I’m sure if you’re considering getting a boat and going cruising on a budget you’ll be getting a shit load of push-back from just about everybody that it just can’t be done. Kind of a bummer that. The truth is, there’s a plethora of good inexpensive sailboats just waiting for someone to find them and …
I’ve been following the build of a Bolger design of late and it’s akin to fingernails being dragged across a chalkboard to me. Admittedly, it’s a very common mistake that’s being made but I find that the misuse of epoxy just drives me batshit crazy. Epoxy is great stuff but it is expensive and it …
Way back when I was living on a peniche just outside of Paris, I seriously considered building George Buehler’s Hager design. I still think it would have been a great boat to cruise with. With a 28-foot LOD it’s a small boat of the Pardey mindset but shippy as all hell and more than able …
So, here’s the ongoing question most of us are trying to deal with: what is the most needed attribute for successful, low-budget cruising or building/refitting a boat? Is it your sailing ability? The ability to make a perfect dovetail? Having the right gear? Enough money? Maybe the correct answer is none of the above, and …
I spend a lot of tie trying to come up with cunning plans where one can build a boat that works for less money which, I’ll admit if something of a frustrating addiction. Made worse as budget building stalwarts like plywood, lumber, and industrial epoxies keep going up in price. This last week I’ve been …
I know everyone says that when using plywood aboard a boat that one should always use the best marine plywood you can get. So here’s where that advice does not quite add up. Some time back I built a hard dodger with marine ply, saturated it with epoxy and glassed then painted it. I was …
In my RSS inbox today there was another “is the cruising life for you” themed podcast. Which apparently answers all your needful questions like “What’s it all going to cost?”. The thing is, I don’t feel the need to check out the podcast in question because it will just be a regurgitation of the same …
What it costs and empowerment from a surprising source…. Read More »
Over the last five years or so I’ve regularly watched a YouTube channel of a guy who’s bought a boat and embarked in a restoration. On one hand it’s been very entertaining as the guy in question makes good shows and does a better than most exposition of how to do stuff. While on the …
This is about the time of year I perk up and pay attention to the various and sundry pre-boatshow press releases as there are usually some interesting bits of information on where boat design is going. Take this new boat from Dufour… It’s the smallest boat in the Dufour line which in itself is interesting …
So, yeah, about that new self-steering gear… Right now I’m in the process of getting all the bits together to assemble a kit to build the it and the various pieces not readily available on a tropical island paradise are, mostly, currently winging their way to my PO box. Putting together a “kit” before starting …
Getting ready to build a new self-steering gear… Read More »
