Shavings Volume 11 Number 4 (July-August 1989)

V O L U M E XI, N U M B E R 4

P u b l i s h e d for members of the C e n t e r for Wooden B o a t s

J u l y - A u g u s t 1989

BOATFEST '89-A SALUTE TO OUR VOLUNTEERS O u r T h i r t e e n t h A n n u a l Wooden Boat F e s t i v a l is h i s t o r y , a n d a file is started for the '90 affair. We a l w a y s end the f i r s t day of the show w i t h a potluck aboard the Wawona. We begin the d i n ner w i t h a t h a n k s to the volunteers, a n d we honor t h e m by s e r v i n g t h e m first. So f i r s t order for this show w r a p up is the volunteers: V e r n Velez: float r e p a i r a n d b u i l d i n g , booth a n d exhibit set-up; J o h n G r u e n e w a l d , tireless toy boat supervisor, a n d h i s p a t i e n t , cheerful a s s i s t a n t s ; H e l e n L a n g a n d Nona S u l l i v a n for their r e c y c l i n g efforts a n d eagle-eyed care of the restrooms a n d t r a s h cans; H o r a c e I n g r a m a n d h i s helpers who h e l d forth a t the C W B site; T r a c y P a r k e r (a.k.a. " H e l l o , M r . E s k i m o , w a n t to b u y a r e f r i g e r a t o r ? " P a r k e r ) who helped reap our highest sales ever at the t - s h i r t concession; Corrine Anderson and Marty L o k e n for o u r b e a u t i f u l " W o o d o n W a t e r " poster; N e i l a n d Darlene A l l e n for ice cream, electricity, t r a s h d e t a i l , food concession e n g i n e e r i n g , etc., etc., etc.; C a t h e r i n e Wilson for h e r fine work on the auction catalogue; D e n n i s B r o d e r s o n for h i s expertise getting the auction together at the l a s t moment; D w i g h t J a c o b s o n a n d h i s t e a m c a p t a i n s who solicited auction i t e m s ; a n d the m u l t i p l e chores done at a moment's notice by D a v i d E r s k i n e , Russ K a r n s , M i k e F l i n k f e l t , B o b T a p p , C h r i s P i t t m a n , P a u l Stretch, Samantha Brown, and especially J i m F r i s k e n — h e ' s the geologist who comes to the F e s t i v a l from Colorado every year, a l w a y s two days e a r l y to set

up, a l w a y s a few days after to clean u p .

T a l k about devotion to a cause!

We salute the volunteers. W i t h o u t them this f e s t i v a l , this place called the C e n t e r for Wooden Boats, w o u l d not happen. The festival is a microcosm of C W B — w h e r e people have fun a n d l e a r n m a r i t i m e heritage. A n d there's another element. After 13 years of fest i v a l s a n d six years on our site, a sense of a wooden boat c o m m u n i t y has developed. People now k n o w the c h a r m , color a n d uniqueness of Pioneer S q u a r e , the P u b l i c M a r k e t , a n d the wooden boats a t South L a k e U n i o n .

E v e r y volunteer in these pioneer years o f C W B h a s played a role i n a d d i n g t h i s new ingredient to our c o m m u n i t y soup of c u l t u r a l enrichment.

The h i g h l i g h t s of the show? It's l i k e t r y i n g to describe the h i g h l i g h t s of a kaleidoscope. Different eyes, different p e r s p e c t i v e s . T h e s e bloodshot eyes noticed the w i n n e r of the Q u i c k a n d D a r i n g B o a t b u i l d i n g Contest, " B a t - a m a r a n . " T w o b a t - l i k e creatures, a . k . a .

J o h n M a r p l e s a n d G a r y D a v i e s , were first i n construction, first i n the h u m a n a n d sail-powered r a c i n g a n d first i n s h o w m a n s h i p . T h e i r cardboard tube, bi-pod m a s t vessel was b u i l t in one hour 44 minutes. James Counihan and T r a c y K i r k p a t r i c k were second w i t h " R i f f Raft," a s a m p a n . A n d the r o u n d bottom, decked, schooner-rigged "Three Sheets to the W i n d , " by Bob W o r t h i n g t o n a n d D i c k P h i l i p p s , was t h i r d . T h i s boat took the honors for aesthetics a n d lightest tool weight; B o b and Dick built it all with a Swiss A r m y knife a n d a m a t k n i f e !

S t e v e P h i l i p p t a l k e d about the m a r i t i m e s k i l l s of our first Puget S o u n d residents, the S a l i s h people. T h i s from an 81-year-old r e t i r e d boatbuilder, who has l i v e d h i s life among the T u l a l i p a n d s t i l l paddles the dugout he a n d h i s father b u i l t i n 1920.

Those w a n t i n g more experience i n the native way could t r y out a new addition to our e x h i b i t fleet, a 32-foot cedar d u g o u t M a k a h canoe r e p l i c a .

V i c t o r E s k a n a z i s k i p p e r e d t h i s canoe on so m a n y trips w i t h ten paddlers t h a t 1

h i s knees were bloodied. M a y b e that's w h y he t u r n e d over the s t e r n paddle once to Steve P h i l i p p .

T h e n there was the boat show w i t h i n the boat show—the radio-controlled boats. In the quiet inshore b a s i n below the P a v i l i o n , I saw m i n i a t u r e s t e a m v e s s e l s , t u g w i t h l o g boom, B r i t i s h t r a w l e r , fast outboard cruiser, posh motor yacht a n d more. T h e crowds were so enchanted they didn't budge w h e n the weight submerged the float they were on. W h a t are wet feet for a sight l i k e that?

T o y b o a t b u i l d i n g : the offcuts from our neighborhood boatbuilders and s a i l m a k e r s " p r o b a b l y produced more i m a g i n a t i v e designs t h a n the professionals ever d r e a m e d u p .

F o r a u r a l n o s t a l g i a . . . the m a k e a n d break gas engine a n d steam engine t h a t F r a n k C a r r brought, both poweri n g lathes? F o r a u r a l mellowness, w e t h a n k t h e P a v i l i o n m u s i c i a n s , organized b y M i k e P h i m i s t e r .

R i c h Wollam, p l a n k i n g a n d f r a m i n g a M a i n e guide canoe; B i l l P a i n e c a n v a s i n g a canoe; R e b e c c a W i t t m a n a s t r i p p i n g a n d r e f i n i s h i n g demonstration (of a wooden boat, t h a t is).

T h e r e were happy sounds, serene s m i l e s . T h e smells too: wood smoke from the steam boiler, barbecued s a l m o n , spicy P o r t O r f o r d cedar canoe frames. It was another bouillabaisse of boats, s u n s h i n e , ice c r e a m , tools, bratwurst, c h i l d r e n , dogs, l a u g h t e r . A wooden boat festival, a L a k e U n i o n fest i v a l , a Seattle t r a d i t i o n .

—Story by Dick Wagner —Photos by Bruce Cherry

THE TALE OF TINY BAROOSE: A WOODEN BOAT SAGA OF EASTERN WASHINGTON N o t the o r i g i n a l T i n y Baroose, the sabre-tooth l i o n , seven inches long a n d very b r a v e , a constant companion w h e n our boys were four a n d five. I m e a n " J a y Spearman's B r o k e n dory" (as the b i l l of sale reads), a 15-1/2-footer w h i c h , w i t h the h e l p of the C e n t e r for Wooden Boats, we rescued from her damaged state. In t u r n , she rescued us from our l a n d - l o c k e d yearnings a n d now s k i m s the waters of eastern W a s h i n g t o n a n d n o r t h e r n Idaho, teaching two generations i m p o r t a n t lessons l i k e " H o w N o t t o R u n into T h i n g s " a n d " W h a t B o a t s A r e M a d e Of." We don't k n o w the whole story—how it ends, for instance, who b u i l t the dory, or how she got b r o k e n .

