Hooked On Wooden Boats

Today’s podcast is Part 1 (HOWB 135 is Part 2) of an interview with Jon Wilson – founder of the WoodenBo in Brooklin, ME. WoodenBoat is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. That is truly amazing – congratulations to Jon and the whole crew at WoodenBoat! In today’s interview, Wilson discusses his growing up years in Rhode Island with summers in the Thimble Islands; when and how he started boating and getting interested in wooden boats; and the first 10 years of WoodenBoat magazine.

Today’s podcast is an interview with Dick Wagner – founder of the Center for Wooden Boats, and Aislinn Palmer – director of the 38th Annual Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival in Seattle, WA on July 4-6, 2014. I peppered Dick with questions about how and why the very first festival was started in 1976, who attended, how many boats were there, did they intend to make it an annual event, and on and on. It was fascinating to hear why it’s always been July 4th weekend, how the toy boat project started, and concerns about the cost of having enough toilet paper for the festival After talking with Dick, the conversation turned to Aislinn who grew up around boats in Maine, and has been directing the festival for 3 years. According to Aislinn, this year’s event will be quite different from the prior 2 years as the footprint of the festival will be smaller and more personal, and Seafair will have their venue separately.

Today’s podcast is an interview with Jim Miller – President, General Manager and Publisher of WoodenBoat in Brooklin, ME. Jim grew up in Rhode Island and played a lot of sports as a youth. He participated in some boating activities but the goal was mainly to catch fish and have fun. After obtaining his business degree and working for a few years, Miller spotted a classified ad (in 1985) – WoodenBoat was looking to hire a Business Manager. Jim didn’t know anything about WoodenBoat, but he was living in Maine, so he interviewed for the position and was hired. At the time, he owned a center console fiberglass boat. He soon came to love wooden vessels and has since purchased and built several. Miller owns a 1984 Bolger PowerCruiser – Blackbird. She was built by Onion River Boatworks in North Hero, VT and continues to “turn heads” cruising around Maine’s waters (see pictures below). Jim and I also discuss highlights of the 23rd Annual WoodenBoat Show in Mystic, CT – June 27-29, 2014.

Today’s podcast episode is a recording I made for HOWB002 (October 2011) about a 16.5ʹ Mill Creek kayak that I built and sold. It is a fascinating story because of the circumstances surrounding the person who purchased the kayak (he called it a canoe) who lived in a high rise building in New York city.

Today’s podcast episode is an interview with Korey Ruben and Christina Cogan. They moved from Florida in September 2013 so Korey could attend the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding in Port Hadlock, WA. Before moving from Florida, Korey was pursuing his helicopter pilots license so he could become a commercial pilot. Christina was working as a microbiologist at a large company in Florida. Korey had begun sailing and lived on a small boat for a time. He started listening to the HOWB podcast and heard about the school in Port Hadlock. In September 2012, he and Christina flew to WA to attend the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival and check out the boat school. I had the privilege of meeting them at that time, and we had a great time hanging out and attending the festival together. Korey will finish school this summer and he and Christina will pursue their dream of building a boat and sailing around the world! This is fun stuff folks

Today’s podcast episode is an interview with Pete Leenhouts of Port Ludlow, WA who is the Executive Director of the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding in Port Hadlock, WA. Pete is a retired career U.S. Navy Officer, and was the Captain of a Wooden Mine Sweeper for several years. After retiring, Pete moved to the Port Townsend area, enrolled in the Boat School and took all three boatbuilding courses – Contemporary Construction, Traditional Small Craft, and lastly Traditional Large Craft. Pete has written numerous articles about and for the School, is an avid photographer (of wooden boats especially!) and before becoming the Executive Director, served on the Board of the School. Leenhouts is very passionate about the mission and purpose of the school and in his “spare” time, works on building a Bolger Clam Skiff in his garage at home.

Today’s podcast episode is an interview with David Nichols of Austin, Texas. Nichols has been building and designing boats for almost twenty years, and is the author of three books: A Working Guide to Small Boat Sails; Lapstrake Canoes; and Building the Sea Eagles. He’s written articles for WoodenBoat and Boatbuilder magazines, as well as writing and producing boatbuilding videos. David also taught boatbuilding at the WoodenBoat School, in Brooklin, Maine, for five years and Great Lakes Boat Building School, in Cedarville, Michigan, for two years. David is a partner in the Small Craft Skills Academy (SCSA) along with Howard Rice and John Welsford. SCSA conducts virtual boatbuilding classes. During these webcasts the student is in his or her shop while the instructor builds a boat on camera. Envision a multi-camera TV broadcast that is real time interactive with the student using a web-camera in their shop, asking real time questions and get real time answers.

