its on

a steady ticktock in my mind marks the tempo.
my body rocking ever so slightly to the rhythm.
weightless to weighted and back again.
shhhhhhhhhhuck it rushes to a stop through guides glinting in the fading sunlight.
unrolled perfection soft upon the surface.
a deep shluurp marked by ringlets of silver.
strip.
a tightness,
a familiar growing vibration,
a shake,
a smile.

Copyright: NathanMcLeod 2015

the river

I could have fished today.
I could have stood, my heart still, waters flowing around me.
millions of caryola colored leaves reflected in deep black pools,
hours of emptiness on deserted stretches of water, burbling over rocks.
heard the king fishers and the ducks, an eagle in the distance,
felt the damp cold through waders and boots and the wind cutting through layers of cotton and nylon.
The tightening of my cheeks against the cold.
witnessed an unseen insect as it struggled for life near the surface, ripples radiating outward, hunger satisfied.
gravel fanned, competitors chased, and territory defended.
hearts won if only for fleeting moments of procreation,
lifeless bodies laying in decay having completed their task.
cleansing crystal clear life rushing toward and away
unending

Copyright: NathanMcLeod 2015

Surf board update

Got the decks down and the basic shape started shaping and finish work now

Unexpected find

This is just an update on the speed liner restoration. I sanded the sects to find that the original varnish was hiding awesome cedar grain dark knot with deep red heartwood and light yellow sap wood. These colors only came to life as I was coating it with smiths penetrating epoxy.  I am very happy with this discovery and I can't wait to ad varnish and creat that fantastic depth of finish that really makes a boat pop

Rope fenders

I searched low and high trying to find a source for rope fenders. I was struggling with the idea of putting plastic between my 10 cotes of varnish and a dock, I think, rather I know varnish looses in that fight. Well, I searched the net to learn a new skill after that and here is the end result. 

I like the end result. I don't know that cost wise others will decide they want nice looking fenders that won't scuff their finish as quickly. For me there is no question that a boat of this age and quality deserves vintage looking fenders   What are you thoughts ?

Dodge, Chris Craft, speed liner

I had to set aside the Dodge for the last month. I have been down to brass tacks on the Chris Craft and as they say the devil is in the details. I must say that it has been true on this boat every time I have solved a problem with a custom answer there has been another detail involved, also requiring custom work. I guess if it was easy everyone would do it.

all that's left is float test waterline sea trial and punch list. I can not wait to see this boat out the door. 

I picked up a small Speed Liner not too long ago. I have been putting some time in on that boat as well. She is only 12' long my wife is insistent that I put the name "lil Boat" on her I am not sure   Pics of her in the next few days. 

I was also playing with some rope this weekend and built this fender

My hope is that the Chris Craft client will want some of these for his boat in place of ugly varnish wrecking plastic fenders.

The first White Oak Frame and 2 knees are in place. they are temporally fastened so that the entire frame can be dry fit, before 3M 5200 is applied. I only got one in the boat today but i ruff cut and surfaced all the lumber for the bottom frames, knees, and upper frames. White Oak is hard and heavy. Here is what the American hardwood export council says.

"American white oak (Quercus spp.) Other names: Northern white oak, Southern white oak Distribution Widespread throughout Eastern USA. The white oak group comprises many species, of which about eight are commercial. General description White oak is similar in colour and appearance to European oak. The sapwood of American white oak is light coloured and the heartwood is light to dark brown. White oak is mostly straight grained with a medium to coarse texture, with longer rays than red oak. White oak therefore has more figure. Working properties White oak machines well, nails and screws well although pre-boring is advised. As it reacts with iron, galvanised nails are recommended. Its adhesive properties are variable, but it stains and polishes to a good finish. The wood dries slowly and care is needed to avoid checking. Due to its high shrinkage, it can be susceptible to movement in performance.     Machining Nailing Screwing Gluing Finishing Physical properties A hard and heavy wood with medium bending and crushing strength, low in stiffness, but very good in steam bending. Southern white oak is faster grown with wide growth rings, and tends to be harder and heavier. Specific Gravity: 0.68 (12% M.C.) Average Weight: 769 kg/m3 (12% M.C.) Average Volumetric Shrinkage: 12.6% (Green to 6% M.C.) Modulus of Elasticity: 12,273 MPa Hardness: 6049 N * Values for Q. alba Durability The heartwood is resistant to decay, extremely resistant to preservative treatment, and the sapwood is moderately resistant to treatment. Availability USA: Readily available but not as abundant as red oak. Export: Very widely available in lumber and veneer, in a full range of qualities and specifications. The most important hardwood export. Main uses Construction, furniture, flooring, architectural joinery, exterior joinery, mouldings, doors, kitchen cabinets, panelling, railway sleepers, timber bridges, barrel staves, coffins and caskets. White oak can vary in colour, texture, characteristics and properties according to the growing region. It is therefore recommended that users and specifiers work closely with their suppliers to make sure the wood they order is suited to their specific needs. Northern and Southern may be sold separately."	Alder Ash Aspen Basswood Beech Birch Cherry Cottonwood Elm Hackberry Hickory Hard Maple Pecan Red Oak Sap Gum Sassafras Soft Maple American Tulipwood Walnut Willow White Oak
I think they summed it up well enough.  they did however leave out that it makes great boat frames. Random picture of surf board/ SUP hybrid progress to follow.		© 2002 American Hardwood Export Council