Month: November 2019

Two dates to keep in mind:

• November 30th, relaunch of our current project
• December 7th, start of our next project, and a party to celebrate

Last Saturday we came in to see a beautiful set of floorboards for the Davidson dinghy, ready to oil and fasten in place – it’s always fun to see what the boat-shed elves get up to during the week!

We then worked on the cleats and toggles to hold them in place, even when the boat is stored upside down on the deck of its mothership.  We got them shaped and epoxied in place.

This past Saturday we got the final coat of paint on the interior, and fastened the name-board.  We look forward to launching Venus this coming Saturday, November 30th – come down to take a look at our work and help us send her off!

The next weekend, December 7th, we’ll be starting our next build, an Ian Oughtred designed ‘Auk’, a dinghy for Brent’s Kettenburg sloop.  We’ll get started on the strongback and molds, and then have a bit of an early Christmas celebration as well.  We invite you to the shed to join in and learn more about the project!  We’ll supply the snacks, and ask you to BYOB.  Festivities start around 1pm.

Last Saturday was also a ‘tool improvement’ day, with new planer blades, the start of a dust collection hood for the planer, a new cordless driver, an adapter for dust collection for the tablesaw, and a new bandsaw blade.  The bandsaw is a whole new tool, cutting so nicely!!  We look forward to enjoying all the improvements!

Hope to see you at the dock!

The Davidson dinghy is looking better all the time, and is getting close to done!  We painted the seats green, and are now working on the floorboards, which will also be painted to match.

We’ll be fastening the floorboard assemblies with toggles to hold them in place when the boat is stored upside down on the deck of the mothership.

We’re still working on covers for the Button Swan and Vogler.  Here we’re trying out some material that we got for free, but upon reconsideration, decided to buy some proper material that would last a lot longer.

We’ve been enjoying some great sailing on Arnt & Valerie’s boat Anje – she’s such a fun boat to sail!

Arnt & Valerie have put Odin up for sale – if you’re looking for a sweet gaff-rigged double-ender, take a look at https://vancouver.craigslist.org/van/boa/7012783597.html.  I’ve suggested renaming our club as Oarlock, Sail & Diesel Wooden & Aluminum Boat Club and buying Odin, but it hasn’t gained much traction.

We have an opportunity to help our former club member Ed fulfill a dream, and preserve history.  Ed’s message:

We seem to be starting a little project acquiring old Nova Scotian schooners, repairing them, and getting them sailing in a fleet of tour boats, community engagement workshops, day charters, etc…

Here are some links to the project:

https://schoonerrescue.wordpress.com/  –  You’ll find the link to the GoFundMe effort here.

https://www.facebook.com/The-Heritage-Schooner-Rescue-Project-113890396709651/

gf.me/u/wgm7b2

Tell your friends?!

He mentions being interested in an old boatyard where Rob, Georgina & Tom’s boat was built.  Georgina adds:

When Tom and I were in Nova Scotia, we made a connection with a neighbour who lives next door to the now quite broken down boatshed where our lovely Ern was built. Right after making that connection, we went to see Ed Sturgeon, his wife Louise and new baby Beatrix. Tom told him the story of the shed.. at the time I wondered if Ed Sturgeon might just be the guy to do something about restoring that place. He does have the energy, drive and skills. Well…. looks like something might just happen with that.

So, if you’re willing to do so, it would be great to help Ed in that venture – and potentially keeping a historic boatyard alive!