Today’s podcast episode is an interview with Buzz Scott, President and Founder of the Oceanswide.org research organization in Newcastle, Maine. Buzz’s maritime adventures began as a young fisherman growing up on Matinicus Island, Maine. His love for the ocean grew greater with time and his parents provided him with his first boat at the age of 12 – small double ended boat called a peapod that came with 25 wooden lobster traps. For years Buzz rowed his peapod around Matinicus, exploring its coves, beaches and ledges, fishing for lobsters, cod, mackerel and flounder and anything else that might swim, wiggle or crawl. He constantly found himself looking over the side of his boat into the water as far as he could see. As he grew older and began seining for herring, setting long lines for halibut, and dragging for scallops, there was one thing that never changed – he was always looking over the side, watching and waiting yet again to see what would surface from below the ocean. After finishing school, Scott spent 17 years as a commercial fisherman in the Gulf of Maine. He also spent 2 years on supply ships in the Gulf of Mexico and 4 years working for the United States Antarctic Program as a marine technician and marine projects coordinator, sailing on scientific research ships around Antarctica. More recently Buzz traded in the cool Antarctic climates for a slightly warmer spot. He has spent 8 years sailing up and down the west coast of the United States, Mexico and Canada. He was “sailing” as a pilot and mechanical technician, “flying” a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute in Moss Landing, California. He worked closely with scientists from around the world as they studied the deep canyons and volcanic fields below the surface of the Pacific Ocean.

Today’s podcast episode is an interview with Terry Learned of Learned’s Boat Shop in Pacific City, Oregon. Terry grew up on the Oregon coast fishing and building boats with his grandfather and father. The Learned’s Boat Shop was officially launched in 1975 and has been building (mostly) 22ʹ surf launched, plywood dories (designed by Terry’s father) since that time. Three generations of the Learned family have fished dory boats off the beach at Pacific City, Oregon from Cape Kiwanda. Since 1975 the Learned family has handcrafted these beautiful and seaworthy flat-bottomed boats. Learned dories have been shipped to buyers all over the United States, including Florida, Alaska and the Pribiloff Islands. Terry is currently building hull #88 in the shop. Learned’s Boat Shop has been featured in “WoodenBoat” Magazine and “The National Fisherman”, among others and they are proud members of the Pacific City Doryman’s Association. According to Terry “Our goal is to work with our customers to create a handcrafted dory to specifications that will ensure your satisfaction’.

Today’s podcast episode is an interview with Tom Jackson, senior editor of WoodenBoat Magazine in Brooklin, Maine. Tom built his first boat at the age of 10 while living in the mountains of British Columbia, and his interests then and since have included woodworking, boatbuilding, maritime history, nautical archaeology, sailing, and rowing. He worked as a journalist in Oregon and Washington after graduating from the University of Oregon, at the same time always looking for boatbuilding, sailing, and racing opportunities. In the early 1990s, he served as a volunteer boatbuilder on a project to build three boats at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland. In 1997, he joined the editorial staff at WoodenBoat, combining his professional experience with his lifetime passion. His interests range from yachts to small traditional craft. Since moving to Maine, Jackson has served as crew in such races as the Eggemoggin Reach Regatta, the Marblehead-to-Halifax Race, and the Bermuda Race, most notably on a cold-molded “spirit of tradition” 76- footer. He is the co-author, with Maynard Bray, of Worthy of the Sea: K. Aage Nielsen and His Legacy of Yacht Design, published in 2006. In 2005, he sailed the Blekinge Archipelago as part of the one-week Raid Sweden, crewing for a Kalmarsund Pilot Boat replica. In 2008, he sailed from Dublin, Ireland, to Roskilde, Denmark, as one of 65 crew in the undecked, 98’ Viking ship replica HAVHINGSTEN FRA GLENDALOUGH. His articles for WoodenBoat have taken him into shipyards to work alongside professional shipwrights, notably on the C.A. THAYER restoration in Alameda, California; the CHARLES W. MORGAN restoration and a whaleboat construction at Mystic Seaport in Connecticut; and the ADVENTURESS restoration at Haven Boatworks in Port Townsend, Washington. He is currently working on a history related to the 1841 whaleship CHARLES W. MORGAN. Tom is also the founder of Maine’s Small Reach Regatta, a “raid”-like event for rowing and sailing craft which is now in its ninth year. In 2008, he launched his 17’8” traditionally crafted lapstrake Nomans Land boat, which he built himself, down to casting his own bronze hardware and building his own sails.

Today’s podcast episode is an interview with small boat builder, adventurer, and author Tom Pamperin. Tom is originally from Wisconsin and currently on assignment teaching English in Kuwait City, Kuwait. Tom built his current boat – Jagular – a few years back and has experienced a series of adventures (or “(mis)adventures” as Tom calls them) in this $300 sailboat. Tom is writing a book about his fun times on the water.

