More photos of SCAMP under construction.

She looks almost ready to cruise...

Doubling the after edge of cabin roof. Note double access hatches. They will be typical watertight type eventually. That long cutout in the center will be an access door inside the mast box to get at the mast step. Hard to see, but there's a small drain hole at the base of the bulkhead so that rain water and spray don't collect but instead drain away into the cockpit.

View forward. Note almost finished coamings and beamy cockpit. Although the primary accommodations goal was a comfortable solo berth on the cockpit sole with upper body under the "veranda,"  with filler boards, SCAMP's generous cockpit will accommodate two sleepers out in the cockpit entirely.

And finally, the answer to the burning question every hardship-loving,  minimalist small-boat cruiser has secretly wondered about with regard to SCAMP: Yes, a grown man can sit entirely out of the weather—even without the boom tent.

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Paul Frankowski at the helm of a Felucca

Zanzibar Dhow in construction

Deck of Dhow

Dhow Mombasa

Dhow Rig

Fishing dhow red sea Hurgharda

Fishing dhow red sea Hurgharda

Sailing Shaui Zanzibar

Name Nizva It looks this boat is expedition boat used by trench to make journey from Persian Gulf to med retracing legend of HENRY de MONFREID

Fishing harbour Hugharda

boat hugharda red sea

feluccas

Felucca
Nile barge called FELUCCA, nowadays hull made from steel, wooden rigging sails Egyptian cotton. Lateen sail in order to set, is raised by halyard along long spar, from point were mast is touching spar up to the top of the spar, spar is made from 3 parts permanently fixed to mast in upward position, boom can be raised upwards parallel to spar, in this method it is easy to reef and store sail, relatively big rudder, same Feluccas have centerboard which can be raised when boat is crossing shallows, to steer skipper have to use whole weight of his body, strong weather helm

detail of sails of Feluccas

Lateen riged boat Tunisia

Jahazi Tonga harbour

SAILING ON YAHAZI

Derelikt lambo perahu Sulawesi

on deck of lambo perahu Makasar

mast base of Jangolan outrigger Lambok

Bhur on Ganges River


all images courtesy Paul Frankowski




I've written about Paul before, take a look. Paul is on a quest to document working sail as it is being used in various locales around the world. He doesn't have a grant or a salary that pays him to do this. It's his passion and he is funding the project out of pocket. Here's what I wrote before, explaining his mission:

Born in Poland, he immigrated to the UK in 1995 after learning to sail on the Baltic in what he terms "the tough school sailing world of a communist regime," where he was denied entry to foreign ports. He's made his way by working as a builder and was inspired by Clifford Hawkins' The Dhow, and the book and film of The Last Sailor, by Neil Hollander and Harald Mertes to document indigenous working sail, or as he puts it, cargo ships.

After a visit to the Mediterranean, where he experienced the local ciaques, he sailed to Tanzania and Zanzibar where he managed to sail on a Jahazi, an indigenous dhow, and reports "it was like to be back in Vasco da Gamma times (with) no radio, no life preservers and so on." Next he went to Indonesia where he sailed a Lambo Perahus, a type of Günter sloop. Lately he's been to the Bahamas to document the Haitian sloop - certainly a lot of adventures. There is also a photo of an Indian dhow on the Ganges, so I would assume... ?

Paul has also published two articles about these craft in Polish sailing magazines. His next research landfalls would be to Brazil to sail Saveiros and to Madagascar where there are still plenty of cargo schooners, Gaolettes and dhows. I am hoping for the best of luck for Paul and the book he's writing on this subject.

This year he cruised his Moody 333 Perhau from the UK to Egypt, and documented Felucca. He sent me another parcel of photos, some from his latest trip, some from earlier journeys, many of which I am sharing with you. As I mentioned above, Paul has no funding beyond his own resources. I feel he is working on a very important project and would like to suggest that anyone who can help Paul with funding and believes in his project, step forward. Email me and I'll connect you with Paul. You can work out the details together.

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Construction of our SCAMP prototype continues. At her new 11' 11" size there's also plenty of room to sleep two in the cockpit with filler boards.

