Boat Builder Central - Builder Forums

A visitor to our Texas Boat Builders meet last July was Chuck Leinweber of Duckworks Magazine. We had a real nice visit. Chuck is definitely infected with BBV (he can't remember all the boats he has built). Anyway, Chuck invited us to the first annual Port Aransas plyWooden Boat Festival. http://www.portaransasplywoodenboatfestival.org/

Sounds like a great opportunity to connect with other builders. The icing on this cake is that Jacques himself will be there!

Chuck and Jacques are hoping some (actually a bunch) of the Bateau builders will show up with their projects. I'm putting it on my calendar even though I don't qualify as a builder. It sounds like a fun event and I would love to visit with Jacques again.

Email me if you have any questions. I'll relay them to Chuck or have him get back to you directly.

Hope to see a good turn out.
MD

I second that. It will be an opportunity to meet other amateur boat builders.

I'll bring my OB-17 down, get some early fall fishing in.

I have heard from two builders so far. That's a good start! According to information on the link above anyone who brings their boat for display, finished or not, registration is free, you get a T-shirt and dinner with all the designers on Saturday.

Contact me if you any questions!

MD

I just made reservations from the 16th to 19th.

I'm looking forward to seeing all the boats and getting a little fishing in

I might be able to swing this. Should be splashing the boat by then.
If I make and the family doesn't tag along, I'll have plenty of room at the house. Keep y'all posted.

Made reservations from 10/16 to 10/20.
Anybody who brings a bateau boat, please contact me. We should have a bateau dinner together.

I made reservations for the weekend and plan to bring my LB22. Looking forward to meeting up with folks and dinner sound good.

Ob board Dougster

If you bring a boat to Port Aransas, please follow this link:
http://www.portaransasplywoodenboatfest ... boats.html
and register.
It is free plus get other freebies like a tee-shirt and dinner with the designers.

I would love to see a couple of our boats on that web page.

I will be there but I don't have a boat to bring.

MD

Mad Dog emailed me about this show a few weeks back. I am really looking forward to being there. My daughter has gymnastics competition on Sunday of that weekend so I am going to have to pull out Saturday afternoon, but I will be there with my FS18. Mad Dog promised to keep reminding me so I don't let it slip thru the large cracks in my brain and get lost. Thanks Mad Dog! I am excited to meet some new folks and talk boats! And this event is right down the road from me, 15 miles. It would almost be faster for me to get there by boat! Maybe I could have mine displayed on the water?

I'm in. I won't have the topsides finished yet and I might show up with mud and slime on the decks, but what the heck. Looks to me like Mike and I will have the most aggresive little boats of the line up on display. Doesn't exactly look like a power boat crowd. I'll send in a pic and see if they'll put it on the website so maybe we can shake things up a bit. I've actuall got a friend who is finishing a Port A skiff out with a 90 hp jet drive right now in the Farley Boatworks shop. Should be fun. Thanks for the heads up Mad Dog, just got the place down there reserved this week so can finally confirm I'll be there.

Boater, Dougster, Mike and Cannon thanks for stepping up guys!! This should be fun. Fishwater, sure hope you can make it. Even if you are not ready to splash your boat would be great to show off.

Dougster, sorry to keep pestering you. I didn't see your post of 9/4, sorry.

Still plenty of room for other builders.

MD

Oh yeah...

Thank you, I'll see you there.

Mad Dog wrote:Boater, Dougster, Mike and Cannon thanks for stepping up guys!! This should be fun. Fishwater, sure hope you can make it. Even if you are not ready to splash your boat would be great to show off.

My wife is pulling a 24hr shift at the hospital on that Friday. I might be able to swing it. It would mean a 3.5hr drive with the boys (3 & 1) by myself.
I'd certainly like to attend though.

This is shaping up into a good time I'm looking forward to meeting new builders and seeing old friends. I checked the website out and didn't see where you register if bringing a boat, other than posting a pic. I want to park my lb22 (Nina) on the grass and wander around all day so I guess there's plenty of room without registering

Says good times are coming Dougster

If you bring a boat, the registration is free. I think the LB22 would have good success there since ti is a nice blend of classic lines with modern materials.

