After looking at hundreds of different Sailboat pictures and reading
all I could find on building your own boat, I have finally taken the
plunge. I have decided on the Roberts 434 built out of
steel. Right now
I'm planning on building the pilot house version with a cutter sail
configuration. I love wood and considered building out of wood for
several years, but the strength and cost of steel finally won me
over. The only drawback to steel is rust and weight. Modern
coatings can handle the rust problem and weight on a cruising sailing
ship can be a great asset when the seas start misbehaving. It is
also more rock resistant, that means a lot to me.
There is a certain amount of insanity in building a boat single handed. I know I'm a candidate for one of those funny little white coats with the strange sleeves. I'm probably more insane than most because I've never been on a sailboat. I just know this is what I must do. I've considered the risks and can't wait to get started with the project. I do believe a word of caution may be in order for anyone that may be reading this. I am single with no close living next of kin. My insanity may go unnoticed because of the lack of any close eyes observing my behavior. Your circumstances may be different and have a different outcome. I assume no responsibility. This page may not change very fast due to the small amount of free time I'll have to update it. On cold and rainy days I try to work on the page. Good days will be spent working on the boat, provided I have money or materials to work with. Somewhere in there I'll have to find time to go to work and earn money to buy material for the boat, food, pay the bills and taxes. I knew there was a down side to everything.
I pray Heavenly Father will give me the strength to handle this project, with its heavy physical demands, wisdom to foresee potential problems before I fall into them, and the intelligence to overcome each and every one. In the name of my Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
In case you haven't noticed, I'm what is called a 'Conservative, Right-wing, Christian Extremist (used to be called moral majority). I think a word or two is in order, least I may deceive. I lay claim on my Heavenly Father but make no pretense that he will lay claim on me. I am one of his most sinful and disobedient children. Someday I hope to do better.
Enough words. Now for the pictures, just click on the links below.
The links below were posted 19 June 2000. Updates will be listed
below when available.
<The Church>
<About ME>
<Jo and Neil's
Boatbuilding Site (Great Site --- check it out)>
<What it will be, I
hope>
<Sandy
and Gina's boatbuilding site (check out these gals)>
<HSGR>
<Building Ribs>
<The Strong
Back>
<Beginning
Shelter>
< The Framing
>
The links below were posted 30 May 2001.
The great and dreadful day of the rollover will be
coming soon.......soooo..... stay tuned. It
won't be much longer. Few more loose ends.
<Misc. stuff>
<Updated bottom
and skeg>
<Building the Second
Gantry>
Well, here it is, thank God it's over. Posted 22 July 2001.
<The Great and
Dreadful Day>
<Building
the Deckframing>
Updated 13 July 2002
<Plating the
Deck>
<The
Rudder January 2003>