I've got it again. That urge.
Images jump from magazines I shouldn't be looking at. Tidal waters gently lapping against sexy curves; sun shining upon exotic beaches; the contrasting shades of dark and light; and speed. Oh yes, speed. How I long to be hot and wet there, too.
Yeah, I'm back to wanting to build a boat again. It's not even new, glossy issues of magazines like WoodenBoat that get me jonesing to get sawdust all over myself, risking the loss of fingers and the possible gluing of myself to something unfortunate. It's the back issues I've kept. The ones I'll flip through every so often to rekindle that love of wood and water.
The ones where, turning to the back of the classified section, there's often listings of "boats for free." Direlect crafts in need of TLC and a lot of green, not to mention blood, sweat, tears and insanity in taking on such a project. And really, I've got such a project in my backyard garage in the shape of my grandfather's old mahogany speedboat.
I'm not that crazy. My woodworking skills would do more harm than good on that heirloom craft. I'm thinking more along the lines of a small canoelike thing that can be built from two sheets of 4X8 marine-grade plywood and some scrap. A wee paddler I can toss on top of the car and have some fun in. Big enough for me and the Cutlet (after the Camping Disaster of 2001, the Petite Filet won't go boating with me anymore). I've got the plans for it. Wouldn't be too expensive. Even I could probably pull it off.
But I need to finish some of my lingering home projects first. My family will be visiting relatives out of town next week, which means I can turn Casa del T-bone into a scene much like that of a This Old House TV show project house. Lumber in the kitchen, tools in the living room, etc. Maybe if I can make an effort and make some progress, I'll have wifely support to build a little boat for myself.
Wish me luck!
you are the only person other than my step-dad i know who goes gaga over "wooden boat" magazine. the calendar is a traditional gift in his stocking every christmas, too.
I wish I had the patience to build a wooden boat. But being that I don’t, I’m glad that there are folks like you who do. I will be cheering you on from the sidelines and hoping for photos once the project begins.
I suck at working with wood, but I know what you mean. Whenever I watch This Old House or the Yankee Workshop tv show I always want to build a workshop and start building stuff. They make it look so easy and great.
Wooden boats are beautiful. Go for it sometime! Me....boats....*covers mouth and turns green*
Swiftly, swiftly flew the ship,
Yet she sailed softly too:
Sweetly, sweetly blew the breeze --
On me alone it blew.
Rime of the Ancient T-Bone
or
But O the ship, the immortal ship! O ship aboard the ship!
O ship of the body—ship of the soul—voyaging, voyaging, voyaging.
Walt T-Bone Whitman
or
Red sails in the sunset,
Way out on the sea,
Oh carry my loved one
Home safely to me . .
Jimmy T-Bone Kennedy
Yay, T-bone! I'm sure that someday you'll build that boat. And it will be glorious.
Speaking of This Old House, try to find the show where Norm builds the boat. It was beautiful, and totally perfect. You'll be gaga.
good luck! got me to thinking about mor fun things too!