Today’s interview is with Chartered Engineer Russ Bulley of Northhampton, England. Russ contacted me by email to tell the restoration story of his 35ʹ LOA, 1954 double ended wooden sloop (convertible to cutter rig) Garnet. She was restored over a 3 year period ending in 2011. My email response to Russ went something lik this: “Let’s do a podcast!” to which Russ quickly obliged. It all started with a job transfer from the UK to Malaysia 7 years ago. Russ became interested in acquiring a wooden boat with a heritage/pedigree, and wasn’t afraid of one needing “restoration”. His search took him to nearby New Zealand where he purchased Garnet. She had a solid hull, but needed a deck, engine, and other work not yet discovered. Over a 3 year period, she was lovingly restored by local New Zealand shipwrights to her original beauty. Unfortunately the original restoration estimates were woefully inadequate to properly complete the project. After much nail biting and contemplation, Bulley went forward with the project spending a significant amount more than originally intended. In Russ’s words “I could have bought a new Beneteau for what I spent on Garnet!” When the restoration was complete in 2011, Bulley had her shipped home to the UK where she arrived in June 2012. Since then he has enjoyed sailing and tinkering with her at her home port of Suffolk Yacht Harbour. One day he hopes to pass Garnet and her special heritage onto his children. Garnet was constructed by boatbuilder Allan William Birchall of New Zealand (see bio below) and is a one-off design loosely based on the lines of Norwegian Naval Architect Colin Archer’s (1832 – 1921) boats. She was launched in 1954, but a large piece of her history is missing. If you know anything about the vessel, please contact me and I will put you in touch with Russ. Thanks!

Today’s interview is with Sam Johnson, Executive Director of the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria, OR. Sam grew up on a ranch in California messing about on ponds, streams and creeks with his own raft and other small makeshift boats. In the summer his family would vacation at Capitola, CA by Soquel Creek where Johnson would get his boating fix on the local rowboats. While pursuing a PhD degree in Marine Biology at Stanford University in Monterey, CA, Johnson began his wooden boat tutelage. The Monterey Bay Boatworks is located on the University’s property in Monterey. Sam spent nearly as much time repairing and working on Monterey fishing boats as working on his PhD during that 7 year period. Next Johnson was on the Clark University in Wooster, MA as a teacher. The University was only 1.5 hours from Mystic Seaport where he spent many weekends learning more tools of the wooden boat trade from legends such as John Gardner. Johnson started bronze casting after inquiring about purchasing a custom bronze porthole for his boat, and finding the price to be seemingly astronomical. He had taken a workshop on casting and foundry work, so he dusted off his notes, set up his first foundry and began casting bronze. Over the years he has enjoyed and become adept at casting bronze parts of all kinds for traditional boats. Sam teaches courses in bronze casting at the WoodenBoat School in Maine, the Center for Wooden Boats in Seattle, and other locations around the US and Canada. In addition courses on boatbuilding, and other traditional arts are being taught at the Barbey Center of the Columbia River Maritime Museum.

Today’s interview is with Dennis Armstrong of The Knotted Line in Redmond, WA. I met with Dennis at his home and got a tour of his shop/garage which is chock full of materials and products he has made over the years. How did he get started in the knot business? While visiting the east coast as a young adult, Dennis met a Coast Guard Quartermaster who showed him how to tie a Turks head. Next Armstrong tied a String Ring for his new bride, and then promptly forgot how to tie the turks head. For their first wedding anniversary Mrs. Armstrong gave her hubby a Knot book, a fid, and two balls of twine with which he practiced and fiddled and learned and practiced and fiddled and learned. From that humble beginning, Dennis has learned the art of Marlinspike and can tie numerous items such as a key fob, a monkeys fist, a cotton square knotted belt, boat fenders, bow puddings, decorative mats, and lots of other cool stuff. Dennis also is knowledgable in the traditional rigging of ships and has worked on the Zodiac, Wawona, and a replica of the Nina. Dennis is a retired geologist, and devotes most of his spare time now to filling orders for customers through his online store – TheKnottedLine.com. Check it out or give Dennis a call at 425 885-2457.