B u t here is the story as we k n o w it so f a r ; a tale of passion a n d derring-do.

You'll pick out the hero by the end, no problem.

The time: J u l y 1983. E n t e r , stage east, the Disconsolate L u t h i e r . H e has j u s t t r i e d to jibe across three lanes of traffic, f a i l e d a n d been swept a w a y by the r o a r i n g torrent of rubber a n d steel.

H i s next attempt, to wear s h i p , i n v o l v e s an awkward circumnavigation of L a k e U n i o n , because he is a C o u n t r y M o u s e ; h i s home waters are the dusty roads of the Palouse, a n d he is h a v i n g several k i n d s of trouble p i l o t i n g h i s 1959 F i a t up wild uncharted Westlake Avenue in search of the p a r k i n g lot of the C e n t e r for Wooden B o a t s . B u t , f i n a l l y , t a k i n g advantage of a h e a v e n - s e n t l u l l , he r o u n d s u p i n t o traffic a n d ghosts i n .

H a r b o u r a t l a s t ! N o w , w h i l e h e i s out i n a W h i t e b e a r skiff, l e t t i n g the buzz a n d jangle of the freeway ease on out w i t h the blessed motion of a gentler mode of t r a v e l , a l i t t l e b a c k g r o u n d .. .

W h a t the heck is a l u t h i e r , w h y is he so down in the m o u t h , a n d what's he doing here with this bundle of t a m a r a c k poles a n d canvas on top of h i s car?

W e l l , a l u t h i e r b u i l d s lutes, g u i t a r s , or, i n t h i s case, m o u n t a i n dulcimers, banjos, a n d m a n d o l i n s . T h a t mess on h i s car is a craft booth, a n d he is ten years i n t o a grand experiment, fueled by a g r o w i n g feeling that we are throwi n g out an a w f u l lot of baby w i t h the b a t h w a t e r . C o u l d n ' t one forego t h e rush toward urban prosperity and r e t u r n to a slower life, h e a t i n g a n d cooking w i t h wood we cut ourselves, a n d b u i l d i n g acoustic i n s t r u m e n t s from logs of local wood w i t h tools a n d techniques t h a t date back several h u n d r e d years? W e l l , yes. Please don't c a l l it a simple life, b u t for years the couple l i v e d h a p p i l y in the l i t t l e cottage, as a s u c c e s s i o n o f i n s t r u m e n t s came t o wooden life a n d began to s i n g . F o r f a m i l y , for friends, for pennies. W h y , oh why, d i d the b i r t h of our d a r l i n g boys coincide w i t h the onset of acute, term i n a l wooden boat fever?

L o o k i n g back, I realize it was in the blood. At the age of seven, s t a r i n g out the schoolbus windows at the roadside ditches, I used to dream of setting forth i n h a l f a t h i r t y - g a l l o n d r u m , r i d i n g the chocolate torrent of molten wheatfield to the sea. Good t h i n g I h a d n ' t the means to cut a b a r r e l in h a l f lengthwise, thereby m a k i n g a sudden s t a r t l i n g d i s c o v e r y about l i n e s a n d s t a b i l i t y . A n d so I grew up, w a s t i n g my life i n frivolous p u r s u i t s .

T h e n , along w i t h m y p a r t n e r , S a l l y , a r e a l boat entered my l i f e — a K l e p p e r A r e i u s II, complete w i t h s a i l i n g r i g . A dowry, if y o u w i l l , she was a veteran of a m i l d P e n n s y l v a n i a t r a i n wreck, a n d while not m u c h h u r t , she was sold as salvage a n d given to my dearie on the occasion of h e r l e a v i n g home. W h a t a shy s l i m slipper of a sailboat, l i g h t a n d strong a n d about two a n d a h a l f times as tender as a mother's k i s s . Y o u s h o u l d have seen me l e a r n i n g to s a i l in the South Palouse R i v e r . (We c a l l it a r i v e r

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'cause it's w h a t we've got, though our cat used to s w i m i t , God's T r u t h . ) D i d I say t h i s was a d r y p a r t of the country?

A l m o s t twice as wide in spots as the K l e p p e r is long, it made for short tacks, b u t I l e a r n e d to hold the mainsheet in my teeth a n d give t h a t judicious dab w i t h the paddle to h e l p her through stays. H e l d on too l o n g a time or two a n d h a d to w a l k ashore; we do get w i n d here. M u s t have given rise to some i n t e r e s t i n g t r a f f i c o n t h e C B a s the startled truck drivers cried, "A sail, a sail!"

A b o u t the time we were discovering that the K l e p p e r was j u s t too s m a l l for the whole f a m i l y w i t h diaper bag, we r e a d in some m a g a z i n e about a houseboat on L a k e U n i o n where, for a pittance, y o u could row in a r e a l wooden boat, a n d we first m e t D i c k W a g n e r and the W h i t e b e a r S k i f f . H e p a t i e n t l y described the process a n d t u r n e d us loose, a n d , in the course of some very i n t e r e s t i n g evolutions out on the l a k e , we were hooked. We h a d to have a p u l l i n g b o a t . A n d t h a t w a s w h e n fate stepped in a n d a neighbor came forth w i t h the l o a n of the wonderful w o r k h o r s e s k i f f , c h r i s t e n e d b y our novice t a l k e r s the "Essyo."

F o u r t e e n feet of i n c r e d i b l y seaworthy, solid R e d C e d a r , found derelict under a dock a n d entrusted to our care a n d r e p a i r , we k n o w very l i t t l e about h e r . J u s t t h a t she was b u i l t by one S. J o h a n s e n of K e t c h i k a n a n d rowed a great deal by someone in c a u l k e d boots.

N o , we are not m a r i t i m e detectives; both facts were stamped i n d e l i b l y into h e r very fabric. P l a n k e d in a unique battened-seam construction (battens inside a n d none in w a y of the frames), two h a l f - i n c h p l a n k s each side a n d four on the bottom, she h a d seen a lot of better days. B u t after we stuffed cotton into the l a r g e r patches of daylight and slathered h e r w i t h boo-boo p a i n t from the grange supply, she didn't look h a l f bad. A f t e r she soaked for a week she got very heavy a n d didn't leak at a l l . Two grown m e n dancing on h e r gunwale empty couldn't m a k e h e r ship a drop.

She s a i l e d w i t h mopsticks a n d bedsheets, she sailed u n d e r the Klepper r i g , a n d she m o v e d l i k e a s l i g h t l y ponderous d r e a m w i t h a p a i r of C u l l e r oars made from old pine flooring; carryi n g S a l l y a n d m e a n d the two ragamuffins t h a t h a d been our babies, lots of t h e i r friends, a n d a n y n u m b e r of dogs.

She w o u l d have c a r r i e d a w e l l - m a n nered cow. B u t one sad day, back to A l a s k a she w e n t , a n d boatless a n d bound were m a n , w o m a n , a n d c h i l d r e n .

