A place to share YOUR boat building story

• Guntersville report by Dave Grason
  
  
• From the archives: July 22, 1991
  
  
• Seen on the Net
  
  
• Boating in the Fall by ArtDeco
  
  
• Photos sent in since the last WebLetter...
  
  
• From the Boatbuilder Forum
  
  
• My wife won't let me build a boat by Gayle Brantuk
  
  
• Christmas Gift Ideas
  
  
• Recent email
  
  

• The big news in this WebLetter is the evolving "Gathering" being organized by Dave Grason and friends. This will be taking place next October and sounds like it will be a great get-together and a chance to meet your fellow boatbuilders. See the Guntersville Report below.
• Frame Kits: As most of you know, we have discontinued Frame Kits. If you have been considering a Frame Kit, we urge you not to wait as our inventory is rapidly being depleted. We only have one left of each of the following: Kona Kai (same as Phantom), Hot Rod, Class J, Glen-L 13, Monsoon, Ski Bass, Tuffy and Wanderlust. Because these could be sold at any time, check the online store for availability. If the Frame Kit is no longer listed, it has been sold out.
• Did you like this WebLetter? The WebLetter is prepared between other responsibilities and the finished product depends a lot on input from Glen-L builders. If you have a story to tell, don't be bashful, our readers are interested in your boatbuilding project. Don't worry about grammar, spelling, etc. Three people proofread the WebLetter and we often make corrections. Email your story, attach photos with captions. Seeing other projects is a great help to builders. Thanks to those of you who contributed to this WebLetter.
• A reminder... Christmas is coming and friends and family would like to get you something you REALLY want. You might want to print out some pages from the Glen-L Online Store and leave them laying around, with appropriate circles and arrows... just a thought.

      
Editor      

Guntersville report

by Dave Grason

Well, if you've been following along on the Boatbuilder's Forum, you've no doubt seen the threads concerning our desire to have a gathering of boatbuilding hobbyists. I felt that it was a shame that no one had done this before. I've participated in other forums, such as the Tiny Tears forum, (www.mikenchell.com/forums/) and this has always been one of the things that forum members just love to do. And after talking to Gayle on the phone one day, she mentioned that the reason that no one had ever had a Glen-L gathering was that no one had really taken the reins, so to speak. She did say that there had been some small gatherings in years past but they were very localized in the SoCal area. This was among folks that simply knew each other in the days before the Internet. So, with that in mind, I realized that I had enjoyed enough gatherings on other forums where someone else had done all the leg work, so maybe it was my turn to "give back." Besides, I was dying to put some faces to the names, do some face to face "networking" and most of all, get a first hand view of other boat projects. And I was sure that other forum members would feel the same. The final motivation would be that it would force me to move my Zip project up the priority scale as I would now be making some commitments to completing it and if I didn't keep those commitments, I'd lose face. We can't have that now, can we? But I've certainly never done anything such as organizing a gathering like this so I knew I'd be flying blind and learning as I went. That's why I first put it up on the forum. I wanted to start getting a feel for what all would be involved. Besides, being the forum's moderator, it seemed like if this was ever to be done, it would fall to me at least in part anyway.

Continue

From the archives: July 22, 1991

Jack Leibrock of Grove City, Ohio launches his Lord Nelson...

Continue

Seen on the Net

Glen-L 14 Blog

Old Marine Engines a Resource for antique inboard engine enthusiasts

Squirt: Erik Bakker

Boating in the Fall The leaves are turning color, The air is crisp and clear The sun is still there shining Though winter time is near The boat is parked and covered It might just stay that way Till all the cold is gone And spring is here to stay But I often think about it The weather’s not so bad Six months without a boat ride Would make me dull and sad So, I think I will go boating First I’ll pull the boat outside I’ll strip off all its’ covers And get it ready for a ride I will clean up all the fish parts (They seem to accumulate) And shine it up real nice As if I had a boating date I’ll tow it to the lake Where boaters congregate I’ll show them I’m ok with this The season is not too late One last run to make me smile And give my life some meaning Though, because the air is nippy, I will forego the water-skiing -ArtDeco

No... I haven't decided whether to take my boat to the Gathering... really don't want to make those other guys feel bad.

From the Boatbuilder Forum:

Reply to "Best Design for Tournament Ski or Wake Boat"

My wife won't let me build a boat — What?

by Gayle Brantuk

So, your wife doesn't want you to build a boat? Of course she doesn't! Taking on yet "another project" will require your time and attention in addition to money. That translates to less time with the wife and family and less money to spend on "more important things".

