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Mark, what a great job you've done--th thing is beautiful |
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| Mark White USA 033
It all started one night when I had a vivid dream. The dream started off somewhat out of the bounds of reality, but ended with the vision of a boat like I had seen in the movie Wind, maybe an 18 footer, but made of wood. Now I don't usually give dreams a lot credibility, I'm just not that sort of person, but it was so clear that I made a special trip to the book store just to see if there was anything like what I had seen, and to my suprize, there on the shelf was the last issue of woden boat magizine with a swift solo on the cover. I couldn't believe it. I talked it over with my wife, who believes firmly in dreams and decided to get involved.
I have a fairly good background in woodworking, and a love for sailing from growing up on the water, but had never built a boat. I use my 2 car garage as a workshop, and have everything on castors so I can move things around easily. The construction process is simple and straight foreward. Although there are times I don't know exactly what to do, I'll e-mail a question to the class, and they kindly all respond with pictures and comments. I know we will all be competitors on the water, but in the garage there's a real team spirit. Building the boat has been a real pleasure, I just can't explain the feeling of seeing a bunch of strips of wood come together into a work of art.
I feel that anyone who has the patience to sitck with the project can produce a high quality boat. Bram has done an excellent job explaining things in the construction manual, you just need a little common sence, follow directions, and be willing to take your time. I believe failure only occurs when one gives up, and that goes for anything in life.
Mark White
USA 033
Helena MT
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