A n d up a s t u m p . H o o k e d on wooden boats, w o r k i n g at f u l l stretch j u s t to keep the chickens fed a n d boys clothed a n d car sort of r u n n i n g , b u i l d i n g the boat we w a n t e d was not an option.

S u r e l y somewhere a n o t h e r s u r v i v o r a w a i t e d our l o v i n g h a m m e r a n d s a w .

We t r i e d a l l the papers. A boat made of what? W i t h o u t a motor? Y o u m u s t be k i d d i n g ! Drove a l l a r o u n d every l a k e i n our p a r t of eastern W a s h i n g t o n , scann i n g the beach for the D e r e l i c t of our D r e a m s . J u s t t h i r t y years too late. I n the m e a n t i m e I was i n v i t e d to a craft show in T a c o m a — m a y b e I could sell something there, a n d while on the coast I w o u l d check a lot of b u l l e t i n boards a n d ask a r o u n d . S u r e l y some old boat needed a friend?

B u t i t wasn't w o r k i n g . The m u l t i tudes a t the craft f a i r s a i d m a n y w a r m encouraging things a n d k e p t t h e i r w a l lets w a r m a n d safe. T h e r e were boats a l l r i g h t ; b e a u t i f u l boats. B u t even needing r e p a i r they cost more t h a n I h a d earned in the l a s t three years. I h a d been r e a d i n g m y S H A V I N G S r i g h t along; I k n e w t h i s was a center for a v i b r a n t a n d g r o w i n g interest i n t r a d i t i o n a l watercraft. W h e r e were the old w r e c k s , the r o u g h - l o o k i n g v e t e r a n s , w a i t i n g to begin a new life t e a c h i n g another generation of y o u n g m a r i n e r s the s k i l l s a n d attitudes upon w h i c h so m u c h depends?

T h a n k y o u for y o u r patience. The Disconsolate L u t h i e r i s n e a r i n g the dock, a n d h i s fortunes are about to change. H e i s cheering u p . F o r one t h i n g , perfect strangers keep voicing a d m i r a t i o n for the boat he's i n . T h e mere sight of a craft l i k e t h i s seems to give people a l i f t , a n d it's infectious. F o r another, as he steps out onto the float, it seems as though the C e n t e r h a s come such a l o n g w a y in a short time, a n d even though he has so far been three h u n d r e d m i l e s a w a y for a l l the w o r k d a y s , j u s t belonging to the center m a k e s h i m feel l i k e p a r t o f s o m e t h i n g w o n d e r f u l . B e s i d e s , the gent who h a n d e d h i m the oars p r o m i s e d to check on some dory, donated to the C e n t e r a n d maybe for sale.

"There's a lot of 'glass' you'd have to g r i n d off. W a n t to see i t ? " F i n e . We trot up to the p a r k i n g lot a n d the l u m b e r pile. A n d the w o r l d stops. W o n d e r of wonders, there she l i e s , the D e r e l i c t o f D r e a m s . S u r e , there's a couple three square feet of loose f i b r e g l a s s f l a p p i n g i d l y i n the breeze. P a r t of the t r a n s o m has been chewed off a g a i n s t s o m e t h i n g or other, a n d the s t e m , s p l i t from head to heel, gaps open to reveal a t a n g l e d forest of anchorfast n a i l s . One or two other details are s p l i t o r m i s s i n g . B u t the

lines, oh, the l i n e s ! A l i g h t r o w i n g dory, some v e r s i o n , I suspect, of Bolger's Gloucester G u l l ; even upside down on t h e f i r e w o o d p i l e she's a g r a c e f u l wooden b i r d , l o n g i n g to fly. A n d she could be m i n e !

We go f i n d Tom somebody or other.

T h e price? F i f t y bucks, a n d here's how I'd fix her if she were m i n e . Do I have it? Y e s , a n d about six dollars more.

T h a t w i l l g o i n t h e gas t a n k ; I ' l l postpone l u n c h u n t i l tomorrow. In a trice the craft booth is on the firewood pile (I hope it b u r n e d hot), the boat is r e s t i n g l i g h t l y atop the car (overhangi n g i n a l l directions), a n d the L u t h i e r , disconsolate no more, is flogging it up the pass, a l l 1100 cc's w r a p p e d out at 35 m p h . , a F i a t - d r i v i n g chantey b u r s t i n g from h i s throat, the odd tear of joy s l i d i n g down h i s nose, h e a d i n g for the dust devils a n d frozen l a v a flows of home.

W e l l , in point of fact it was the next s u m m e r before we got h e r in the water.

B u t you see t h i s is a success story, a n d n o t h i n g m u c h c a n go wrong now. I d i d j u s t w h a t T o m P a r k e r said, put dollops of glop here a n d there a n d l e a r n e d how to use a g r i n d e r . Took a h a c k s a w a n d got a l l the r i n g n a i l s out of the gap in the stem, then p u l l e d it back together w i t h four r i v e t s made of heavy copper g r o u n d w i r e , w i t h pennies for roves.

(You have to r i n g t h e m on a tabletop to be sure they're copper ones; the phonies j u s t click.) It's i l l e g a l to deface currency l i k e that, b u t o l d A b e d i d n ' t seem to m i n d . The transom was r a t h e r a poser, w i t h the f r a m i n g on the port side h a l f gone a n d the p l a n k i n g m u c h beat about a n d d e l a m i n a t i n g . T r i m m i n g a w a y the leprous plywood, I fitted a s o l i d oak f i l l e r between the frames, a sort of i n n e r t r a n s o m w h i c h gave something to fasten new t r a n s o m p l a n k i n g to; then a r e p l a c e m e n t section of f r a m i n g was screwed to t h a t . So e v e r y t h i n g was at least fastened to something t h a t was anchored to something t h a t was s o l i d .

U s e d bronze screws throughout, because even though the sweat dropping off my nose was the nearest salt water w i t h i n three h u n d r e d m i l e s , one never k n o w s , do one? A n d a n y w a y , some good wood a n d w o r k m a n s h i p h a d gone into her b u i l d i n g , a n d y o u don't w a n t to m a k e a s i l k purse into a sow's ear.

W h e n I was through s p l i c i n g on c h u n k s of boat, I r e w r a p p e d it a l l in fiber-reinforced bat snot (or whatever t h a t stuff is), a high-stress operation on a hot summer's day, b u t y o u don't dare bite y o u r fingernails or your teeth m i g h t stick shut. T h e n more boo-boo house p a i n t at a dollar a gallon: creamy white w i t h baby blue t r i m , a n d didn't she look l i k e a boat?

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A n d doesn't she work for one! N o w she flies across the clear waters and past the w h i t e s a n d beaches of Priest L a k e , our favorite body of water w i t h i n s t r i k i n g distance of home, surfing the b i g waves or w e n d i n g the quiet waters of the Thoroughfare, the channel to the upper l a k e . Y o u come, too. J u s t don't t e l l A L L y o u r friends. A n d now the y o u n g lads are ten a n d twelve, a n d w i t h the young cox r e c l i n i n g in the s t e r n , conning the graceful craft forward w i t h cries of "Horsey," "Pony" or "The Whole H e r d " (that's both oars, a l i t t l e k n o w n holdover from before the days of 'port' a n d 'starboard') a n d w i t h the hoary old B r o w n i e dog in the bow, she t r i m s quite nicely, a n d only S a l l y a n d I are left on shore. H m m m . F o r our next b o a t . . .

A n d the hero of t h i s tale? W h y you, of course! T h e reader of S H A V I N G S , the m e m b e r of the C e n t e r for Wooden B o a t s , the donor, the volunteer, the p a r t i c i p a n t . I won't t r y to enumerate a l l you've done a n d are doing to m a k e the t r a d i t i o n s l i v e a n d continue. J u s t w a n t to say t h a n k s , for the F u t u r e . W e ' l l be i n touch. — S t o r y a n d photos b y J o h n E l w o o d , Elberton, Washington

COMMITTEES If y o u w o u l d l i k e to help the Center for Wooden Boats by serving on any of the f o l l o w i n g committees, please express your i n t e r e s t by w r i t i n g to D a n H i n c k l e y , P r e s i d e n t o f the B o a r d , C e n t e r for W o o d e n B o a t s , 1010 V a l l e y Street, Seattle, W A 98109.

Committees currently needing m e m b e r s include f u n d r a i s i n g , political action, r e t a i l sales, c u r a t o r i a l , a n d m e m b e r s h i p development.

DELIVERING THE DAVIS BOATS, PUBLIC RELATIONS IN 1938 1938—the Great Depression was s t i l l on. "Check every boat, l a s h i n g a n d chafing gear for heavy weather ahead," s a i d D a d a s h e surveyed m y h e a v i l y loaded purse seiner, the M a r y L o u . The l a s t rowboat was carefully positioned a n d securely l a s h e d down. It was a b e a u t i f u l s u n n y s p r i n g day i n M e t l a k a t l a . W e h a d j u s t completed l o a d i n g n e w l y b u i l t round-bottom rowboats for delivery to customers throughout southeastern A l a s k a . D e l i v e r i n g these new rowboats i n person was D a d ' s w a y of m a i n t a i n i n g good public r e l a t i o n s .

The cargo h o l d was f i r s t loaded to i t s f u l l capacity w i t h the s m a l l e r 12- a n d 13-foot rowboats. The l a r g e r ones were stacked three h i g h on the m a i n deck, keels-up, to prevent s h i p p i n g sea water, or r a i n . O u r lifeboat was stowed forward on the fo'c'sle deck for quick j e t t i s o n i n g . W i t h the s u n deep i n the west, I backed the M a r y L o u a w a y from the p i e r a n d secured h e r to h e r m o o r i n g buoy. M y sister B l a n c h e took broadside pictures for M o t h e r .

E a r l y the next m o r n i n g , the crew, D a d a n d m y s e l f s w u n g our personal gear aboard, dropped the m o o r i n g l i n e s a n d s t a r t e d our long t r i p n o r t h t h r o u g h the s o u t h e a s t e r n A l a s k a p a n h a n d l e .

The concrete f i s h t r a p weights stowed deep in the cargo h o l d made the M a r y L o u r i d e the l o n g g r o u n d swells easily.

I h a d l e a r n e d my seamanship well from D a d , the most knowledgeable a n d experienced seaman I'd ever k n o w n . On m a n y occasions I h a d seen h i m m a n e u v e r h i s v e s s e l i n g a l e force w i n d s , g u s t i n g from 75 to 100 m p h w i t h seas r u n n i n g in excess of 30 to 40 feet.

Since t h e n I have followed the sea a n d ships a l l m y life.

D a d h a d p l a n n e d t h i s t r i p for months. W e h i r e d a d d i t i o n a l h e l p i n the boatyard, a n d D a d organized the entire crew i n t o a production l i n e , the smoothest operation I h a d ever w i t nessed. H a r d l y a w o r d was h e a r d , so well d i d each m a n k n o w h i s job.

B y f i r s t l i g h t w e were p a s s i n g abeam of H a l f w a y P o i n t , a local l a n d m a r k h a l f way between Metlakatla and K e t c h i k a n . O u r f i r s t stop was the fuel dock at the south end of K e t c h i k a n . O u r n e x t stop w a s the N e w t o w n f l o a t s where we took a b o a r d our galley provisions from my good f r i e n d Sanford Skidmore's grocery a n d meat m a r k e t .

W i t h the provisions neatly stowed, I moved the M a r y L o u to the R u y u s float i n downtown K e t c h i k a n . W e h a d breakfast at Tony's Pioneer Cafe. Tony was a life-long f r i e n d of D a d ' s . H i s cook was " B i g J o h n , " a m a n w i t h the most

r e m a r k a b l e memory. He took verbal orders from at least three waitresses a n d never m i x e d them u p — a l l the while k e e p i n g up a r u n n i n g conversation.

A l i g h t breeze was b l o w i n g from the west c a u s i n g l i t t l e r i p p l e s on the water's surface as the s u n rose across a cloudless blue s k y . A day most r a r e in r a i n y K e t c h i k a n . I set my course n o r t h t h r o u g h C l a r e n c e S t r a i t from the R u y u s float, p a s t N e w t o w n , S u n n y P o i n t C a n n e r y , W a r d s Cove, a n d then to our f i r s t delivery stop in W r a n g e l l .

O u r agent met us at the city float i m mediately below the W r a n g e l l H o t e l .

H a v i n g briefly attended the W r a n gell Institute, I h a d m a n y friends to v i s i t d u r i n g our b r i e f stay. D e n n y B a r low, Al Rinehart, his sisters and mother. . . . E v e r y w h e r e we went in W r a n g e l l we met the friendliest people.

F o l l o w i n g delivery of the boat orders, we received additional orders from our agent. We were pressured to sell the balance of our boats on board. N a t u r a l ly we could not since every boat h a d been spoken for, each identified w i t h

h i n d legs to get a better view. He must have been a good eight feet t a l l . A b e a u t i f u l specimen.

As we approached P e t e r s b u r g we noticed a f l u r r y of activity on the S t a n d a r d O i l dock. People were m o v i n g barrels a n d containers of a l l sizes from the storage house at the outer e n d of the pier to the shore. A b o u t t h a t time I h a d to m a n e u v e r the M a r y L o u well clear of a g i a n t iceberg being c a r r i e d into the n a r r o w s by a s t r o n g tide directly t o w a r d the o i l dock. The size of that iceberg w o u l d have made m a t c h sticks a n d k i n d l i n g out o f t h a t h u s k y pier. W e watched in awe as the g i a n t berg suddenly h a l t e d w i t h i n a few feet of the pier a s i t r a n aground i n deep water.

We met our agent, who contacted the customers. It was a l w a y s a pleasure to see how h a p p y the new boat owners were as they p u l l e d a w a y from the M a r y L o u i n t h e i r new D a v i s rowboats.

O u r agent received additional orders for m o s t l y the 14-foot square stern model, designed for use w i t h an outboard m o t o r a n d fast becoming our most popular m o d e l .

We completed our business by the following day a n d moved to the fuel dock to top off our t a n k s . It was good practice on such l o n g t r i p s to refuel whenever convenient. A n d i t t r i m m e d the M a r y L o u for rough weather. A l l h a n d s h a d dinner ashore, followed by window shopping a n d a movie.

the customer's name a n d home port. At d i n n e r that night, D a d suggested that an early s t a r t w o u l d place us in day tight at the south entrance to W r a n gell N a r r o w s , r e q u i r i n g some careful maneuvering.