Photos below of kit construction thus far, featuring remarkable pre-beveled planks from our friends at Turn Point Design.

If you want to visit Port Townsend for two weeks in December, learn boat building from the very talented staff at the Northwest Maritime Center, and tow your own SCAMP home, contact the Center at: 360-385-3628 x123

Details on next summer's SCAMPING TRIP micro minicruiser rendezvous coming soon. —Eds

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ALLELUIA
In 2112
dundee bridged built in 1929 Camaret, skipper: Jean Yves Quillivic - Kervoazec Plouhine
main features: length
15 m width: 4,19 m GRT: 29.67 tx engine: 75 hp Diesel
"Hallelujah" had Camaret (CM 2363) where it was rigged as a sloop hull white, he was already practicing fishing for lobsters on the English coast and relaxed sometimes at St Ives.
The sloop Hallelujah, CM 2363 sailed from Newlyn to sail (and paddles)
Many thanks to the National Maritime Museum of Greenwich

TU PE Duanne
In 2419
Ad 405789
troller built in 1956 to Plouhinec
Kersaudy site / Gourlaouen
skipper: Jacques Le Ga
main features; length:
7.50 m width: 2.85 m Gross tonnage: 3.28 tx engine: 15 hp CLM
Armed with fishing early in his career, "Annie" will be sold at the pleasure twice, bought by Joseph Cariou, it will be renamed "Bertrand"
Note that the boat will be reset to the fishery after 1965 for some time, he will return to the marina and is still visible today Audierne
In 2419 Annie
Bertrand AD 4057
foreground "Saviour of Small" lug Bigoudin

Aster de Mer
In 2563
decked canoe built in 1956 in Pont L'Abbé

skipper: Charles Raoul
main features; length:7 m width: 2.6 m Gross tonnage: 1.74 tx engine: 22 hp Bolinders

Reached Audierne in 1964 from the district Guilvinec (GV 7691), "Aster Seas" wrecked on the bar Audierne September 5, 1966. The accident did fortunately no casualties but the boat was seriously damaged and had to be demolished Feb. 6, 1967

BOLONTEZ HOPELESS
In 2461
Ad 279010
not decked canoe built in 1959 in the island of Sein
Louis starts Tanguy
skippeer: Joseph Milliner
main features; length:6.40 m width: 3.03 m Gross tonnage: 4.18 tx engine: 20 hp Bolinders
Bolontez Gifted, Brittany expression meaning "God"

Caprice FLOTS
In 2601
AD 184855
troller built in 1966 in Douarnenez
Site Jean Marie Tanguy
Skippper: Paul Milliner - Ile de Sein
main features;length:6.87 m Width: m GRT: 5.41 tx engine: 41 hp MWM
Incorporated by Eric Losq Plogoff, it was then registered in district of Douarnenez. He is now finishing his life quietly in the cemetery of boats Locquéran
in the port of Breast with Vagabond Islands (photo G) and with Hope in God (photo D)
the bar in the Raz

Cyclone

CYCLONE
In 2666
Ad 279097
potters / long liner / shell built in 1970 to Freight
Construction Stipon
Skipper: Follic François (François Cyclone) - Ile de Sein
main features; length: 9 mwidth: 3.58 m GRT: 7.97 tx engine: 90 hp Baudouin
During a campaign Jacques scallops in the harbor of Brest, "Cyclone" hook a former anchor in the middle of the pool shell and sink. It will then be salvaged and sold to La Rochelle.
Follic Francois (Francois said cyclone, named after his old boat) has long been the patron of the "City of Paris" SNSM the canoe from the island of Sein
the bar in the "Trouziard" also said the Torpedo channel (Raz de Sein in the Old)
A Breast is not only a tradition to name the boat to his boss, it's almost a necessity as many surnames are identical (Spinec, Guilcher, Follic, Milliner, Fouquet ...). Jos Fouquet told me that at one point there were 17 Joseph Fouquet on the island ...
After the accident in the harbor of Brest, "Cyclone" will turn to the districts of Saint Brieuc and then Sables d 'Olonne under the name "Candy" and then to La Rochelle in 2005 still under the same namPhoto taken shortly after the accident at the port entrance channel. The boat was towed to the level of ASM to clear the password input port where it presented a danger

