Wooden Boats Of Yesterday

So you’ve inherited that somewhat dubious old wooden fishing boat from your grandpa! You’re feeling proud to be the one to carry on the family fishing tradition, but you’re also experiencing just a little trepidation at the though of setting out on the wide open expanses of the lake this spring on a boat that has clearly seen better days…

Well, if your newly acquired old wooden fishing boat is looking a little worse for wear, you might do well to remember that wooden boat owners generally accept the fact these kind of boats were not built to last forever.

In fact, some were probably built with the intention that they would be replaced within five or ten years, and not kept going lovingly for decades by well-intentioned descendents of the original owner.

Constant maintenance is probably the key concept here, and you will need to do some serious checking out of the boat’s structure before setting out to haul in those prize catches.

Of course, nowadays - with newer wood-based, penetrating epoxy - dry rot has become much less of a problem, but you will still have to keep up the work to keep your boat in shape for the fishing waters.

Apart from the gleaming, grand old dames of yesteryear, contemporary wooden fishing boats are still being built, and you may be surprised at the workmanship and variety available.

You may want to have a look at the beautifully crafted boats such as wide-bottomed drift boats, or the graceful curves of a special viking-type rowing-and-fishing boat.

Some wooden fishing boat builders specialize in traditional Louisiana marsh pirogues and rowing skiffs, and for these you will even be able to find building plans should you be tempted to make a project out of it!

If you just want to have the experience of fishing from a wooden boat on your next fishing trip, you can head out to Ontario, where some fishing resorts have a special wooden fishing boat supplier building them to order.

These beautiful spacious, quiet boats are hand built out of cedar and oak, and equipped with swivel seats, a fishfinder, and all the necessary emergency equipment to make your trip an unforgettable experience.

Back to that old lady grandpa used for his outings on the lake: It may be well worth remembering the saying: “Nothing works on an old boat but the owner”…

For more information visit Fishing-Things.com

Author: Rika Susan

This is a true and fun-to-read account of the art of wooden boat building in the late 20th century. The author spent time working in one of the very few boatyards left in America where craftsmen still build boats by-hand. As a result, he supplies the reader with the colorful details that can only be garnered from first-hand experience.

The story meanders from present-day through some history of boats and men’s relationship with them. Personal tales of the builders’ experiences bring the book to life. (I particularly enjoyed the tale of Nat Benjamin’s trip from Malta through the Mediterranean on the Tappan Zee.) A small dose of philosophy and plenty of colorful characters make it an interesting read.

The major part of the book focuses on the boat yard owned by Nat Benjamin and Ross Gannon in Martha’s Vineyard. Much is said about the process of building the boats themselves, as well as the people involved. All types of individuals inhabit the yard - from ‘boatstruck’ dreamers to ex-cons. Every one has a part and all of them are interesting.

The author does a fairly good job describing many of the processes involved in the design and construction of a wooden boat. Drawings and photos help the reader understand and envision the actual setting. My only qualm with the book is the use of some nautical terminology that, to my mind, wasn’t fully understandable. I didn’t always have a good idea of what the author was referring to when he’d mention some tool, technique or other technical detail. (A very minor gripe. It’s a great book.)

Author: Joseph Pescatello

Safety

Boating is one of the favorite American summer pastimes. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 70 million people go boating each year. While boating is much safer than driving a car, there are still enough boating accidents to raise some alarm signals as to why boating accidents occur. 53% of fatal boating accident victims drowned, while 39% suffered trauma and 9% died of other causes. Most boating deaths result from falling out of a small open boat, without a PFD, whether it capsizes or not. Make sure that all boaters have on flotation devices. When boating be alert to sudden boat motion changes, wind shifts, light flashes and the beginning of choppy water. These sudden changes can all mean a storm is brewing. Always carry a radio with the local “Marine Band” on it. The Marine Band broadcasts storm warnings, which should alert you to head in to a dock until the storm blows over.

On The Water

There is no excuse for littering, especially on the water. The litter that you throw into the water can contaminate fish, the water that goes to our cities, and surrounding farmlands. Going out on the boat with your family can be a fun experience that can create many happy childhood memories for your children. Growing up on the water is an experience that not all children get to have. If sunbathing is a priority, then a calm inlet where you can tie floats to the boat and be lazy in the water is a perfect spot. Many now rent houseboats where they spend their vacations enjoying the peace and tranquility of the waterways.

