle) is Little J. Right now that is the front-runner.
This follows an often-used tradition of naming a boat (usually a workboat) after a son or daughter. Pleasurecraft are more aptly honored by carrying the name of the owner’s wife. My grandfather’s boat, The Margaret, will some day carry the Petite Filet’s “real” name in holding that tradition.
I’m currently looking for a suitable piece of marine plywood, the chosen starting point for the project. I am open to name suggestions if you guys have brilliant ideas. Contest, anyone?
Have a great day. Let hope keep you afloat when nothing else will.