EMERAUDE des MERS

pinnace deck built in 19s50 to Audierne
Glehen site
Boss: François Priol - Mountain Audierne
main features;length:
15 width: 4.16 GRT: 23.12 engine: 100 hp Meuse
Anchorage St. Ives
Failed to Locquéran cemetery alongside Annette Frances and St. Michael, the bow into the sea, there are still clearly the distinctive blue hull

ETOILE D'Arvor
At 2409
dundee lobster boat built in 1956 to Audierne
Peter starts Glehen
boss Yves Moalic
main featureslength:
15.80 m width: 4.95 m Gross Tonnage: 28.37 tx engine: 80 hp Baudouin DK4
Newlyn 25 october 1981 by Michael Pellowe
"Etoile d'Arvor" sold to the island of Yeu in May 1967 (YE 274512) was wrecked in 1980 on the set of barges at the port of Les Sables d 'Olonne after a human error, 'There were fortunately no casualties were reported.

FLUER LISIEUX
In 1952
decked sloop built in 1928 in Les Sables d'Olonne
Boss: Peter Gouzien - Plouhinec
main features; length:12.46 m width: Gt: ttx engine: 50 hp CLM
"Flower of Lisieux" was first registered in the district Guilvinec (GV 5619) he came to Audierne in 1936, it was demolished in 1953

FRANCE LIBRE
In 2269
decked canoe built in 1948 in Douarnenez
boss Dominique Fouquet - Ile de Sein
main features; length:
9.30 m width: 3.03 m Gross tonnage: 4.68 tx engine: 15 hp and 40 hp DK2 Baldwin in 1965
Still an evocative name of the tragic events of 40 years for this boat Senan built in 1948 ...

HERVE JACQUES
In 2329
AD 278990
pinnace deck built in 1951 to Léchiagat (29)
Jules Baltic shipyard
Boss: Jacques Trividic - Plouhinec
main features; length:
14.02 width: 4.70 GRT: 20.58 tx engine: 120hp Baldwin in 1957
"Jacques Herve" will be sold in England in June 1977
Embarkation of the purse seine
The right photo shows the differences in shipbuilding for two boats to substantially identical characteristics: one can notice a certain roundness of forms of "Jean Claude" which is not found in "Jacques Herve" which, built in guilvinec, but rather resembles those forms malamocks more square.

LA JOCONDE
In 2270
pinnace deck built in 1948 in Douarnenez
Boss: Mens
main features; length:11.57 m width: 3.73 m Gross Tonnage: 9.7 tx engine: 25 hp Baudouin then 36 hp Vialis

le Cap

MENEZ Sant Yann
to St. Ives in the early 60
Donnard Francis, the patron at the center of the photo
Francis Mac Williams with the mat.

MENEZ VEIL
In 2631
Ad 279075
troller built in 1967 in Belz
boss Louis Normant
principales longueur characteristics: 8,91 m Width: 2.90 m Gross tonnage: 4.38 tx engine: 60 hp
"Lead Veil" is a district of the parish of Plouhinec Poulgoazec, birthplace of (almost ...) of all fishermen Plouhinec. Redeemed Christian Pelaud, it will become "Kélarnec" first name before being renamed "Mab Ar Mor" by Erwan Le Gall and perishing in the flames of the plan in 1988 Mellick

SAINT YVES
In 2546
Ad 279040
troller built in 1963 in Breast
Site Jean Marie Tanguy
Boss: Richard Alexis (Lec) - Ile de Sein
main features; length:
7 m width: 2.85 m Gross tonnage: 2.58 tx engine: Perkins 40 hp
Alexis Richard, having been the Lady of the Sacred Heart St. Yves will build on the Ile de Sein in Jean Marie Tanguy
Alexis Richard also commanded the Boss Francis Hervis, canoe SNSM Island.
Acquired by Louis Arhan, "Saintyves" will be re-engined and has a wheelhouse shelter