N e x t m o r n i n g I backed the M a r y L o u a w a y from the W r a n g e l l float a n d set my course for P e t e r s b u r g . As we approached the W r a n g e l l N a r r o w s e n t r a n c e , D a d r e l i e v e d the wheel watch. It was fantastic to w a t c h h i m m a n e u v e r the M a r y L o u a t f u l l speed among the maze of navigational buoys, spars a n d m a r k e r s . The tide was on the ebb as we rounded one after another.

We could look down into the s h a l l o w water a n d see the gigantic boulders, jagged reefs a n d s a n d bars that gave t h i s passage i t s name as the m a r i n e g r a v e y a r d o f ships. W e delighted i n seeing a huge bear near the water's edge, a m b l i n g along s l o w l y w i t h h i s h e a d a n d nose down in the w i l d grass.

W h e n he h e a r d the sound of our exh a u s t , he t u r n e d a n d stood up on h i s

4

L o n g before first l i g h t we h a d left P e t e r s b u r g a n d were r o u n d i n g the east side o f K u p r e a n o f I s l a n d i n F r e d e r i c k S o u n d h e a d i n g northwest. We swung our course n o r t h into Stephens P a s sage, p a s t H o b a r t B a y a n d P o i n t L e a g u e off o u r s t a r b o a r d beam. We anchored o v e r n i g h t in the lee of H a r b o r Island in H o l k h a m B a y so that we w o u l d reach J u n e a u d u r i n g business hours the following day.

G a s t i n e a u C h a n n e l was choppy as the tide was ebbing against a l i g h t Southeaster off our s t e r m . The sky was overcast a n d gray, a fine r a i n f a l l i n g .

We moored at one of the m a i n steamship piers near the downtown waterfront w i t h i n sight of the large F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g . Customers who purchased square stern models brought their new outboard motors, mounted t h e m a n d motored away, a l l smiles.

W o r d s p r e a d fast on the waterfront w h e n a boatload of new D a v i s rowboats was in port. O u r agent accepted new orders on our galley table. F o l l o w i n g delivery, I m o v e d the M a r y L o u for overnight moorage next to other purse seiners nested inside the breakwater.

A t m i d n i g h t w e backed a w a y from our moorage a n d headed south i n G a s t i n e a u C h a n n e l , then west u p Stephens Passage t o r o u n d the n o r t h end o f A d m i r a l t y I s l a n d , then south down C h a t h a m S t r a i t a r r i v i n g late afternoon at A n g o o n . W i t h o u t a m o o r i n g float or p i e r to moor to, D a d selected a protected anchorage where we dropped our 500-lb. anchor. W h i l e we were busy w i t h a n c h o r i n g , D a d shouted from the open bridge for us to look t o w a r d shore.

We saw three old rowboats r a c i n g u n d e r oars t o r e a c h the M a r y L o u , c l i m b aboard a n d lay c l a i m to the r o w boats stacked on the m a i n deck. T w o m e n were sadly disappointed to l e a r n t h a t we brought only rowboats t h a t h a d been previously ordered. O u r agent a n d the rest of the customers a r r i v e d a n d took delivery of t h e i r boats, a n d our agent accepted a d d i t i o n a l orders. He i n v i t e d us to h i s home where h i s wife served us our f i r s t m e a l of fresh white silver s p r i n g s a l m o n t h a t y e a r . F o l l o w i n g a pleasant evening, we r e t u r n e d to the M a r y L o u i n a pitch-black n i g h t , guided only b y her anchor l i g h t a n d deck l i g h t s I h a d t u r n e d on e a r l i e r .

W i t h m a n y more m i l e s t o cover a n d ports to c a l l o n , we t u r n e d in i m m e d i ately after l i s t e n i n g to the late evening r a d i o newscasts. W o r l d status, gloomy a s u s u a l . Saber r a t t l i n g s i n E u r o p e .

We weighed anchor a n d cleared the A n g o o n anchorage a t m i d n i g h t , o u r course set southwest across C h a t h a m S t r a i g h t a n d between C h i c h a g o f I s l a n d a n d the n o r t h end of B a r a n o f I s l a n d .

H a l f w a y t h r o u g h the passage we h a d to s u d d e n l y change course to clear six k i l l e r w h a l e s speeding east on a w a r p a t h r i g h t in the m i d d l e of the passage.

The c h a n n e l was b o i l i n g as the giants j u m p e d out of the water a n d crashed back into the sea. On both sides of the c h a n n e l seals, porpoise a n d otter scurr i e d into shallower water or up on the beaches. A n unforgettable sight. I n m i n u t e s they were abreast of us r a c i n g a t f l a n k speed. T h e n s u d d e n l y they were out of sight. D a d was at the wheel t h r e a d i n g our way i n t o the S i t k a h a r bor by late afternoon. We moored at the c i t y float a n d soon h a d quite an audience on board l o o k i n g at the new rowboats on deck. A f t e r everyone went ashore, we followed to sightsee in the l i t t l e c i t y o f S i t k a . W e v i s i t e d the o r i g i n a l R u s s i a n c h u r c h . W e toured the schools, city h a l l , the A l a s k a n ' s R e t i r e ment H o m e , a n d the downtown b u s i nesses. We also crossed to the i s l a n d a n d saw the I n d i a n A f f a i r s H o s p i t a l . It was very i n t e r e s t i n g to w a l k where so m u c h h i s t o r y h a d been made.

F r o m S i t k a w e b a c k t r a c k e d our way to C h a t h a m Straight south around

Point Gardner, then northeast in F r e d e r i c k S o u n d to the v i l l a g e of K a k e , where we d e l i v e r e d s e v e r a l 14-ft. double-enders a n d square stern r o w boats. P r i o r to l e a v i n g K a k e we a g a i n topped off our fuel a n d freshwater for the next long r u n to the west coast of P r i n c e of Wales I s l a n d .

We departed K a k e w i t h a passenger who h a d recently lost h i s t r o l l i n g boat in a fierce storm in F r e d e r i c k Sound halfway between P e t e r s b u r g a n d K a k e .

H i s only son h a d perished w h e n the troller was smashed against the rocks.

H e h a d w a l k e d barefoot o v e r l a n d t o h i s home in K a k e . W h e n he f i n a l l y stumbled into K a k e h e found t h a t h i s house h a d b u r n e d to the g r o u n d a n d h i s wife was dead of a l o n g i l l n e s s . D a d a n d I h a d no knowledge of t h i s man's bad l u c k w h e n we met h i m on the K a k e pier a n d i n v i t e d h i m for d i n n e r o n the M a r y L o u . We were so touched by h i s s i n cerity t h a t we offered to take h i m w i t h us to K e t c h i k a n where he w o u l d have a better chance of f i n d i n g work a n d s t a r t i n g h i s life a g a i n .

We headed south through K e k u S t r a i t a n d Rocky P a s s where D a d took the wheel to pilot us through the maze of rocks, boulders, shoals a n d sandbars at f u l l speed w i t h the tide at the flood stage. We passed the S u m m i t , D e v i l s Elbow, Point Barrie, Point Baker, Protection H e a d , then out i n t o the open w a t e r s o f S u m n e r S t r a i t past Cape L y n c h through the G u l f o f E s q u i b e l , t h e n i n t o the v i l l a g e s o f C r a i g a n d K l a w o c k where we delivered the l a s t rowboats aboard. W h i l e in K l a w o c k I visited w i t h friends from the W r a n g e l l Institute.