Okay, I just had to write this article and address this statement as I have heard it over and over throughout the years. A guy just came into the office and bought a catalog and mentioned that his brother was going to build a boat, but his wife wouldn't let him. The catalog purchaser was single, so this wasn't an issue for him.

Now, before you start thinking that maybe you should dump the wife and do whatever the &#@% you want, just stop and think about it. We women are emotional creatures and darned if you guys can't get that through your thick skull. You can't approach us with the idea of another project-that's a complete turn off.

Here's a personal example; I'm not much of a football fan, in fact, not at all. But, I really like Joe Montana because one time I saw something on TV that was a personal profile about him and he seemed like a sincerely good guy. So, I would actually watch football games with my husband just so I could see Joe play. I enjoyed watching the games because I had an emotional involvement with them that I ordinarily would not have had. Do you get it?

If you have read our ads or any of my emails (please don't say you haven't or I may cry), you should have read this statement: "Building a boat is more than just a project, it's a lifetime of memories the whole family can enjoy". Barry thinks I overuse this phrase (by the way, my husband helped come up with it…maybe there's hope for him yet), but hopefully it paints a picture. The picture is a happy family with friends enjoying summers on the water with their boat that they will treasure forever. And, their kids will want to recreate those memories by building a boat of their own with their children, etc, etc.

So, back to the subject at hand. How do you get your wife to visualize the end product and become emotionally attached to it and not just focus on the process? Here are some ideas:

1. When you come across heart warming stories online, print them out for your wife to read BEFORE even talking to her about your desire to build a boat. The article about building a boat under fire has always stuck in my mind. If you visit the Boatbuilder Forum as I hope you do, you will come across many more of these here as well.
2. If you have kids, plan on involving them in the project and explain to your beloved about the learning experience they will receive. There are mathematics involved, measuring, responsibility, team work, etc. that are excellent opportunities for teaching.
3. Get her involved. If the boat has a cabin, it will need decorating-most of us love this kind of stuff. Need help with a color scheme? Guess who may have some ideas? Enlist her help with the building as well-lots of wives have been instrumental in building boats. See the article on "Compulsive Behavior".
4. Don't build it in the living room! Yes, you heard me right-many have actually built their boat in the house. Do I need to say more?
5. Make your dream her dream. Most of us really don't want to be dream killers, love should prevent that. You have to approach the subject gently and maybe over time to "romance" the idea.

Okay, now it's possible that many women wouldn't even wince at the idea of you building a boat and if that is the case with yours, great. I admit that I cannot recall ever quashing one of my husband's ideas or desires to do something, although in retrospect…oh well, that's another story. At any rate, some of you will have a tough sell on this one and my guess is that you know who you are. Listen, romance, paint a picture-we are all salesmen, so sell the dream!

In closing-good luck (*wink)! Here are a few more stories that may help in your sales pitch:

Ray Macke has some great stories about his adventures, but keep in mind that he cruises alone-your significant other may be offended and think that you just want to be alone, or it may excite her to have you out of her hair-use discretion. Of course, you could remind her that Ray's adventures will be "our" adventures...

Photos are worth a thousand words-maybe you could print out some of the great Customer Photos and stick 'em on the fridge.

Christmas Gift-Giving Ideas Beginning Boatbuilder Library $69.95 ($89.90 value) All the books and a DVD for the person interested in embarking on the journey of building their own conventional-built plywood boat, plus it's a great value! Beginning S&G Boatbuilder Library $59.99 ($78.85 value) Great discount package of books for those interested in building a boat using the Stitch & Glue Plywood method. Book of Boat Designs & BB w/plywood + $37.90 The Glen-L Book of Boat Designs is a great "Wish Book" and add to that the Boatbuilding with Plywood book and you have an excellent gift! Chris Craft Library $40.00 ($49.90 value) Great coffee table books with beautiful photos of the famous Chris-Craft mahogany runabouts that most of us drool over. Great gift for those looking to build the Glen-L Riviera, Monaco, Gentry, Monte Carlo, Audeen, Mist Miss or any of the smaller runabouts built with the classic mahogany finish. These books will serve to provide ideas on finishes and hardware to make sure the completed boat looks authentic.

