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An Auspicious Day The first time a boat touches water is a momentous event. Back in the good old days, the Vikings were reputed to run their boats down to the water over the bodies of prisoners so the keel could 'get a taste of blood.' I don't take prisoners, so that is not an option open to me. Instead, I chose to launch on February 29, Leap Day, the most auspicious day available.
Up in the morning and WTF? Snow? It rarely snows in Salem - this must truly be an auspicious day.
The Secret Boat Factory is 200 feet higher in elevation than home, so there was a LOT more snow. Even in my Subaru, the normally 10 minute drive took 30 - mostly because of this d*ckhead, driving a serene 7mph.
There she is! And yes, it is both snowing - and blowing - like stink.
I picked up Mr. Farmer and we headed to that little spot of heaven known as Cascade Gateway Park, my traditional testing ground. In the summer, this fetid cesspool of a pond is surrounded by Salem 'Special People,' but it take a real die-hard hobo to to want to be here in the winter. Nope, when the wind is blowing, you get a better class of hobo, like enterprising fisherman. He wasn't gonna give up fishing just because it was snowing. Since we were a little early, we decided to go to the nearby Wal-Mart and get Christening Supplies.
We looked through Sam's offerings of beer, wine, and even champagne, and settled on Land Shark Lager, apropos for a boat launch. Can you tell Mr. Farmer doesn't get his picture taken very often?
Back at the scum pond, fellow Coots Bryan and Bob showed up to partake in the festivities, so I turned the camera work over to Bob. One of the reasons I wanted to do a Skin on Frame Whitehall is because it makes for a very light boat - as you can see here.
I haven't weighed her lately - I'm waiting until I install the fore and aft decks, but she is something like 60 to 70lbs right now. Easily carried when the wind isn't blowing.
Oh, MAN! That's a purty boat.
Such a pretty flow to her shape, don't you think?
Not much of a detail shot for the mast step and partner, but there it is - remember I am using a hex-shaped Coopered mast for this.
Oh, that boat floats purty.
Fling some beer to the cardinal directions . . .
. . . and splash a bit on the bow. There - now the gods will be happy.
Even with a fat-a$$ like me in her, she still floats purty.
Next step was to add another person.
Eh, we didn't get a good shot of this. A smart man would build one of these as a row boat, not a sail boat, and then, without the centerboard trunk, he'd have lots of room.
Bryan wanted to see how she rowed, so he brought a pair of 8' oars. Since the locks haven't been installed, we are using rope locks - a loop around the oar, then tied to the gunnel.
You, that's right where I figured I'd need to sit - just a wee bit forward of the 3rd frame (pretty much at the aft end of the centerboard trunk.)
She rows like glass - just as smooth as you can imagine. It is a very light boat. By now, you've probably noticed I've forgotten my PFD. Funny, it's right about here that I noticed it was missing, too. BAD Oregon Boater Education Instructor! Bad!
I didn't go out far - mostly because of the wind, rain, and cold, but also because one of the oar locks had become undone. Notice that rock in the foreground?
Yup - only rock there and I hit it. Boat just bounces off.
Cold and wet, but very satisfied, we carried her back to the car.
Thanks, guys! From left to right: Bob (the camera man) Bryan, and Mr. Farmer.
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