We returned to Ketchikan around Cape C h a c o n at the south end of P r i n c e of Wales I s l a n d . We left our passenger i n K e t c h i k a n , w i t h some f i n a n c i a l help to get h i m started. We then went on to M e t l a k a t l a to once a g a i n start up the production l i n e .

N o w i t was n e a r i n g the time t o r i g the M a r y L o u for the s u m m e r s e i n i n g season. N e v e r a d u l l moment.

In closing, I recall when asked where h i s D a v i s - b u i l t boat was, D a d s a i d , " A shoemaker never h a s a decent p a i r of shoes to wear." So it has been through my entire life. I've a l w a y s w a n t e d a l i t t l e D a v i s - b u i l t r o w b o a t . B u t I've never owned one. There is no one left to b u i l d it except me.

— S t o r y a n d sketch b y J o h n D a v i s , J r .

[John D a v i s , J r . , i s the l a s t o f the D a v i s Boat Shop dynasty. H e i s now r e t i r e d in C a l i f o r n i a after a career as a n a v a l architect. The story of the D a v i s F a m i l y ' s boat shop i n M e t l a k a t l a i s told i n our monograph " D a v i s Boats." The cost is $3.50, or $4.50 postpaid.]

5

CLASSIC BOAT W h a t is a classic boat? Everyone knows, no one agrees. To keep the froth on the m u g , an eight issue per year magazine, Classic Boat, is p u b l i s h e d .

T h e e d i t o r i a l office is W a t e r s i d e House, Ponsharden, Falmouth, Cornwall. Just the address sounds so a w f u l l y t r a d i t i o n a l , so very n a u t i c a l .

T h e m a g a z i n e covers not j u s t wooden vessels; boats of steel a n d "f" w o r d m a t e r i a l s are also addressed i f they are of classic types. A n o t h e r way of p u t t i n g i t — a l t h o u g h most articles are about wooden vessels, m u l t i h u l l s a n d u l t r a l i g h t s (lites?) are not welcome, b u t there is such a b i g orchard to pick f r o m , w h o cares? T h e l a t e s t i s s u e , N u m b e r 15, J u l y / A u g u s t 1989, h a s articles about t r a d i t i o n a l boat regattas in the N e t h e r l a n d s , a design by Victoria's Tony Skidmore, a N a t Herreshoff schooner, West C o u n t r y barges, coracles, a F r e n c h daysailer, the B r e s t , France boat show, the R i s o r , N o r w a y t r a d i t i o n a l boat festival a n d more on h i s t o r y , how-to, a n d gear. T h i s issue even has a C W B connection—"The S e a b i r d Y a w l Harriet Spicer: H o w Bob A l l e n overcame the problems of b u i l d i n g a n A m e r i c a n classic."

B o b i s a charter C W B member. T h i s 26-foot y a w l was his f i r s t boatbuilding project, a n d the article emphasizes the n i g h t m a r e s he h a d a n d how he solved t h e m . It's a w e l l organized presentation from someone who s u r v i v e d a test of i n g e n u i t y to those about to t r y a n d i n cludes clear d r a w i n g s of several steps in the process. We have copies of Classic Boat in o u r l i b r a r y for those who are s t i l l h u n g r y after they consume WoodenBoat.

NICHOLAS BENTON N i c h o l a s B e n t o n , m a s t e r ship rigger a n d designer whose company, the R i g g i n g G a n g , h a s contributed so m u c h to the m a r i t i m e c o m m u n i t y , died i n J u n e after f a l l i n g 75 feet when the m a s t of a schooner he was w o r k i n g on in Rensselaer, N Y , snapped. One o f h i s l a s t projects was the Halve Maen ( H a l f Moon), a full-size r e p l i c a of the 17thc e n t u r y s h i p o f the e x p l o r e r H e n r y H u d s o n (Wooden Boat Sept/Oct 1989 " O n the Waterfront"). C o n t r i b u t i o n s to benefit h i s widow a n d three preschoolaged sons m a y be sent to the Deborah K. Benton fund, M e r r i l l Lynch, 2 S u n L i f e E x e c u t i v e P a r k , S u i t e 150, Wellesley, M A 02181; A H : 6 8 8 3 .

NATIONAL LANDMARKS

MASTER MARINERS '89

N a t i o n a l l a n d m a r k s are structures designated by our government as unique elements of our history. C o n stitution H a l l i n P h i l a d e l p h i a i s one, a n d there are about 2,000 others.

U n t i l M a y there were only two i n Seattle: the Georgetown S t e a m P l a n t a n d t h e f i r e b o a t Duwamish. T h i s s p r i n g the N a t i o n a l P a r k Service a n nounced two more—the 1904 l i g h t s h i p Relief a n d the 1889 t u g Arthur Foss.

R E L I E F , l i g h t s h i p n u m b e r 8 3 and the l a s t w i t h steam engines, was b u i l t i n C a m d e n , N e w J e r s e y a n d steamed a r o u n d the H o r n to serve our W e s t Coast.

I m o v e d a b o a r d La Mouette to prepare h e r for the M a r i n e r s a n d the Classic C a r and Boat Show at San Francisco Y a c h t C l u b . M y crew was s t i l l pending, and I enviously watched Maramel a n d Mary Beth set out to r u n the course.

A R T H U R F O S S was b u i l t o n the C o l u m b i a R i v e r the year W a s h i n g t o n became a state. S h e h a s h a d a long career t o w i n g log booms a n d barges.

H o l l y w o o d came t o h e r i n 1932 w h e n she s h a r e d s t a r b i l l i n g w i t h M a r i e Dressier and Wallace Beery in "Tugboat A n n i e . "

We stuck Mouette together the afternoon of the 20th for our only t r i a l . . . a n d got k n o c k e d s i l l y by the goofy R i c h a r d s o n B a y w i n d s . F r i d a y , the winds were l i g h t on the bay, j u s t w h a t Mouette needed for a s t e r l i n g performance. S a t u r d a y , the w i n d was l i g h t a n d from the south. " S h a l l we set the new jib?" " Y e a h , let's give it a try."

There was barely enough w i n d to f i l l the s a i l s . We sighted a w i n d line a n d headed for i t . A s i t approached, w e rigged i n , stowed the motor a n d began to t r i m the j i b . T h i r t y seconds l a t e r we were w r e s t l i n g the j i b back aboard a n d under hatches. T h e W I N D h a d a r r i v e d .

Mouette was s a i l i n g u n d e r reefed m a i n , number 1 jib and full mizzen.

G r a d u a l l y , w e got s o r t e d o u t a n d headed for the start. I was wondering w h a t the h e l l I was doing out there in my l i t t l e boat. Squarehead was h e a d i n g toward us when suddenly her r i g v a n i s h e d over the side l e a v i n g a t e n foot stump of m a s t a n d a disgusted crew. We t h r a s h e d past to w i n d w a r d , w a t c h i n g them clear the wreckage away. U n k n o w n to us, Maramel's m a i n backstay c a r r i e d a w a y a n d they were forced back to port.

O u r start was getting close, a n d we m a n e u v e r e d for position. We charged the l i n e , crossing a few seconds after the g u n . A h e a d of us was a l i t t l e sprit k e t c h , about 18' long. " W h a t the h e l l is she doing out here?" I wondered.

These vessels, both part of N o r t h w e s t Seaport's fleet, are located on the east side of C h a n d l e r ' s Cove, w a t e r w a y n u m b e r six, a t the south e n d o f L a k e U n i o n . P u b l i c hours are F r i d a y t h r o u g h M o n d a y , 10 a.m.-5 p . m . F o r more i n f o r m a t i o n , c a l l N o r t h w e s t Seaport at 206-477-9800.