Trouz AR MOR
At 2655
AD 279091
potters / shell built in 1969 to Camaret
Lastennet
Boss: Cletus Chevert Ile de Sein
main features; length:
9.40 m width: 3,90 m Gross tonnage: 5.97 tx engine: 100 hp Baudouin DB3
Sold at first in the neighborhood of Paimpol, it will then increase to that of Auray, where he became "Brenn Ar Mor.
He is still active to this day in Trinidad s / mer (06-2008)

TU PE DU
In 2548
Ad 279041
troller built in 1963 to Plouhinec
Kersaudy site / Gourlaouen
Boss: Marcel Pennamen - Plogoff
main features; length:8.36 m Width: m Gross tonnage: 5.60 tx engine: Renault 58 Kw
"Pe Tu Du" is the translation of Breton "on one side or the other"
It would be resumed later by Michel Belledic Plogoff and renamed "Ty Amo"
Another liner, plastic nuts, took the name of Tu Du Pe Audierne



all photos and other material courtesy

Les "dundees" motorisés d'Audierne
La flottille des langoustiers et thoniers du Cap-Sizun

some of the photos are signed, the others unnatributed






"Through this site, I wish to revive the lobster, tuna and sardine which were prosperous port Audierne between 1930 and 1980, a time when fishing weighed its weight in the economy of the entire Cape Sizun.
I would also like to pay tribute to all those bosses and fishermen, proud and brave, their families, especially those who have sacrificed their lives for their commitment to this noble profession.
The purpose of this site is to present the fishing boats of that era, I can not ignore the remarkable work of all craftsmen and laborers, carpenters, sail boats, mechanics, blacksmiths, electricians who built these boats strong and armed and elegant, beautiful book certainly as evidenced by the few units still visible today.
A thought also to operators of nostalgic "Radio Conquet" which for years have been a valuable link between the boats and families ashore."

So goes the introduction to a veritable treasure chest. Les Dundees is a photo archive, and an historic documentation, of commercial fishing on the Breton coast, centered around Audierne and Isle de Sein. It is an unparalleled tableaux, a rich feast of history. This work spans the decades from 1930 to 1980 and chronicles, indirectly, the transition from sail to diesel. With great attention to detail, this archivist brings to life the boats and the life of the Breton fishermen. There are four main groups, Le langoustier and sardinier, lobster and crab boats, Les thonier, tuna boats, Les cotiers, inshore boats , and Les hommes, devoted to sailors. Though ostensibly about the boats, this site is ultimately about the lives of fisherman told through the boats and through photographs of crew. It is without doubt one of the richest and deepest evocations of a transitional period of human endeavor I've found to date, I think it's rather profound, though it doesn't present itself that way. You'll find the presentation a bit antiquated, innocent and charming, but there's great stuff here. And be forewarned, you could lose hours, even days, taking the site in. It is a vast amount of material. What I've presented here is the merest tiny tip of the iceberg. Please risk it, you'll be greatly rewarded. Here .

I would like to apologize for the clumsy translation vis a vis the captions, I don't have french and was defaulted to using a translator, but really, that shouldn't get in the way. Enjoy

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Here are few photos of SCAMP's progress. Two days ago there was nothing—today you can get some feel for how she'll look. The staff at the Northwest Maritime Center are doing excellent work.  More details soon. —Eds

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Boat Type: Trainera. Ameriketatik (“From the Americas”) was built in 1998 in the Rockland Apprenticeship in Maine, U.S.A., under the direction of Xabier Agote. Sardine fishing techniques, based on speed and manoeuvrability, demanded a length/beam ratio as high as 1/6, twelve metres being the most common length. The hull was light (800 kg approximately), with raised bow and stern, thus facilitating the turning of the craft. The crew was large, usually of twelve rowers, even sixteen in the case of the biggest traineras.


