Boatbuilding news, building tips, and builder feedbackGlen-L WebLetter 98

A place to share YOUR boat building story

Glen-L Marine Designs - 9152 Rosecrans Ave. - Bellflower, CA 90706
Vertical border In this issue

It's Time to Say Goodbye

by Gayle

After 39 years of working at Glen-L, Barry will finally retire and move with his wife, Anke, to Oregon. For years he has dreamed of living in Oregon and I'm so glad he'll be soon be able to make that dream a reality. Their daughter and one son are in the Oregon/Washington area, so they'll be close to family.

Barry started working at Glen-L February 7, 1969, and to the best of his recollection, spent a lot of time moving books and catalogs around in the warehouse. He also used to gather together items for the RV kits we sold. The RV business was really booming in the 70's until the gas crunch. We used to provide aluminum skin kits, window kits, door kits, showers, bathtubs, sinks, refrigerators, stoves, you name it. The majority of these items were shipped by truck freight, so wood crates were pre-built and stacked in the warehouse awaiting orders.

At some point, Barry became the purchasing person who made sure all our products were kept in stock. He also did blueprinting and helped in the shipping department. Plus, he got to boss me around when I was about 10 or 11 and would come in to help package up fastening kits, ship catalogs or collate instructions. He taught me how to do things in the quickest and most efficient way — he always had a system.

After Ken Hankinson left in the mid 80's, Barry picked up the slack in the technical assistance area. I remember when I started in the late 80's, Dad would answer the questions from people who were actually building our boats and Barry would handle those who had general questions prior to starting the build. Eventually, he became the answer-man for just about every question.

At some point, he designed and built his first boat, the Fife. The basic design for this boat was done on computer with a design program created by a local software developer. Barry also built the Whitehall, which has yet to see the water — but it looks pretty!

More recently, Barry's focus has been on our website and he's been responsible for making it what it is today. Back in the early 90's, a couple of guys set up a 5-page site for us in an online "mall" that they convinced us would be the thing of the future. Well, it wasn't, but it did give us the "bones" for what is now our website. Barry got books on HTML (hyper text markup language) and taught himself how to build a site from scratch. He has never used any program like Frontpage or Dream Weaver, it's just raw HTML — keeping in line with the DIY business that is Glen-L.

His primary tasks have been everything related to the website, creating the WebLetter each month, answering questions by phone and email and ordering blueprint and packaging supplies. Plus, since he's been here for so darn long, he seems to know something about everything. Speaking of that… there are some things about Barry that you probably don't know…

First, he really does know something about everything — not just boats, but lots of stuff. Some important, some totally meaningless. Plus, he is really an artist at heart. For a while he took art classes at a local college and created many paintings — some abstract and quite a few of people. Many of these paintings hang in his home. Barry is also a wine lover. So much so, that many years ago, he had a "wine cellar" built in his house as well as a basement. His art also extends to the outdoors where he has created an absolutely beautiful paradise-like backyard. Weddings, receptions, showers, all types of parties have been held in this backyard oasis.

He is also a wonderful cook. For years, Barry and Anke have had monthly "Sunday Dinners" at their home that would include a menu of delicious food and drink. For a whole year he went "Italian" and every Sunday Dinner prepared a feast fit for a king — tons of yummy Italian food.

Among Barry's other interests are Oregon wildflowers, toads, tree frogs, ponds, crows, bromeliads and chickens — however, "he can't tame wild women, but he can make tame women wild"… or so he says. This is a song that he has sung around the office for years and I recently discovered that it is a cowboy song by Billy Boyd.


Passing the
Barry passing the "torch" (mouse) to John

so, what does this mean for the future of Glen-L? Well, we've been planning and preparing for this for several years so I think we have our bases covered. Our primary technical support is provided through the Boatbuilder Forum and if you need to talk to someone, you can call and speak with Darla, John, me or even Glen L himself. As mentioned in my other article, John will be taking over the website, newsletter and eventually additional technical assistance.

On a personal level… that's the tough part for me. Barry is 18 years older than me, so we didn't really know each other growing up. He was a big part of my life and I clearly remember him giving me rides on his shoulders and launching me off them into the pool. I would laugh and giggle and climb up for more. He was in the army when I was little and then came back married, so our interaction was limited. The last 20 years of working with him has been an opportunity to make up for lost time. It's been fun getting to know him and razzing him like a little sister would a big brother. I'm going to miss that. In fact, I lose composure just thinking about it.

