Recent content by Troy Nicolls

Thanks! Glad you liked it. I had fun building it. If I can find a new home for it, I plan to build another in stitch and glue.

For anyone following, here's the finished product minus the spray/grassing skirt. That will have to be in another video. Oh, and I did float it on my pond! I feel it did quite well considering it's size and non flared sides. I'm also hoping someone will take this one off my hands for materials...

I usually melt the cut ends and flatten them with a wet finger and curse a pit if it’s poly rope, then roll and twist it a bit in hopes it looks nice. Sometimes I cut the whole thing off and start all over! There will be no boat building for a while for me as it seems I’m snowed in at an...

Steve I haven’t yet decided on a bow attachment for the painter. I like the idea of it being low, especially for towing purposes. I’m guessing I’ve tied (roved?) a hundred eyes over the years. My first boss with the US forest service taught me in probably 1982 and it stuck. I could never seem to...

James Yeah, I was kind of trying to cater to those who have not built anything like this before. In hindsight, I’m thinking building in stitch and glue may even be easier and I’m hoping to duplicate a similar build using that method if I can find a home for this build when finished. And yes, I...

Steve I try to keep my shop fairly organized. I have a lot more tools tucked away in my tool crib. I try to keep the most frequently used within reach. I have a long way to go brings my shop is both wood and metal oriented. I totally agree on the glassing but I’d sure like to find a slick...

Part 2

Steve I don't know why I have not got around to checking this post, but I'm glad I did! Nice to see a few comments on my video of YOUR creation! Totally agree and understand regarding all your comments. I wanted to use my stapler so bad, but I figure most guys don't have one so I stuck with the...

Well... I started the Sanford Gunning Box. Already thinking about something else, yet summer will come and my interest's will shift, and the next build will likely be at this time next year. And so the story goes.

Wow! I haven't checked in for a while. Thank you for all the posts, info and advise. I do like to build boats, but I only have use for so many. I'd love to build one from an old, proven design, but then modern construction practices get in the way (stitch and glue for one). I'm not sure what...

Great info. I'm stiull hoping to build one knowing full well it is not intended to be rowed or paddled. However.... I have a pond on my property;)

Regarding replacement of your leather. My friend Skip who is a life long sculler, has opted to fit a rubber drift boat oar stop in his oar hole as opposed to leather. Last's forever and reportedly makes less noise and offers a smoother ride. Just food for thought. I haven't done it yet myself.

Steve That helps very much. Looks like you have a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience wrapped up in your east coast historical hunting craft, but I think I already knew that! I only built a few small boats, kayaks, sculls etc, but generally speaking a very different kind of hunting...

All I can say is wow! All those picture of those historic boats and the work you guys do to them is fascinating. I don't see many boats like that here on the west coast, at least not here in Northern CA. I'd love to inherit a project like that.

Our season ended weeks ago here on the west coast. We hunt Blacktail almost exclusively... which are a pint sized variety of Mule deer. I got a nice buck on opening day, but my son got a nicer one with his muzzle loader late in the season. Video links to his blackpowder buck here: and mine here: