Chine bLog

And so, like all good things, another set of sessions with Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum's Apprentice for a Day program has ended. And what a way to go - sailing a Delaware Ducker, the sister of the one on which I have been working. We got two little sails in, with some fine tuning of the rigging in between. Video of the sail is below; note that I shot it before we tightened up the snotter to get the sail to lie right. Enjoy, and thanks to our new friends at Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum!

Here are the completed boats. That red one is just amazingly beautiful...

I was able to get out to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum for another round of its Apprentice for a Day program. The highlight of the day was launching the other Delaware Ducker (then one not being built in the program) and getting out for a little row in her. Here is a short video of her maiden strokes with master shipwright Dan Sutherland first and then Tony, another museum employee second.

Based on a brief outing, this boat rows beautifully. I hope to be able to sail one soon.

Now, to other updates...

A final note from Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum - I mentioned Dan Sutherland below. I parked, not yet beknownst to me, next to his truck, which had an interesting looking boat on top of it. I was pretty sure I correctly pegged it as a replica of an old sailing canoe, and right I was. Here she is, I believe:

There is more about this beautiful boat at the American Canoe Association's National Sailing Committee site.

Incidentally, you heard it here first: in about 10 hours, Gavin over at intheboatshed.net is going to set the world hyperlinking speed record in putting this site up there. ;^) I just know we're kindred spirits on this one...

Location: Hammondsport, NY, USA

And so, it came, my last of four trips out to Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum's Apprentice for a Day program. What a great experience it has been - I can't wait until life's other demands allow me time to head out there again.

The boat is coming along well. The frames and deck knees are all in and shaped, the forward deck beams are in, and the centerboard trunk is now snugly in place. Having worked on a number of these pieces over the last few weeks, I love seeing them in their rightful home.