The trainera could also sail, although the sails were never used in the aforementioned fishing technique. The sailplan included main and fore dipping-lug sails. Ameriketatik Built 1998 Length: 11.5m Beam: 2m

Ameriketatik at Cumbrae

Beach at Cumbrae, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, site of the Dorna Sail and Oar

Several boats from the Scottish Coastal Rowing Project showed up, including Boatie Rows from...

Columcille crossed the Irish Sea to participate

Ocuan is a Scots Birlinn replica built and maintained by Galgael, the host organization for Dorna Sail and Oar

This boat, and the next, were both brought by the

RWSABC, the Royal West of Scotland Amateur Boat Club, based
Greenock, Clyde

Cockenzie

Boatie Rows

Port Seton
All three of these boats, as best I can tell, are from the rather small village of Port Seton/Cockenzie,
(pronounced ko'k?ni)

Hey! I love prams, especially those built in traditional lapstrake and finished with oil and pine tar.

Correct me, but I believe here we have Ulla, Boatie Rows and Columcillle

Ulla

Ulla and Ameriketatik

Ameriketatik


warmest thanks to Chris Perkins, aka Strathkanchris, for sharing his photos with 70.8%
these are a glorious record of the event, thanks Chris





Lot's to talk about here. First of all we have another instance where a traditional boat festival has invited the Scottish Coastal Rowing Project to participate, creating an impressive synergy. Dorna Sail and Oar is a traditional boat festival which took place recently at Cumbrae Island in the Firth of Clyde.International in character and intention, the festival had visiting boats and crews form Ireland and Galicia, Spain. The celebration, in it's first incarnation, is the production of several interesting groups. I feel a little background is in order to understand what's really going on here. Bear with me.

The Sail and Oar event is part of the DORNA project, a European initiative promoting traditional boat building and related skills.

GalGael Trust

Glasgow-based GalGael Trust are known for engaging the community in building and sailing traditional boats in celebration of Scotland’s heritage. GalGael's mission is to provide a template for renewal; cultural anchor points around which people can rekindle skills, community and a sense of purpose. They describe their innovative work in this way; “At our workbenches, we build skills and self esteem. In our workshop, boats and community are rebuilt.” One of their main achievements has been the development of a unique learning project; Navigate Life providing a place where people can navigate away from a broken sense of self and live life with dignity. Over the past four years 246 people have started this journey. From its Glasgow base, the Trust works with communities across Scotland.

Cumbrae Community Development Company

CCDC is the development trust for the island of Cumbrae, owners of the Garrison House, and charged with the regeneration of the island.

CCDC was established in 2002, after a sustained period of community-led action resulted in the salvation and sympathetic restoration of a magnificent local building - Garrison House - which is centrally located in the island's only town of Millport. After several years of work renovation of the property, including a partly-glass roof, was completed in 2008.

CCDC, following its success with Garrison House, has successfully expanded its remit and is now working with the community to identify ways forward for the sustainable development of the island through projects and initiatives that will boost the local economy and improve the quality of life of residents.

DORNA

The event is part of the DORNA project, a European initiative promoting traditional boat building and related skills. DORNA Scotland is led by the GalGael Trust. Dorna lead partners from Deputacion Da Coruna will launch the BATE brand at the event. The brand will assist in marketing activity in support of the traditional boat building sector. Martin Hughes, Training Manager, said: “DORNA Scotland is delighted to be involved in the Sail and Oar event; highlighting the importance of boat-building in Scotland both historically and in the future. DORNA aims to not only celebrate and share the historic craft skills employed in building traditional vessels, but also explore how traditional boat-builders can work together to find new markets in the future.”

The Dorna Project is partially funded by the EU through the European Regional Development Fund. Get that! The EU is funding marketing initiatives to restore and preserve traditional boatbuilding skills in the Atlantic coastal communities. European largess or wisdom applied to preserving traditional skills and revitalizing coastal communities? Let me know what you think.