Working here at Glen-L has been for me a wonderful opportunity to work with my Dad and brother — that's one of the things I love so much about being a part of Glen-L. But, things change and we're ready for it. We all hope that the future ahead for Barry and Anke will be better than they imagine and wish them the very best…



(New) Editor's Remarks

In the interest of clarity, I'd like to acknowledge that the color scheme for this month's webletter might strike some as somewhat reminicent of Fall or Autumn, rather than the middle of winter. I hope that doesn't confuse anyone out there; this is my first outing as the Editor of this newsletter, and I sincerely hope you'll be patient with me as I "get my sea legs". Rather than burn up too much time "tweaking" the color design, I thought it best to concentrate on providing you all with (hopefully) content worthy of what you've become accustomed to under the phenomenal efforts of my predecessor, Barry Witt.

Having worked closely with Barry for the past couple of months and seeing all that he has accomplished is more than a little humbling for me. I have in the past developed my own web sites and published a few newsletters, but nothing I have done can hold a candle to the wealth of information and creativity that Barry has provided to Glen-L and to you newsletter readers. I promise you that I will do my best to live up to the level of excellence he has established for all of us.

I would really welcome all of your comments, critiques, and suggestions as to how I can provide for you all what you want in the Glen-L Webletter. Please don't hesitate to let me know if there is something you'd like to see that I haven't given you, or if there is anything I am including in the webletter that you'd rather I leave out.

And please know that YOUR pictures, stories and articles will be sincerely appreciated. Even if you write just a few lines about your latest day at the lake or how much your family is enjoying helping in the building or using of your latest boat, it will make for a better newsletter than I could possibly create by myself.

Getting back to this month's color scheme, you should understand that I am, after all, a California boy, born and bred. It's really not likely that I would have a clue about the changing colors of different seasons, since here we really have only one.

Don't feel too badly for me, though, since after work we'll be going home to end the day by sipping mai tais out by the pool in the warm sunshine.

     
Editor      

Video

This is a video from history.com. The first part is about Jamestown, the second about building the Godspeed: www.history.com Don't know if this will stay up, but the boat building part is really cool.




Available Frame Kits

As reported in previous WebLetters, we are no longer making Frame Kits for our boats. We have been getting email and phone calls asking whether "such and such" Frame Kit is available. Our answer is, "if it is available, it will be listed in our online catalog. If not listed, it's not available and no more will be made". In response to requests that we make a list of available Frame Kits, here it is. For most of these kits we have only one or two available so the list could be out of date with a single purchase. If you are interested in one of the kits below, check the online catalog to confirm that it is still available. If you want one of these kits, we suggest you not dawdle.

FRAME KIT LIST - 2/28/08

65-702 Bravado
65-703 Carioca
65-301 Chippewa 13
65-450 Class AB
65-451 Class CD
65-452 Class J
65-525 Dragonfly
65-380 Duckboat
65-515 Dyno Mite
66-108SD Eightball-SG WPK/dinghy
65-793 Escort
65-554 Fisherman
65-718T Gentry Transom Kit
65-114 Glen-L 10
65-117 Glen-L 13
65-383 Honker
65-705 Hot Rod
65-308 Huron
65-805 Key West
65-559 Kingfisher
65-804 Mai Tai
65-805 Monsoon
65-565 Overniter Frame
65-809 Raven
65-576 River Rat
65-709 Roustabout
65-408 Scooter
65-382 Scull Boat
66-356D Sea Kayak Two WPK dlx
66-356S Sea Kayak Two WPK std
66-355 Sea Kayak WPK Std
65-810 Shangri-La
65-710 Ski Bass
65-130 Sneak Box-Basic
65-967 Super Huck 24
65-712 Tiny Might
65-713 Tornado
65-362 Tubby Tug
65-575 Wanderlust
65-506 Wee Hunk
65-462 XP8




Wanted: Owner-built Boats

The WoodenBoat Show is seeking a fleet of owner-built boats for a land-based display at this summer's WoodenBoat Show (Mystic Seaport, Mystic, Connecticut, June 27-29).

If you've built a trailerable boat that you'd like to exhibit, gratis, for a day, or two, or three, contact Kate at .

The purpose is to showcase the possibilities available to the home-based builder.

Wouldn't it be great to see a number of beautiful Glen-L designed boats
built by our customers on display?!!!