It can be a very interesting show since most the boats will be very different from ours. Lots to talk about.

I'm going to rent a slip for the weekend. I will only be using it part of the weekend so it will be open for you guys to use. It will be nice to be able to take people out for rides.
I contacted Chuck, one of the organizers, and he said there will be overnight security for those that want to leave their boats on site.

See ya there!

I think I would like to rent a slip also. Who should I contact?

How about asking Chuck? I think he can get you a deal on a slip.
If you don't have his email, click on one of his previous posts.

Thanks Jacques, I just sent Chuck an email. I'm really looking forward to this event and meeting all of you.

I did thru the website. It is a bit difficult to find but its there. There is a link at the top of the page with all the boat pictures. It is $20 for the whole weekend! That's a sweet deal. They usually go for $20 a day.

AtTheBrink wrote:I did thru the website. It is a bit difficult to find but its there. There is a link at the top of the page with all the boat pictures. It is $20 for the whole weekend! That's a sweet deal. They usually go for $20 a day.

Thanks Mike, I just paid for my boat slip!!

Alright! I reserved one this morning. I might come over to the show by water on at least one day. It is an easy way to beat the ferry traffic!

Be sure to snag a coupon from Jacques while at the show, he will have plenty

Coupons! I like coupons!

Jacques had mentioned wanting to get together for dinner one evening. I know the show is hosting a dinner Saturday night. Would y'all like to get together Friday evening for dinner or a couple beers?

Yes to a bateau builder get together but not on Saturday night since there is an "official" show dinner or party.
Friday sounds good if everybody is there. I'll be there from Friday morning until Sunday evening.

There is a great little place over in Aransas Pass called Micky's bar and Grill where we could meet and eat. Great food, cold beer, on the water, great atmosphere. What do you think? You also avoid the tourist crowds and tourist prices of Port A. It is a short 10 minute drive from the ferry landing, or if you come by boat, it is 7 miles from the Port Aransas Harbor. It's a nice easy boat ride and there is plenty of spots to park your boat there.

I'll be heading out today around 5:30pm, I'm looking forward to it.....gonna be a good time!!

I'm showing up mid afternoon tomorrow. Friday night is a promised nice dinner out with the wife, otherwise I intend to hang out at the marina where I'm parking my LB22. My cell is two one zero, then four one five, one, one, eight three. Gonna get up in the morning, and ...

I believe I'll dust my broom Dougster

I arrived yesterday evening. Will go out this AM to explore, we are supposed to have a "bateau" table somewhere. I will give a presentation this PM at some Community Center but I have to locate the place first. Will go to the marina, Farley Boats and the museum. I am wearing a white long sleeve bateau meeting tee-shirt and a red bateau cap for those who have never met me.

I arrived yesterday evening. Will go out this AM to explore, we are supposed to have a "bateau" table somewhere. I will give a presentation this PM at some Community Center but I have to locate the place first. Will go to the marina, Farley Boats and the museum. I am wearing a white long sleeve bateau meeting tee-shirt and a red bateau cap for those who have never met me.

Wish I could be there. Yall take pictures!

Well, looks like my trip was cut short. My truck started losing power just as I entered Austin last night....screwed up a lifter and possibly a rod. Good thing is that it's still under warranty.

I have paid for a slip for the weekend so if anyone wants to use it please feel free.

I am here at the Show. There are about 40 boats here so far and more are coming. I am the only Bateau boat here. There is a Bateau banner at a pavilion with samples and coupons but I haven't seen Jacques or anyone else.

My weekend plans got messed up too. I am left with driving down Saturday morning to spend the day then head home. At least I'll get to see some of you guys tomorrow.

MD

Boater45 wrote:Well, looks like my trip was cut short. My truck started losing power just as I entered Austin last night....screwed up a lifter and possibly a rod. Good thing is that it's still under warranty.

Are you hanging out in Austin to get your truck fixed?

MD

I met Mike, maybe some others will show up.
Sorry to hear about the truck problems.

The show was great today! Not sure who all will read this but I am at Mickey's in Aransas Pass if any of y'all want to join my wife and I for dinner. If not I'll see you guys in the morning!