I'd also like to share some enthusiasm shared with me by Alec Jordan, of Jordan Boats, about the Scottish Coastal Rowing Project and it's rather phenomenal popularity with Scot's coastal communities, by putting up an (edited) email missive from Alec to me. Admittedly, Alec does have a pecuniary interest in the project as he is the supplier of the St Ayles kits, but I feel his enthusiasm for the project extends far beyond self interest.

Here are Alec's thoughts:

It would be great if we could get things moving a little elsewhere. I
have just finished writing a 1400 word article for Australian Amateur
Boat Builder and the NZ equivalent, so I am hoping that it will get
the interest going over there. We have the advantage that there is
the Scottish diaspora in NZ, so hopefully it will pick up there first.

I understand that Scott Kramer(?) (Carl Cramer, I think) at WoodenBoat also thinks that it is
a fantastic idea, but the feedback I am getting is that it is not
going to work as community based builds - more likely schools - which
misses the point a bit.

I would have thought that the coast of Maine, Chesapeake, and WA would
be the best places to try to get this going. I have heard that Mystic
are looking at doing something similar with trad built whalers, but
these will cost a fortune and need professional builders. The beauty
of the St Ayles is it's relative simplicity of build. It is also
quite forgiving - some of the tales that are coming back from the
builds are a little scary - why the **** won't people ask when in
doubt! But they are still going together.

It would be interesting to get the whaler plans and turn that into a
glued lap kit.

Anyway, I have a busy week with two more St Ayles' to cut.

If you have any ideas as to how to get things going, I'd love to hear
them - maybe put the question out on the blog....


I cold not agree with Alec more. The SCRP has been a galvanising force in bringing Scots communities together, around a wholesome and holistic endeavor. It's a great model for communities everywhere on this planet. If you have questions about this, or need help getting started, contact me or Alec. Lots of help available.
A heads up to the TSCA, this could be great project to get behind, with locally appropriate boat types involved.
So, a lot to ponder, a lot to act on. I will be sending a heads up to the Obama Administration to read this blog post, for what it's worth. Someone will read it.

Again, thanks to Chris for the loan of his photos and thanks to Alec Jordan for his enthusiasm.

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Rumery's Boat Yard

Sean Tarpey

Sean's very cool little Compass Catboat is ready to go for the end of the workday. This is a 14' fiberglass Beetle-like boat produced on Cape Cod, designed by Merv Hammett, and nicely fitted out.

Alerion 26

photo courtesy Rumery's

Alerion 26

photo courtesy Rumery's

Alerion 26

Alerion 26

Rumery's 38

photo courtesy Rumery's

Large, cavernous spaces

Unquestionably an old mill complex

Schoederbrod shell molds in the storage facility

Pearson Ensign for sale

Cape Porpoise and Kennebunk (Gooch's) Beach

Goat Island Light, then

attribution unknown

and now

Cape Porpoise

A working harbor

full of local lobstermen

looking east

Gooch's Beach, Kennebunk Lower Village

Classic Maine summer

ahhh

all photos Thomas Armstrong unless otherwise noted


Rumery's Boat Yard sits beside the Saco River in Biddeford, Me. It's been in operation since the 1960's. No longer owned by the Rumery family, it's been in the hands of the current owner, Sean Tarpey, for the last 11 years. Sean is producing the Herreschoff designed Alerion, a 26' daysailer.
Sweeter lines do not exist. The Yard also produces the Rumery's 38, a power craft inspired by the 1920's rumrunners, especially those designed by Will Frost. Sean is also gearing up to begin production on a line of racing shells in carbon pre preg, using molds he purchased from Schoederbrod at the time of their demise. Should be interesting. If you are in the area, visit this rather interesting yard and the affable Sean Tarpey. I'm certainly glad I took the time to do so.
Also, above you'll find a few shots of some of my favorite haunts in Southern ME. This was a quickly planned and executed trip, and richly rewarding. Hope you enjoy it as well

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I have been visiting Kennebunk for decades and have watched this institution in adjacent Arundel ME grow from rather modest beginnings in the barn behind this sign in 1978...

Into the diverse and modern facility you see today.