Let us know if you plan on displaying your Glen-L boat at this show so we can provide you with supporting materials.

Please Note: Boats for sale are not elegible for display.


Where Does Most of the Money Go?

I read about your impending retirement. I have been retired for a few years now. In some ways, the adjustment to retirement was difficult but in other cases it was easier than I expected. I wish you well in this "adventure". I have enclosed a poem for the next newsletter. I have been doing this for two years now and have enjoyed it thoroughly. I am surprised that I could find that many boat building related ideas to write about. I know that some poems were better than others but that's the way amateur writers produce IMHO. I may well have a few more such poems in me.

Novice builders of wooden boats
They question and want to know
Of all the many costs involved
Where does most of the money go?

Is wood the most expensive part
Or do glass and epoxies top the heap
What price for all the tools you need
Plus paint and varnish are not cheap

The cost for many parts, I believe
Are like a bucket to an ocean
For the one highest cost to build a boat
It all comes down to locomotion

For power boats, the engine’s the thing
That makes the cost sky-rocket
Be it diesel, gas, steam, or electricity
Power increases your “out-of-pocket”

Of course there some choices to make
You can always go a cheaper route
But engine costs may surprise you
And leave you without a horn to toot

So, my friend, you can build a boat
And not have to excuse it
The costs to build are very reasonable
… As long as you do not use it

-ArtDeco



Photos sent in since the last WebLetter...



Glen-L "Bucks" Contest

Dear Ulla,
As promised in my last email, here's the information about how you can win $250 in Glen-L "Bucks" that can be spent on any of our products. Now, before you click away and start reading, I need to ask for your help... Here at Glen-L, doing contests and giving away products is something we haven't had much success with in the past, or so I've been told. I'm hearing that this may not work, no one will participate, yadda yadda. Soooo, I REALLY need your participation or I'm going to look like an idiot. Plus, I might cry (I know, a cheap shot to all you men out there)… so, if you would like to see more opportunities like this in the future and keep me tearless, we need your participation! Okay, that said, check out your latest opportunity to WIN $250 in Glen-L "Bucks"--this is real cash, dough, moola to spend on Glen-L products. I anxiously await your response...

Gayle Brantuk
Glen-L Client Services


Dear Gayle
Well dry your!! tears I know how you feel. I am female and 67 so I am rather mature. I did sign up to receive the newsletter but not the competition because I thought it was only for US folks. I am writing on behalf of my better half. He don’t like computers and I really don’t try to encourage him either. He can use my toothbrush as much as he like but my PC is MINE. Cheers for now Ulla
Hi Gayle,
As temping as your invitation is I find myself in a position that leads me to believe that I should error on the side of caution or more aptly said, "play it safe". I don't want to disappoint you and cause you to be shuned by your family and any other consequences but I am afraid that I must put my safety first. My health might well be compromised if I won. You see, if I won then I would have to pick and order a set of plans. Being a person of good strong male stock, I would have to start building as soon as they arrived. That would likely prove to be fatal. My wife is expecting me to keep my word to finish our new home before starting another project. Can you blame her? Actually, it isn't a question of blame but rather of health - Mine. So, thank you for your offer but no thanks.
All the best, Tom


Hi Gayle, Well, it might just be my old, weary eyes that may have missed it (turned 33 yesterday), but I cannot see anything on neither international submissioner nor multiple submissions. I live in Denmark (little country north of Germany, west of Sweden, south of Norway and east of England - home of the Little Mermaid, and - at least as described by ABC recently - the most happy country in the world) and would, really _really_ like to participate, but I know that in other contests, international submissions are not allowed due to local restrictions because of prize taxes, etc. How is your stand point on this matter? Also, I can be _very_ creative (*cough*), so I already have a few designs in mind. Am I welcome to submit more than one design?
Best regards,
Casper Helenius, Denmark


Gayle,
What a great idea! At the very least I should be able to come up with a slogan or sumpthin... Buckshot reminds me of our neighbors old dog,- "Bear". They kind of ignored Bear and we kept a bucket of doggy treats by our front door. Bear would bang a paw on our door several times a day,-"per-Pet-ual" trick-or-treat! She was more our dog than theirs! Gayle, your newsletters could be worth a subscription fee. A lot of companies have to charge for sending out a catalogue.
Good luck to you! Jay


Working on a tee shirt design... (easier to build a boat)... Allen Reeps


Glen-L "Bucks" - Answers to Your Questions

Once again, you guys amaze me! We have received LOTS of submissions for our Tee Shirt contest, so thank you so much for that.