Too late but let's meet tomorrow. How about lunch somewhere with all the bateau builders who are present? Let's meet at 11.45 under the bateau banner. Otherwise, there is the "dinner with the designers" at night. That's at the park. I prefer lunch.
PS: I have a presentation at 14.00, let's do it early.

That sounds like a plan to me.

Pictures???

Pictures???

Waiting here too

I know Jacques took some pictures, not sure about Dougster or Mad Dog. I didn't get any, sorry guys. There were a some pretty cool boats, most of the boats shown were sail boats. The stories from some of the builders were pretty cool. There were people from all over the globe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and all over the States too. I had a great time.

I finally got to meet Jacques, his compliments on my boat sure mean a lot! Dougster is quite a character! His boat is awesome! I wish he had it on the water, I really wanted to see her run. Mad Dog, thank you so much for telling me about this show and I am sorry we didn't get to go fishing. We need to put a trip together soon. I missed Cannonball and a couple others, next time. I did see Cannon's FS18, that's a nice little rig! With that jetdrive that is a skinnywater machine! Will, sorry to hear about your truck, hope you can make it down next year.

Hey Mike, sorry I missed you, everybody had two thumbs up for your boat. Looked to even have the Farley guys changing their style to more the light weight low hp boats like ours. Now, I'm planning on pulling the motor and getting mine dolled up. Once I get it there I'll plan a winter time low tide trip where we can leave the women and small shildren at the dock and just go fishing. Having that little one down in port a sure does slow me down. Good to meet everybody!

Had great time seeing everyone. My apologies to everyone looking for boat porn. I was so busy admiring the boats and discussing the various attributes with Dougster and the builders I never thought to take pics. Jacques, thank you for making the trip. It certainly meant a lot to all the builders! I know you made the day for UncleD and AtTheBrink. I hope the trip will turn into more business you.

Had a great time, especially the fellowship.

MD

It was nice to meet many TX builders. Yesterday, saw MD leaving with the LB22 just when I came in.
I took some pictures of details but nothing worth posting.

Yes, the Farley Boatworks crew loved our boats and they may adopt some of our methods. Same for John Welsford. I may design a boat in the style of the Farley outboard for budget minded builders.
I also have some exciting news in areas but must fine tune the details before making an announcement.
All together, great week-end meeting great builders (that FS18 was worth the trip) and good contacts with other designers and the Everglade Challenge people.

Cracker Larry wrote:

Pictures???

Waiting here too

I will post some boat pictures when I get back in Florida.

jacquesmm wrote:Yesterday, saw MD leaving with the LB22 just when I came in.

Just don't tell Dougster it was me who made off with his boat.

MD.

[quote AtTheBrink]Mad Dog, thank you so much for telling me about this show and I am sorry we didn't get to go fishing[/quote]

Not to worry. We will fish. Dougster made it my mission to learn all your secrets so we can do the pot licker thing on you.

MD

Mad Dog wrote:

jacquesmm wrote:Yesterday, saw MD leaving with the LB22 just when I came in.

Just don't tell Dougster it was me who made off with his boat.

MD.

Still confused. I mix up real names, usernames and boats related to them.

Mad Dog wrote:

Mad Dog, thank you so much for telling me about this show and I am sorry we didn't get to go fishing

Not to worry. We will fish. Dougster made it my mission to learn all your secrets so we can do the pot licker thing on you.

MD

Fishing the the old "bent rod pattern" eh Chuck?
That's fine by me, stay in touch and we we'll go catch some fish!

jacquesmm wrote:It was nice to meet many TX builders. Yesterday, saw MD leaving with the LB22 just when I came in.
I took some pictures of details but nothing worth posting.

Yes, the Farley Boatworks crew loved our boats and they may adopt some of our methods. Same for John Welsford. I may design a boat in the style of the Farley outboard for budget minded builders.
I also have some exciting news in areas but must fine tune the details before making an announcement.
All together, great week-end meeting great builders (that FS18 was worth the trip) and good contacts with other designers and the Everglade Challenge people.

Wow! Thanks for the compliment on the FS18 Jacques!

