Latest boat build and life in general...

[Brad Taylor (NC)]

Been a busy summer. After finishing up the new shop in early spring we started on the house renovations where we pretty much gutted the main floor and have moved into the basement. Myself and my father in law have done a ton of the work, working pretty much 6 days a week so most days I wasn't able to work on a boat until after dinner/family time and Cole was off to bed.


Regardless, the summer has been good and productive.


First, I repurposed some of our kitchen cabinets. I took the discarded island, added casters to make an out feed table and installed a Kreg router table insert. Now no more dragging out the small table for the few pieces that I router with each build.

Added a these under my lumber racks, I have since added another cabinet door up top.

Got some nice pub in American Waterfowler again this year.

Cole spent quite a bit of time in the shop this summer, carving and making various things. One of which was frog gig like he saw on Dual Survival. Once completed, we of course had to go frog gigging. He ended the night with his shoes sucked off countless times, muddy as all get out and 4 frogs.

Few of his other projects and learning to carve on his on...

We even had a visitor to the shop the other day. I haven't seen a garter snake around here in ages. I used to catch tons of them when I was Cole's age.

Lastly, I just finished up an ATC headed to NY with perfect timing as I head back to my real job of teaching on Monday!

Lastly, I finally managed to finish finishing my Shaw & Tenney sculling oar. I glassed the bottom 4", sealed the oar sans the handle with epoxy and painted with LSB Dead Grass Brown and linseed oiled the handle. Also was my first attempt at stitching the leather on, not too bad for a rookie!

I've done a little lurking this summer but been too busy to post much. Hope you guys are all doing well and ready for the upcoming season!


Brad

 

[Al Hansen]

I sure did enjoy this, Brad. Seeing the pics of your shop made me think of all the hard work you put into it. Congrats.

Loved that series of pictures of Cole and the snake. Made think of a 5th grader that I had in St. Anthony Village, MN. I was helping him with a math problem when the snake decided to come out of his shirt pocket and take a look around. It did get my attention!

That boat is a dandy and whomever will be motoring to their favorite spot will sure enjoy that ride and the day shooting ducks.

Have a good year in the classroom.
Al

 

[RLLigman]

I'll second Al's comments!

Also, great idea on re-purposing the vinyl coated shelving into cockpit thatching rails!

 

[Steve Sanford]

Good morning, Brad~

A visual feast! Great to see all the shop improvements, Cole's adventures, and especially all the fine workmanship and details on your boat.

And, it spurs many memories: I had modified my outfeed table years ago - not for my router but for my sewing machine. We still have plenty of Garter Snakes here - but it's distressing when they slither toward my lawn tractor - apparently attracted by the vibrations. Great stitching on the leather! Every stitch was pulled just tight enough! (I dress mine with lanolin each year)

All the best,

SJS

 

[Shawn Linn]

great stuff Brad, I always enjoy watching young ones embracing their red neck side. I think if more parents would let their kids their shoes sucked off in the swamp that we would have a lot more stable society. I just finished a kitchen for a family and every time the sons walked in the house the first order barked out from mom was wash your hands. I fear these two young boys will never know the feel of mud between their toes.

Boat looks great, and has given me an idea on an inexpensive blind option for my sons tin boat, Albeit temporary as the salt will eventually eat through the steel.

 

[Brad Taylor (NC)]

I sure did enjoy this, Brad. Seeing the pics of your shop made me think of all the hard work you put into it. Congrats.

Loved that series of pictures of Cole and the snake. Made think of a 5th grader that I had in St. Anthony Village, MN. I was helping him with a math problem when the snake decided to come out of his shirt pocket and take a look around. It did get my attention!

That boat is a dandy and whomever will be motoring to their favorite spot will sure enjoy that ride and the day shooting ducks.

Have a good year in the classroom.
Al

Thank you Al. Your posts have always been some of the first I click on when I stop in, as I know there will always be plenty of treats for the eye!

Brad

 

[Kevin Harrington]

Ditto, what they said.

 

[Brad Taylor (NC)]

I'll second Al's comments!

Also, great idea on re-purposing the vinyl coated shelving into cockpit thatching rails!

Thank you RL. They work surprisingly well and can be bought in various lengths and widths.

Here's a couple of pictures with them grassed.







Brad

 

[Brad Taylor (NC)]

Good morning, Brad~

A visual feast! Great to see all the shop improvements, Cole's adventures, and especially all the fine workmanship and details on your boat.

And, it spurs many memories: I had modified my outfeed table years ago - not for my router but for my sewing machine. We still have plenty of Garter Snakes here - but it's distressing when they slither toward my lawn tractor - apparently attracted by the vibrations. Great stitching on the leather! Every stitch was pulled just tight enough! (I dress mine with lanolin each year)

All the best,

SJS

Thank you Steve. I wish we had more around here. I saw the first one I have seen since we moved into this house 10 years ago, a week or so ago and he quickly slithered under the dog kennel. My bet is that this was the same little fellow.

Sewing, now there's something I've always wished I could do too! Maybe one day...

Brad

 

[Brad Taylor (NC)]

great stuff Brad, I always enjoy watching young ones embracing their red neck side. I think if more parents would let their kids their shoes sucked off in the swamp that we would have a lot more stable society. I just finished a kitchen for a family and every time the sons walked in the house the first order barked out from mom was wash your hands. I fear these two young boys will never know the feel of mud between their toes.

Boat looks great, and has given me an idea on an inexpensive blind option for my sons tin boat, Albeit temporary as the salt will eventually eat through the steel.

I agree entirely! Like the bumper sticker I saw, "Hunt with your kids and you won't have to hunt for your kids." My wife never grew up around guns or hunting but she's beginning to see the value of all the outdoor time with dad. On a related note we have read Old Man & the Boy twice and just recently started The Old Man's Boy Grows Older.

As for the shelving, it will actually last quite awhile, even around salt water. Especially if you glue or silicone the little caps on the end.

Brad

 

[Brad Taylor (NC)]

Ditto, what they said.

Thank you Kevin.

Brad