We've also received some questions about the contest, so here are some answers...

Many of you who are outside the United States have asked if you can submit a design and the answer is YES! Everyone regardless of where they are located can submit a Tee Shirt design.

Another question is "can I submit more than one" and the answer is yes. Plus, it doesn't matter if it is 1, 2, 3 or 4 color-we are open to anything. Most are submitting designs as a Word, Publisher or Power Point document or jpg, .bmp or .gif. These are all fine. Keep in mind that if you are just submitting an idea that is not displayed in a visual format, you will be competing with others who are (*hint*).

After the deadline, the Glen-L staff will choose the top designs which will then be posted for you to vote on to select the prize winning entry.
Here are some elements that are pretty important to us when considering a design:

1. Best depicts that we provide plans & kits, but YOU build the boat
2. Includes our website address: Glen-L.com
3. Shows creativity and originality

Also, all designs submitted become the property of Glen-L Marine Designs and once they are in our possession, we have full rights to use them in any way (our lawyer made us say that).

Remember that the contest ends on leap day, February 29, 2008 so you better hurry if you are planning on submitting a design.

Looking forward to more creativity…

Gayle

P.S. Don't forget, the winner of the Tee Shirt contest will win $250 in Glen-L "Bucks" to spend on our products. Here is the link to the details.



Harold the boatbuilder
"Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals..."


Shop Talk: Some Common Falacies About Wood

Fallacy 1 - "All wood in the course of time 'naturally' decays as a result of age."

This fatalistic concept ignores the true cause of decay and may lead the user to neglect the proper precautions against it . Time or age itself has nothing to do with the decay of wood. For example:

  1. The White House when remodeled in 1949 was found to contain sound timbers that had been in place since 1816.
  2. The Fairbanks house, a wood structure in Dedham, Mass., is standing structurally intact after three centuries.
  3. Timbers several hundred years old have been recovered from the ruins of Indian pueblos in Arizona and New Mexico .
  4. A part of a Roman emperor's houseboat that sank long ago in Lake Nemi was sound enough nearly 2,000 years later to be identified by the Forest Products Laboaratory as spruce.
  5. A log 7 feet in diameter was found some years ago in a tunnel being dug 150 feet below the bed of the Yakima River in Washington . A piece of it was sent to the Forest Products Laboratory and the wood was identified as an extinct species of sequoia, of an age estimated by geologists at 12 million years.
Fallacy 2 - "Using wood in construction is more dangerous than using steel in the event of a fire."

Wood when exposed to fire temperatures will burn, whereas steel does not under similar exposure conditions. But wood, when used in heavy timber construction has a tremendous advantage over unprotected steel. Where thick beams constitute the supporting members of a structure, the outside surfaces on exposure to severe fire conditions will become charred; meanwhile a substantial core of wood (because of its low heat conductivity) remains at low temperature, uncharred and intact, and retains most of its strenght for some time.

Under the same fire exposure steel will quickly become heated because of its good heat conduction. Much of its rigidity and load-bearing capacity is lost and thus permit collapse of a structure sooner than timbers of the same initial strength.

Fallacy 3 - "Wood of a given species grown in one state or region is superior to that grown in another state or region."

Examples are "Michigan maple" or Vermont maple," Northern vs. Southern ash, and so forth. Tests of more than 600,000 specimens at the Forest Products Laboratory prove that a tree's location inside or outside certain imaginary geographical lines has nothing to do with the strength of its wood. Properties of the wood in any one state or region will show a wider variation than any general geographic difference. The test of wood quality lies within the piece or the shipment itself, and not its origin

Fallacy 4 - "An expert can tell the age of a piece of wood by looking at it."

Except for the "aging" of wood in color, which may be purely artificial, the expert can determine the age of wood only by counting the rings in the stump when the tree is cut or by highly technical carbon dating. Looking at a stray piece of wood shows only a certain number of rings or growth layers indicating how many years the piece took to grow; the growth may have occurred since 1900 or in the Middle Ages so far as anyone can tell from a single piece.

Fallacy 5 - That trees exposed to storms and rough weather all their lives form stronger and better wood than sheltered trees .

This idea is mere poetic license, as it never affects the selection of wood in manufacture and actual use. Trees exposed to extra severe conditions are apt to be deformed, gnarly, twisted, stunted, and fit mostly for firewood. Trees grown under normal forest conditions make the best lumber because they are straight and regular in grain. Piece for piece, their wood is as strong if not stronger than that grown under the wildest conditions of exposure.

Fallacy 6 - "Lumber on the market today is not what is used to be in the 'good old days'."

Wood purchased today is as good as any that ever felt the bite of Paul Bunyan's axe. Lumber is now machined better, graded better, and seasoned better than in past times. In addition, a wider selection of species and items is available. It is true that strong competition between dealers and between materials in some localities has resulted in bringing on the market lumber that is not what it should be with respect to size, grade, and seasoning. This, however, does not mean that good lumber is not available at economical prices. It does mean that discrimination is necessary in buying lumber as well as in buying other materials - undoubtedly more necessary today than it was in the past.

Fallacy 7 - "Wood exposed to very low temperatures is 'brittle as glass' and has little strength."

Some people have had the idea that when wood is frozen or exposed to very low temperatures, as in arctic regions, it is seriously damaged and loses most of its strength. There have been reports that a piece of wood dropped on the frozen ground is likely to shatter into small pieces. Careful investigation has failed to produce any real evidence of such occurrences. Occasionally, a piece of wood of the species commonly used in construction may have natural characteristics (such as knots or slope of grain) that are very severe and damaging to its strength, or the piece may have such low density that it could readily break when dropped or mishandled, even at normal temperatures.
The fact is that tests on wood at temperatures as low as 30 degrees below zero (-30 F) show that the strength properties of dry wood, including shock resistance, increase as the temperature is reduced . In the case of wood that is saturated with water, the expansion of the water upon freezing may sometimes cause the wood to crack open, but evidence indicates that wet wood also increases in strength when the temperature Is reduced. It is possible that fastenings, such as nails and screws, may tend to loosen somewhat in wood that is repeatedly frozen and thawed, much as they do in wood that is repeatedly wetted, and dried . If this does occur, however, it would be a slow process.

Truth - Wood is an excellent material out of which to build a boat of just about any size.

There are many materials that can be used to build a boat (steel, aluminum, plastic, fiberglass, fabric, rubber, even ferrocement!) but from the standpoint of the person who wants to build his/her own boat, the practical choices narrow down quickly, especially where limited pocketbooks and ease of construction are important. One of the most compelling reasons for building your own boat out of wood is simply that it is a familiar material, "warm," easy to handle and work, and doesn't require any really "exotic" tools or equipment.

At Glen-L one of our goals is to help you use wood to its best advantage so that you can turn out the "boat-of-your-dreams" with the least amount of work, mistakes, and money, but still with the pride of accomplishment that everyone hopes to have in the completed craft.

Fallacies excerpted from "Some Common Fallacies About Wood" by Forest Products Laboratory - Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture;

Truth excerpted from "Boatbuilding with Plywood" by Glen L. Witt, Naval Architect

Recent email:

Subject: FW: scp9371 sent you a video!
Date: 15 February 2008

Built this Tunnel Mite a few years ago. Thought you would enjoy seeing it in action.

Steve

scp9371 wants to share a video with you

     YouTube Broadcast Yourself™




watch video



Video Description

A fun home made plywood tunnel hull race boat. Glen-L design w/ 25hp Tohatsu. Top speed is 43 mph using GPS.

Thanks,
scp9371


Subject: RE: PROBLEM
Date 4 Februry 2008

Thank You for getting back with me, but someone from Glen-L had already resolved the problem for me. I just finished a service call for a customer that did not require much and I did not charge them anything for the call, needless to say they where very happy. When I got back to the office it was nice to see your email and to be on the receiving end of excellent customer service. So once again Thank You, keep up the great work and have a nice day.
Jeffrey

Subject: RE: Glen-L Family Information
Date: 4 February 2008

Dear Lady,

Thanks for your regular news about Glen-L. In 1978, I bought Motor Boat magazine and saw your advertisement. After that I put your catalogue amount into an envelope and sent it to your Company address. After receiving your Catalogue, I decided which model plan I would buy. Firstly I decided to buy your Boat Building books about plywood and fiberglass. I followed the same procedure above. I received Hard Cover Boatbuilding with Plywood and How to Cover by Fiberglass.