Recent email:

John Bowen
Posted: 07 Nov 2006 04:55 am
Post subject: James Cook (?) For Sale Orlando, FL.

In my browsing around today in The Boat Trader, I came apond this,
http://www.boattraderonline.com/addetail.html?85898208

It states, Ken Hankinson design. Not sure what difference between Ken and Glen-L on this one? Looks to me like the James Cook?

I'm going to Lake Fairview Marina tomorrow and check this build out. It's only about 30 min., from where I live. If it's worth the time, I'll get my sisters digital cam and take some pictures of the inside/ outside (close-ups). More than what they show in the ad and post'em. I'll also see what info I can collect on its buildbuilder.
Photos and copy from BoatTraderOnline.com.

Subject: Salty, a Glen-L Jolly Roger
Date4: 31 October 2006

Last year, I purchased the study plans for the Jolly Roger. Subsequently, I also purchased the plans & patterns, as well as some of your books. As of yet, I have not started building due to other commitments, but will soon. I have looked on your site and found Jolly Rogers that have been built. One in particular always caught my eye. It was SALTY, built by a couple in California. This one gave me the motivation to initially get the plans. Apparently, no one heard about the boat after August of 1988.

This week I happened to pick up the latest issue (November/December, 2006) of Passagemaker magazine. I flipped through the pages as I normally do at first, when a photo caught my eye. It sure looked familiar. Lo & behold, it was SALTY! With an eight page spread, no less. It is now the MV Rhonda. The boat was finally launched on Christmas Eve, 1988 by Jim and Mary Thompson. I won’t go into more details, for the article explains what has happened since then to date. The article is entitled, "Second Time Around" and starts on page 138.

I just thought you might like to know what happened to one of the boats, that has inspired someone else to build one.

Sincerely,
Mike Deren
Dresden, Maine

Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006
Subject: Audeen short video clip

Don't know if you are interested in this, but here is a short Audeen Video clip. Boat has been at the 90% completion stage for the past five years. Not enough time to finish as I am to busy using it.

Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Subject: Re: Rolando, Build your Dream Boat #2

Hi Barry/Gayle,

Just to let you know, I recently posted a photo album on how I built the Zip at the following site. You can link the page if you think it can be of help to other boat builders. (This is a new site for Philippine home boat builders. BTW another forum member is in the process of finishing a Glen-L 10!)
http://www.pinoyboats.org/gallery/gallery2/v/projects/maligno101/Building+Pawprint/

Best regards to all,
Rolando Perez

From: Roger G. Byerley
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Subject: RE: Building "the Box"

Dear Gayle:
The girls did a beautiful job! What a story, the $25.00 and trophy they received was nothing compared to the million dollar smile on Dad's face. He has much to be proud of in the children. I am a Sea Scout Skipper, BSA, if you know what that means; then you will also understand the following: On Saturday, 23 October 2006 I spoke with a Girl Scout Executive, it seems that she was having problems keeping the girls much past the third grade. I was also a school teacher, so I was also aware of what third grade girls think of ....boy's. Well, you can see why I am a Sea Scout Skipper, because the Sea Scouts is for boys and girls of that age bracket, at least we can keep them for a few years longer. The inspiring story was not only one of overcoming odds. The stick to it... get the job done, perseverance, call it what you like! It came from some place, and that was Grandpa who I must assume footed the bill, supplied the tools and helped the children. Let's not forget the Grandpas who fill a need, and inspire the children. What this whole story proves...you don't have to be a man... you don't have to be experienced... you have to have the desire and a very good teacher. Congratulation to the young women, Grandpa, and the parents for giving us this story. Oh, and Gayle thank you for passing the story along.

Regards Roger

Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Subject: Re: Subscriber, Your Glen-L Newsletter is Ready

Gayle, I share your enthusiasm for the site!!!

Hey, you've done wonders with it... I appreciate the "Great Little Boat" report, since TNT is probably one of my "to dos" in the future.

Well done, mate!

Dan Crummett
Stillwater, OK

Subject: Sea test
Date: 25 October 2006

I have attached a photo of an almost completed Bull's-eye for your website. The kids were pretty excited to try her out. This was my first attempt at boat building. I started in early September and have it floating 1 1/2 months later. Now for a little paint...
Brian

Subject: Cracker Box
Date: 21 October 2006

This is a 4MB clip that requires QuickTime to see.

Barry, here's a small video clip of my Cracker Box in action. I hope you get it.

fran matera

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