Gone but not forgotten

[gkentr]

Hi,
We just sold "Flotsam" our mini trawler project a few months ago.
The size, weight, cost, upkeep, and our age added up to "didn't go out much".
Even so, that was a fun project, and worked out great for our needs at the time.

The planning and building make for a good story, one i would like to share.

Here is a pic of our first launch. kentr

 

[gkentr]

Yes,
I "assembled' the one ton Pete in much the same way as the boat.
Parts from 7 old trucks, and lots of work.
Flotsam was assembled from 5 dead boats, plywood, 2xs, mat, roving,
and lots of resin.
Here is the 1971 Fiberform hardtop that donated the main hull shell.

 

[gkentr]

This is what it became after about two years.

 

[gkentr]

Lots of "sub' stories about stripping out all the rot, trips to boat shows for ideas, fetching 4 more boats, designing together, changes and rebuilds,
high hopes, expensive extras, real life interuptions, searches.
I'll spare ya the details. It was a good journey.
Here are a few more pics.

 

[gkentr]

This one is after mostly complete.

 

[gkentr]

One of the most fun parts of the build was the wheels.
Those were made from a layer of 1/4" glass, cut from the side of a boat,
and chunks of black walnut. Turned out to be very strong.
Another fun part was, "how do ya get that motor in and out of a boat
that high up in the air"?
We had some big oak trees on our lot. The only spot that was over where
I could reach the boat was about 30 feet up.
It took an 8' ladder, and two 10' extension sections, tied to the tree,
to hang a chain down for the chain hoist.
Got the job done. If there's a will, there's a way.
i'm sure that chain is still hanging there today.

 

[gkentr]

We had some great times and trips, building and using this old boat.
All done on a low budjet, with much barter, recycling, and work.
The end "cash" outlay was around $3,000, including trailer work,
better galvanized wheels/tires, two Lorance units, radios, charts,
seats, resin, mat and roving, 1,500 watt Heart interface, batteries,
and windows/portholes.
2014 prices. There have been some expansive changes since then.

Bartered items included things like a new 12 guage, 10 mm semiauto,
good running chev 350, rolly shop table, bicycles, upholstery
work, with materials, and a mooring cover for a 28' Bayliner.
All things of value, but "onhand" or within my ability, and not counted in the cash outlay.

If I had it to do all over again, I would do it over again.
Thanks for looking.
kentr

 

[racerone]

Have a buddy that assembled his own " tractor / snowblower " 4 X 4 machine.-----Parts from various vehicles.-----Two transmissions . one from a tow truck to get live PTO.-------Uses 2 clutches and 2 shift levers.----3 point hitch.-----Took the odd " sit-down " with a drink to look things over.----And the what do I do now head scratching.-----Uses it around the neighbor hood and helps folks out.-----Have to admire folks for going through with these projects , recycling and saving money to boot.-----Not every one wants to watch pro sports every day.

 

[gkentr]

I agree that "watching" anything gets old after long enough.
My take on pro sports is that a lot of folks need to lose for there to be
a winner.
Now that I look back I can see that fixing, repairing, building and rebuilding
is one of the very good things learned from my dad.
Skills that are fading away these days.

kentr

 

[racerone]

And fading fast !