At that time in Turkey, nobody was producing Plywood for Marine. Hence I ordered 13' Sailboat plan and built it according to your plans, but covered frame by Polyurethane plates and applied Fiberglass on outside and inside. I was so amateur at that time of course I failed. But took the experience for the new one.

Due to economic problems of Turkey, I could not send plans amount from Turkey directly and one of my friends from Germany ordered Play N Jane Tug plans and sent it to me. After a busy years on Life, I retired and took for your Play N jane plans from my Files and I intend to build it.

Before I start I want to buy Glen How to Fiberglass a Boat DVD USD 32.95. Can you please send its price, postage included?

Best Regards
Nezih Tuncoglu
ISTANBUL

Subject: Re: Glen-L Newsletter
Date: 2-2-2008

Hi staff of GLEN-L,
I always enjoy getting the news letter. I was away in Florida for a month and I have been using the Malahini that I made for my son. It was my 1st boat and took me almost a year. That one I did from scratch from your plans (60 hp merc). My son shipped it from NY to Fla. I have been having such a great time going up and back on the Intracoastal. Very calm water. The biggest Yachts scream to me "Where did you get that boat... I want that boat". Whoever passes us gives us the thumbs up and remarks about the Malahini.

The 2nd boat "Popshands", I got the kit from you and having the frame ready to mount on the form was so good. Everything fit so well... what a pleasure. This boat was the 19' Two Plus but I went for the extra length to 20' +. I didn't put the cabin on it because it was too hard for me. As it was, I needed my oldest son to work on this project with me. The boat came out great, but the best part was working with my son... we really bonded. I will never forget working with him on this boat, he keeps it out in Montauk (powered by 115 merc hp).

The 3rd (the Squirt 10') I made for my grandson. What a joy to watch him and his father. It has a 15 hp merc. All the boats have elect start and steering wheels.

Thanks for all the technical help when I needed it. Building these boats have been a highlight in my life. If anyone is a little handy and have some xtra $ they should try to build a Glen-L boat. There is a feeling of satisfaction seeing something you made going down the water ways, that cannot be explained.

I have purchased the plans for the (Riveria/Monaco) but haven't started it yet. Getting too much flack from my wife... guess that is a common problem 8-). Thanks again, you guys are great. Allen Reeps

Photos


Subject: For Barry
Date: 30 January 2008

Hi Barry-
I have talked to several of the guys and they indicate they do not have a good resource for finding used parts, engines, etc. In my area, (Sacramento, CA) we have a company that is the best I have seen. They have a tremendous inventory and all of their stuff is guaranteed. They test the engines if sold as is and they also have totally rebuilt engines. They are extremely helpful and their reputation is outstanding for honesty and reliability. I think it would be helpful for the guys if they had this info.

Rancho Marine Recycling
3761 Recycle Rd Ste C
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
Phone: (916) 638-8908

I have included a link to their website in the event you wish to include it in the newsletter.
www.boatrecycling.com.

Don Sanderson



A Pirate's Tale

While sailing around the world in his recently completed Glen-L designed "Francis Drake," the proud owner/builder of the beautiful sailing vessel stopped in at a seaside bar for a little refreshment and to bask in the admiration he would always receive upon telling the envious onlookers that "I built her myself."

At this particular establishment he meets a salty old pirate captain, and they take turns recounting their adventures at sea. Noting the pirate's peg-leg, hook for a hand and eye patch, the boatbuilder buys him a pint and says “... well, you must have had quite a life at sea! So, how did you end up with the peg-leg?"

The pirate replies, "We was hunt’n whale off the coast and got caught in a monster storm off the cape. A giant wave swept me overboard. Just as they were pullin' me out a school of sharks appeared and a monster one of 'em bit me leg clean off. The crew gave me a peg for me troubles."

"MY gosh!" said the owner of the Francis Drake. "What about the hook?"

"Ahhhh...", mused the pirate, "One day we were boardin' a trader ship, pistols blastin' and swords swingin' this way and that, fighting cutlass to cutlass. In the fracas one of ‘em got lucky and me hand got chopped off. So I got a hook for me troubles."

"Darnation!" remarked the boatbuilder. "And how did you come by the eye patch?"

"A seagull pooped in me eye," answered the pirate.

"That’s it?? A seagull pooped in it? You lost your eye to a seagull dropping?" the boatbuilder asked incredulously, a little disappointed in not having a big sea tale.

"Well..." said the pirate; "it was me first day with the hook."

Build more boats
GLEN-L boats, of course


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