F o u r n a t i o n a l l a n d m a r k s i n Seattle.

Seventy-five percent of t h e m floating.

F i f t y percent of t h e m at S o u t h L a k e U n i o n . Come t o S o u t h L a k e U n i o n — Seattle heritage n a v e l , s h a l l we say?

— P h o t o s courtesy of N o r t h w e s t Seaport

She was Fairhaven, one of the G a f f III competitors. She w a l k e d away from everyone, r o u n d i n g the f i r s t m a r k before we were even h a l f w a y there! U n fortunately, she rounded the wrong last m a r k a n d was disqualified. O t h e r w i s e , she h a d us a l l cold.

M e a n w h i l e , we were d u e l i n g our w a y t o w a r d C r i s s y , b u t cut it too fine a n d got swept below the buoy, forcing a tack. The boat hook h a d gone over the side, so we could not set the new tow foresail a n d pole i t out. W i t h r e m a r k a b ly poor judgment, I shook out the reef i n the m a i n — a n d the f u n began.

The m a i n was almost uncontrollable; the crew lost part of the sheet.

I was f o r w a r d t r y i n g to get the m a i n set when she h a d to be jibed. It was a r e a l tooth r a t t l e r , a n d I suddenly realized t h a t the peak h a l y a r d span h a d gone 6

over the m a s t h e a d , l o c k i n g the s a i l up w i t h a n i n c r e a s i n g w i n d . The jibe h a d also broken the m i z z e n gaff jaws a n d u n s h i p p e d the m i z z e n boom.

I was r e a d y to call off the race a n d h e a d for home except we could never have w o r k e d h e r home w i t h the m a i n j a m m e d u p . I thought I'd have to cut the weather l a n y a r d a n d deliberately lose the m a s t . A second jibe flipped the span back over the m a s t h e a d ! Saved! I started to drop the s a i l to get the reef back in w h e n the boom gooseneck let go.

F o r t u n a t e l y , the tack t a c k l e k e p t the boom from d r i v i n g t h r o u g h the deck.

"That's i t ! Let's h e a d for home!" I hollered, b u t as we came up on the port tack, we were r o u n d i n g Blossom Rock, h e a d i n g for the l a s t m a r k . M a i h e l d her on course w h i l e I sat on the deck, wrapped a r o u n d the boom to keep it from doing more damage. Joel got some l i n e to r e e v e a p r e v e n t e r , a n d we g r a d u a l l y got it secured. The steel p i n was bent at a sharp angle a n d would not stay in the holes so the l a s h i n g was i t . We were doing over five knots w i t h only the j i b d r a w i n g . T h e m a i n was h a l f reefed, f l a p p i n g l i k e a flag, boom buryi n g i n the sea w h e n she r o l l e d , m a i n sheet adrift. T h e m i z z e n was a tangle o f spars a n d s a i l , f l a p p i n g l i k e w a s h i n g on a l i n e . G r a d u a l l y , we got the m a i n under control a n d the sheet belayed.

T h e m i z z e n was sorted out a n d j u r y rigged to s t a n d . We were approaching the l a s t m a r k . " T h i n k she'll stand another jibe?"

"Let's t r y i t . " We f i l l e d a w a y on the f i n a l leg, most of our r i v a l s w e l l ahead of us, b u t possibly not D F L . A s w e crossed the f i n i s h l i n e , I heaved a great sigh of relief a n d went below to m i x some "Dog B e e r " for the crew. We toasted a h e l l of a race and a fine l i t t l e vessel.

L a t e r , we found that Orn h a d s p r u n g a garboard a n d p u t back, the B i r d Boat Falcon h a d gone down, b u t the crew was picked up, a n d quite a n u m b e r of other others h a d dropped out.

Wanderbird placed first in the B i g S h i p d i v i s i o n a n d , boy, d i d she look beautiful out there.

S u n d a y was spent r e p a i r i n g damage a n d on M o n d a y , Sadie, schooner, towed us to the w i n d off T r e a s u r e Island and we h a d a nice single h a n d e d sail home.

N E X T YEAR!!!

[Results for G a f f III: 1. Genevieve; 2. Quest; 3. Pilgrim; 4. Reunion; 5. La Mouette; a n d 6. Paddy West.]

— S t e p h e n M . Osborne, M i l l Valley, C A

CALENDAR OF EVENTS August 18 (Friday) CWB M O N T H L Y M E E T I N G 8 p.m., C W B Boat House C W B member, J o h n W a t k i n s , w i l l give a slide t a l k on the boats of B a n g k o k and Malaysia.

August 27 (Sunday) SCHOONER CRUISE C W B m e m b e r s a n d guests w i l l sail the 1924 124-foot schooner Zodiac on L a k e W a s h i n g t o n , 10 a.m.-6 p.m., w i t h potluck l u n c h e o n . It's a freebie, b u t contact C W B t o reserve y o u r place. Q u e s tions call 206-382-2628.

September 15 (Friday) CWB M O N T H L Y M E E T I N G 8 p.m., C W B Boat H o u s e Roy J a c k s o n w i l l give a slide t a l k w h i c h h e calls " A M a n i a c a l P u r s u i t , " o n h i s construction of a 43-foot M u r r a y Peterson schooner. T h i s is a copy of the C O A S T E R I I Roy began ten years ago a n d , after countless i n t e r r u p t i o n s , i s a l most ready for l a u n c h i n g .

October 8 (Sunday) FALL REGATTA 10 a.m.-6 p.m., C W B Site Please j o i n us for the Second A n n u a l G i a n t Z u c c h i n i B o a t Contest! A l s o h a p pening—boat races, potluck l u n c h e o n , lots of good t a l k , show-and-tell. We hope to see y o u there.

MARINE SKILLS WORKSHOPS COLD MOLDING WORKSHOPI August 16 (Wed.), 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m.; August 19 (Sat.), 9 a.m.-6 p . m .

F e e : $50/$60 Instructor: W i n d W h i t e h i l l S t u d e n t s w i l l w o r k on, b u t not complete, a c r u i s i n g sailboat; i n c l u d e s a l l basic i n f o r m a t i o n a n d direct experience i n cold molded construction. M i n : 4 s t u dents; m a x : 7.

LAPSTRAKE CONSTRUCTION August 21 - A u g u s t 25 (M-F); A u g u s t 28 - September 1 (M-F); 6:30 p.m.-lO p.m.

Northwest Seaport C a r p e n t r y Shop L a u n c h i n g : September 2 F e e : $300/$350 Instructor: E r i c Hvalsoe S t u d e n t s w i l l b u i l d a classic 10-foot N o r w e g i a n p r a m w i t h steam bent frames. B a s i c woodworking s k i l l s r e q u i r e d . M i n : 4 students; m a x : 6.

COLDMOLDINGWORKSHOP II September 13 (Wed.), 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m.; September 16 (Sat.),9 a.m.-6 p . m .

Salmon B a y Woodworks F e e : $50/$60 Instructor: W i n d W h i t e h i l l See Session I description.