Today’s interview is with Eric Hvalsoe of Hvalsoe Boats in Shoreline, WA. Eric grew up in a boating family, and has been involved with small wooden craft design and construction, marine carpentry and fine woodworking since 1981. Hvalsoe was trained as a professional boatwright at the Bates College in Tacoma, WA. He has been designing, building, and repairing boats, and teaching wooden boats skills for 30 plus years. Eric designed the Hvalsoe 13 and 16, traditional lapstrake rowing and sailing craft which have been given rave reviews by builders and sailors over the world. He has also built several gorgeous 1930’s style speedboats such as the Aurora and Little Miss Canada IV

Today’s interview is with Gayle Brantuk , proprietor of Glen-L Marine in Bellflower, CA. Gayle is the daughter of Glen L. Witt who started the business in 1953. At the age of 95, Glen still visits the office to see how the company and employees are faring. During the interview, Gayle tells the fascinating story of how her father wanted to build his own boat (to save money), but had a hard time finding amateur boat building plans. During WWII, Glen was in the Army Air Corp, learned drafting, and took a correspondence course from the Westlawn Naval Design School. Shortly after leaving the army, Glen started applying his skills to designing plywood boats and selling plans and frame kits to amateur boat builders all over the world. Today the company sells plans for over 300 boats ranging in size from 6ʹ – 55ʹ, and made from wood, steel and fiberglass.

Thanks to your support and the support of hundreds of other wooden boat lovers, HOWB has completed its second full year with flying colors. This Episode is dedicated to looking at the Great Happenings of 2013 a my Plans for 2014! Highlights of 2013 I attended 5 Boat Festivals- Olympia, Port Townsend, Seattle, Bainbridge Island, Lake Chelan Started phone interviews: Doug Hylan (087), Pat Lown (094) , Iain Oughtred (116, 117) Started Interview the Expert Series 6 Const Methods, Epoxy, Glued Plywood Lapstrake Finished building my 12ʹ canoe Chelan Built and sold Foresail 1 (SCAMP) Bought a partially assembled SCAMP to build in 2014 Taught classes at Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival and later at Northwest Maritime Center. HOWB has over 500 newsletter subscribers now. Met more folks at WoodenBoat in Brooklin, ME 2 Extra Special interviews – Roy Jackson (072) 33 years building 43’ schooner; Henry LePage (100) 8 year old built Poor Boy Skiff Had an article published about HOWB in Swedish Boating Magazine Båtnytt. Met and connected with a ton of new people – very rewarding. Thanks for being a part of the HOWB journey in 2013. I hope it has been as rewarding for you as it has been for me.

This episode is an interview with renowned small boat designer Iain Oughtred of the Isle of Skye in Scotland. To listen to a previous interview with Iain about his life journey to designing and building small wooden boats, listen to HOWB116. Iain has over 100 boat designs to his credit, most of which you can buy online at WoodenBoat.com. There is also a biography about Iain titled – A Life in Wooden Boats. During this Interview the Expert recording, Iain and I discuss the following points on Glued Plywood Lapstrake construction: Description and history Skill level required to utilize this method Cost of this method versus other building methods Time to build versus other methods Special tools and materials required Pros and cons

This episode is an interview with renowned small boat designer Iain Oughtred of the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Iain grew up in Australia and discovered sailing in his teens. He began sailing on a wooden Vee Jay sailing dinghy, next he was onto an Australian Scow Moth, and then to a Gwen 12 sloop. Iain raced Gwen 12’s for 6 seasons, quit his model maker job, and built 7 Gwen 12’s of which he kept 3 for himself. During a visit to the UK, he toured Scotland with friends and set foot on the Isle of Skye. He knew at that moment the Isle was where he belonged and determined to return one day. After working for a Naval Architect in Australia, he eventually made it back to the UK and then to the Isle of Skye and continued his boat designing and building endeavors. Iain has 116 designs to his credit and these beautiful and functional boats are being built around the world. You can buy plans at WoodenBoat.com. There is also a biography about Iain titled – A Life in Wooden Boats. ------------------------------------------------ You can contact me at woodenboatdan@gmail.com to share you comments, feedback, stories, and wooden boat adventures. Keep the bright side up and the barnacled side down - Wooden Boat Dan over and out :D PS  Please note this podcast was recorded several years ago - some of the links, email addresses, phone numbers, and promos mentioned are outdated and no longer valid.

This episode is an interview with myself on building the SCAMP micro-cruising sailboat. I started the boat in June 2013 and completed the assembly of the kit in October 2013. Go to Launch to see a video of launch day I spent a total of 208 hours building the boat from a kit purchased from Small Craft Advisor Magazine (who is the brainchild for the SCAMP). The cost to build and assemble the kit was $4,137 and I sold the boat recently for $7,200. If you do the math, I earned a little less than $15/hour for my time. It was a really fun boat to build and I learned a lot. Listen to the podcast and you will hear all the details of the build, lessons learned, pros and cons of the kit and more. ------------------------------------------------ You can contact me at woodenboatdan@gmail.com to share you comments, feedback, stories, and wooden boat adventures. Keep the bright side up and the barnacled side down - Wooden Boat Dan over and out :D PS  Please note this podcast was recorded several years ago - some of the links, email addresses, phone numbers, and promos mentioned are outdated and no longer valid.