That Farley guys were sure fun to talk to. I am going to drag my boat over to their shop sometime in the next couple weeks. Curlee is really interested in it, so is the Harbor Master (I forgot his name, I am horrible about that), he has the green Farley center console withe the mahogany poling platform.

It was a great time all weekend. Thanks for everything guys!

Everyone's said it all. We were having too much fun to remember to take pics I have one emailed to me that I can't get uploaded to photobucket to post. Thanks to Jacques for coming and being so friendly to all of us. He's real good company. Mike's boat is a jewel, you can see he's had mucho hours on the skinny water chasing fish. Every detail on the boat is there for a purpose. Wish I'd had more time to visit with my nearby neighbor, Cannonball, but he was pretty busy with that little one Boats were every where, guys were all friendly, Jacques had good stories, the day had wings.

About mid afternoon MadDog couldn't stand it and grabbed a rod out of his truck to throw what I call a tout off the rocks there at the marina. Ten minutes and he catches a pretty little 14" trout, right there in the midst of it all! It was that kind of day. UncleD showed up with wife and friends and the party kicked up. A bunch of us ended up eating dinner together that night. Shirley and I sneaked off alone later for a gelato. Life was kind.

The next day, on the ferry going home, some guy comes up and starts saying how he loves my boat, wants one, etc. We talked a minute and eventually discovered we went to high school together. He was on the football team that went to state my junior year. Me...well, I was on the tennis team Let's just say I wasn't dating the cheerleaders and he and I didn't run in the same circle. Still here we were, decades later, talking boats. He runs a bait shop in town and says he'll cut me a deal when I drop by next time

Had him a great time Dougster

Might have gone more than 14". It was a fat one too!

MD

Some pictures:

This is a Welsford design, the Scamp. Cleverly done: water ballast, balanced lug rig and many fine details. Very seaworthy for 12' long.


Cannon's FS18. He was there with his baby and promised to finish the boat soon.


The boat is painted white now, nice Benford live aboard.


The famous Bolger Folding Schooner.

The Goat Isalnd Skif by Mike Storer. Very clever design. I love his rudder set up.



There were many very small boats. I think this is the Mouse from Gavin Atkin,. he says nice thigns about my designs in his book, don't make fun of his little Mouse.


Mike's FS18, great finish.


Dougster LB22 attracted a lot of attention.

That house boat was amazing inside. He came all the way from Canada.
Protected waters only.


I can't remember the design name but everybody called it the Chevy. The headlights work!


This Tom Hill design won the best finish price. It was almost as nicely finished as Mike's FS18 but teh FS18 was at the dock and the judges didn't see it.
This little ultralight canoe was to pretty to ever use, it's the kind you hand on a wall.

Most of those boats were built with MarinEpoxy.

There were many more boats. I like most of the Farley boats but their best one is a 15' outboard skiff.
Not built the same way than our boats, they are very simple, use wood battens or boards as chines. Less glass, cheaper plywood. no stringers (that may be a problem) but inexpensive and the can be built faster since you don't have to wait as often for the epoxy to cure.
They are a little bit in the style of the Brockway skiff:


I may design something in that style for those who want to build a simple boat very quickly and accept the limitations: they will not last as long, not perform as well but you'll be on the water faster and for less.

My boat was at the dock some of the time... Its pretty easy to see how the judges may have missed it. I just couldn't help myself, there was a great trout bite on and they were screaming my name! I also caught a Spanish mackerel up on the flat, kinda rare to catch in that shallow. But Sunday I caught an 18 inch barracuda, really rare to catch one of those on the flats here.

I only just read this post, sorry. I was one of the four judges at PA and I have to apologise to those down on the docks. You are right, we didn't get down there so you didn't feature in the judging.

It was really hard choosing the "Best of Show" as we basically all had different top 10's - there were that many great boats on display. We went round separately and then all together and eventually almost drew straws to chose the overall winner.

But for those who were displayed ashore... some people left early, some on Saturday, even though the show didn't finish until 4pm Sunday. One of those who left early was the only boat that featured on all our Best of Show lists, but because the builder and boat left early we didn't think it fair, or right, to give him first place.

Next year will be different!! We will know how to do it, for a start we'll start taking bribes now......

Richard Woods