MAINE GUIDE CANOE WORKSHOP September 16 - 21 (Sat. - T h u r s . ) , 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Northwest Seaport C a r p e n t r y Shop F e e : $360/$400 Instructor: J e r r y Stelmok S t u d e n t s w i l l b u i l d a classic canvason-wood canoe a n d paddles. J e r r y S t e l mok is the p r e m i e r b u i l d e r of t h i s type of canoe a n d h a s w r i t t e n the definitive book on canvas a n d wood canoe b u i l d i n g . S t u d e n t s m u s t have wood-working experience. M a x : 6 students.

INTRODUCTION TO M O D E L MAKING September 18, 20,25, 27, October 2 a n d 4, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p . m .

C W B Boat H o u s e Instructor: J i m Gass I n t r o d u c t i o n t o the a r t o f m o d e l m a k i n g , to guide one past the h u r d l e s a n d q u i c k s a n d of a b e g i n n i n g b u i l d e r .

[continued i n next column] 7

CLASSIFIED SECTION 23-ft Blue Moon, g a f f r i g g e d (see Roger Taylor's Afore Good Boats). B u i l t 1980 by B e n t J e s p e r s o n . O a k frames over cedar h u l l . 5 hp P e t t e r diesel. A real classic. P r i c e $28,000 C D N .

604-251-3040. A s k for J a m e s o r J u l i a .

New 3 burner plus oven Hillel alcohol range—$225 (normally $500); new 3-gal alcohol tank with pressure pump—$70 ( n o r m a l l y $100); new flash propane water heater—$175 ( n o r m a l l y $275); used 3-gal propane tank, full of propane—$50 ($100 new); 1956 15-hp Evinrude—$125; 1957 18-hp Evinrude—$150; free Chrysler Crown engine for parts. C a s h o n l y .

A l A r n a s o n 821-5513.

STRIP BUILT KAYAK WORKSHOP September 25, 27, October 2, 4, 9, 11 ( M o n . a n d Wed.), 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., O c t o b e r 14 (Sat.), 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

F e e : $200/$225 Instructor: Ivor T h o m a s T h e class w i l l g u i l d a 16-foot s t r i p p l a n k sea k a y a k . Ivor Thomas has designed a n d b u i l t several k a y a k s , a n d has instructed previous workshops.

M i n i m u m of 4 students; m a x i m u m of 5.

T H E SALISH P E O P L E AND THEIRSKILLS O c t o b e r 13,14,15,16 S e m i n a r / C r u i s e a b o a r d the schooner Crusader Steve a n d D o r o t h y P h i l i p p w i l l lead y o u i n t o the lifestyle of P u g e t Sound's first residents. Y o u w i l l s a i l on the 1926 65-foot schooner Crusader, make nettle l i n e s , tule m a t , v i s i t the S u q u a m i s h M u s e u m , l e a r n canoeing techniques. $300 per person, meals a n d workshop m a t e r i a l s i n c l u d e d . M a x : 6. C o s p o n sored b y C W B a n d Resource Institute.

C o n t a c t C W B t o reserve your place.

LAPSTRAKE WORKSHOP October 21 - October 28, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. each day Northwest Seaport C a r p e n t r y Shop L a u n c h October 29 F e e : $360/$400 Instructor: E r i c Hvalsoe Students w i l l b u i l d a classic l a p s t r a k e r o w i n g craft, l e d by an experienced b u i l d e r a n d i n s t r u c t o r . Basic w o o d w o r k i n g s k i l l s are a prerequisite.

M i n : 5 students; m a x : 6.

WHY WOOD? THE ANSWER LIES IN THE OWNERS A f t e r years of pondering t h i s quest i o n , it occurred to me t h a t the answer m i g h t not l i e i n the boats b u t i n the boat owners. A n d , I felt t h a t it probably didn't have a single a n s w e r , b u t m a n y .

One l a r g e group of wooden boat owners are the a r t i s a n s who b u i l t or restored t h e i r boats. T h e i r m o t i v a t i o n is t h a t of a n y creator—the joy in pract i c i n g a craft, the satisfaction of a task well done, the delight in h a v i n g made something. B o b A l l e n , who b u i l d a lovel y S e a b i r d y a w l once s a i d t h a t "it's a s close as a m a n can come to g i v i n g b i r t h . " To be able to a n s w e r "yes" to the i n e v i t a b l e " d i d you b u i l d that?" m u s t engender p r i d e even in the most modest. A n d there can be a p r a c t i c a l motive b e h i n d the urge t h a t causes a person to take up saw, p l a n e , h a m m e r , a n d s p i l i n g b o a r d : for m a n y , it's the only w a y they c a n afford a boat at a l l .

Closely a l l i e d to the builder-owners are people who w a n t a boat for a special purpose. M a y b e they w a n t to row the Inside Passage. They could be a S o u t h S o u n d o y s t e r f a r m e r w h o needs a broad-beamed, stable, one-person workboat. O r they could w a n t a n U l t r a L i g h t D i s p l a c e m e n t B o a t t o race i n S a n Francisco B a y .

Deborah a n d I w a n t e d a rowboat, p a r t l y for exercise, p a r t l y for b i r d i n g , a n d p a r t l y for e x p l o r i n g the estuaries a n d tideflats of Puget Sound. We found a design a n d a builder. F o r the l a s t nine years The L a d y D e b has shown us more b i r d s a n d helped us p r o w l more coves t h a n we ever expected.

Some owners w a n t a wooden boat because the s t a n d a r d i z a t i o n of modern life gets j u s t a bit h a r d to bear. M e r chandisers k n o w t h i s . Look at the n u m ber of things t h a t they label custom made: custom off-the-rack s u i t s , custom cars distinguishable only by their longer l i s t s of available options, a n d the u l t i m a t e o x y m o r o n , the custom-built tract home. A l l too often custom m e a n s a copy of something once unique that h a s been d i l u t e d for the mass m a r k e t .

Sometimes i t j u s t means expensive.

A custom-built wooden boat restores the w o r d t o i t s t r u e m e a n i n g . T h e owner c a n set the specifications, help select the wood, a n d watch the boat go together. There are m a n y s m a l l details a good b o a t w r i g h t w i l l fit to t h e i r reach or t h e i r p a r t i c u l a r i d e a of how things s h o u l d be shaped, f i n i s h e d , or i n s t a l l e d .

It's a costly process, b u t boats are luxury items.

8

F i n a l l y the r o m a n t i c s — t h e largest group, p a r t l y because every other type contains a b u l l - s i z e d streak of r o m a n t i c i s m . These are people who w a n t to grasp the spokes of the wheel a n d look keenly forward into the teeth of the same w i n d t h a t blew on D r a k e or crash t h r o u g h the same seas as B u l l y Forbes.

F o r some of these h a p p y dreamers the sea represents the unknowable in a life they find a l l too predictable. Others see it as the G r e a t Source. They point out t h a t our blood is only slightly modified seawater a n d that for the nine months we spend becoming h u m a n , we drift a n d s w i m i n our own private sea.

An a l u m i n u m tubing mast and a M y l a r s a i l get in the w a y of these f a n cies. A fiberglass cockpit doesn't provide n o u r i s h m e n t for these k i n d s of thoughts. They want a Ramsgate T r a w l e r or a P i l o t C u t t e r or a y a w l w i t h b a g g y w r i n k l e i n the rigging. T h e y want a boat t h a t smells of p a i n t a n d t a r a n d creaks in a seaway.

If y o u s t i l l wonder w h y people choose to b u i l d boats of wood in an age of plastic, t h i n k about w h a t they want t h e i r boats to do for t h e m .

— C h a s Dowd