The design classroom

This is one of many rooms devoted to building, I believe this to be the wood shop

The spar room

In the foreground are two ama for a trimaran build, the largest objects in this bay by far, but this room is spiritually dominated by a collection of wooden Peapods, traditionally built.

This peapod in particular, caught my eye as the one with the most workmanlike finish, clean and minimal.

Here's a rudder detail on one of her sisters

Back to the white boat, the details are elegant,

And a high degree of craftsmanship is quite evident. The absence of brightwork or other fussy details on this particular boat allowed me to see it more clearly. Naked in it's relative simplicity, it brought to mind Thoreau and Shaker architecture.

The Landing School today is a diverse institution , offering instruction in traditional wooden construction, composite construction and marine systems.

The boat in the middle is a Landing School 2o, a state of the art composite racing class boat.

And here her exquisite derriere.

another production boat offered by the school is this center console cold molded Flyfisher 22, designed by Michael Berryer at Van Dam Custom Boats in Boyne City, MI

Clint Chase, boatbuilder

Christophe and Clint arriving at Portland's East End Yacht Basin

ditto

GIS snugged down for towing in the lot

Clint's Drake at the WoodenBoat Fest in Mystic, where the boat took top honors
in the Concours d'Elegance for the Man Powered Professional Class

Back at Clint's house in Portland, Christophe and Clint discuss Drake

Clint's building his own Goat Island Skiff in his shop

Clint likes to build 1/4 models of anything he's about to build,
this is his own design, the Deblois Street Dory

And here's a cnc cut 1/4 model of the Echo Bay Dory Skiff





I recently made good a brief but pleasant escape to Maine last week. I was able to visit a couple of boatbuilders, very different, and visit friends and some old haunts.
First up in the visits was a long overdue stop at the Landing School in Arundel ME. I've been a fan and for decades and have seen this school progress from humble beginnings in a cow barn to the successful enterprise it is today. I checked in at the office and was given free reign to explore the school, and the fact that the school was on break meant I could wander around and poke into anything that interested me without disrupting students or classes. There was lots to investigate, as you can see. The Landing School now offers a breadth of learning not commonly found, and includes instruction in design, wooden and composite boatbuilding, and marine systems. For an education in small boats, this looks like the place to be, with ample and sumptuous facilities. Naturally I was taken by the sweet little peapods they offer, but equally impressed by their other production boats, in particular a very up to date racing class boat, the LandingSchool 20 and their center console power craft, the Flyfisher. If youre looking for education as a boat builder, designer or systems expert, I doubt you'd go wrong here.

Clint Chase is a paradox. He's a fledgling professional builder who only put out his shingle last November, but who is an accomplished boatsmith and designer. He took the award for best human powered professional build with his beautiful Drake at the Concours D'Elegance at the WoodenBoat show art Mystic in 2009. I can attest to the impeccable finish and craftsmanship of this Norwegian Faering inspired design, and she sails as well. I had a little trouble tracking Clint down, and two visits to his house in Portland both resulted in my visiting the East End yacht basin in Portland, about ten minutes away. On the second visit I met briefly his charming other half, Ellie. I was about to leave the park/marina when I saw a lug rig headed into port. Intrigued, I hung out a little longer, and indeed it proved to be Clint and the owner/builder of the boat, a Michael Storer Goat Island Skiff. Christophe Matson turned out to be quite interesting as well, and Clint and Christophe were busy comparing note on the boats performance and setup with rather clumsy interjections by myself. We soon retired to Clint's house where the conversation continued, and an inspection of Drake followed. Christophe the set out for his home inNH and Clint gave me a brief tour of his shop. Clint hopes to expand into a larger, more commercial space soon. He has connections for CNC cutting and is a huge proponent ofkit boats. He's also the east coast agent for CNC kits for Francois Vivier!!
Clint, a graduate of the Landing School, is in my estimation a competent, passionate, committed young boatbuilder carving out his niche with elegance and attention.

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We've just uploaded the new Black Feathers book to our web store. This is the interesting story of the Robert Crawford and his Cal 20 becoming the smallest boat to complete the Singlehanded Transpacific Yacht Race.

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