Canoes

Canoes are designed for ease of getting in and out, especially for older folks wishing to get into the sport. Canoes are versatile and practical for a number of reasons, and can work in a number of different situations. When it comes to introducing yourself to the water, canoes are a great place to start. The longer canoes are excellent for long open water trips, but you can also buy one-person smaller canoes for running white water. One feature that the canoe has over the Kayak is its storage capacity, which allows passengers to haul large amounts of accessories and supplies on extended water trips. Canoes however can sometimes be difficult to transport, unless you have a full-sized pickup truck and especially if you plan on loading it yourself. Another drawback of canoes is that when it rains heavily, the boat can fill up with water very rapidly.

Kayaks

The way kayaks are designed; they seem to blend in with the natural surroundings instead of disturbing them. Kayaks are never motorized…they are propelled manually, using one oar that has a paddle on either side. Kayaks are small, streamlined boats that have tapered ends and slightly thicker centers. There are openings in the middle that are just large enough to fit one person. One benefit that kayaks have over canoes is their portability. Kayaks are very easy to transport due to their size as compared to a canoe. Another thing that is making Kayaks very popular is their storability. Inflatable kayaks are becoming more and more popular for this main reason. The serenity of paddling your kayak along a glassy lake in the early morning or along a river through a small canyon at sunset can be an incomparable experience.

Engine driven boats
Before starting your engine, always carefully sniff for gasoline fumes in the engine and fuel areas, open hatches and run the blower. Fuel fires and explosions burn and kill boaters each year. People who take boat trips often fail to realize the potential disasters that can ensue if they are not careful and safe on-board their boat. Over 1,000 people die on boating trips per year, and many of the dangers associated with boating are easily preventable.

Alcohol and Boating

Did you know?

The use of alcohol is involved in about a third of all recreational boating fatalities?·

The penalties for BUI (boating under the influence) can include large fines, revocation of·
operator privileges and serious jail terms?

It is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in every state?·
Every boater needs to understand the risks of boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs (BUI). The Coast Guard also enforces a federal law that prohibits BUI. This law pertains to ALL boats (from canoes and rowboats to the largest ships) — and includes foreign vessels that operate in U.S. waters, as well as U.S. vessels on the high seas.

Conclusion

Bottom line: don’t drink and boat, wear your lifejacket, carry a radio with the Marine Band on it, take a safe boating course and maintain a proper lookout, especially for boaters who fit the profile of an accident-maker. Each year hundreds of lives are lost… thousands are injured… and millions of dollars of property damage occurs because of preventable recreational boating accidents on U.S. waterways. Too often pleasure outings turn tragic. You — as a boat operator, passenger, or concerned individual — can make a difference.

Copyright © 2007 Jerry Tarrer

About the Author

The Author Jerry T. was born in a small coal-mining town in West Virginia. At the end of World War II his father returned from the war and moved the entire family to Chicago Illinois. He was educated in the inner city completing high school and 2 years of college. Jerry became a Master Lithographer and worked in his field for 37 years. Jerry is the father of 5 adult children and 13 grandchildren. The author is now fulfilling his dream of having a business of his own at http://www.SecuritySpy4U.com and http://www.LiveSafeNow.com

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Traditionally, all types of ship models have been built of wood, though with the advent of plastic and sheet metal, these have been used for amateur kits. Of course, wooden models project grandeur and finesse. The ancient Egyptians were the pioneers who made detailed ship models. The models were crafted as part of funeral rituals, which forced the builders to strive for precision, otherwise the unmitigated soul would pester them. The ship models kept inside the coffin were supposed to transport the soul of the deceased to the next world.

Modern-day sea-faring received much instruction from these carefully preserved, 5,000- year-old models. Specimens of these boats found a place in the British Museum, the Louvre, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and many other museums worldwide.

Modern-day ship models came into existence before or during the construction of many eighteenth- and nineteenth-century warships. These were known as Admiralty or Shipyard models. Many of these models did not show the timbering they would have in the actual vessel, but the models illustrated the form of the hull and details of the deck furnishings, masts, spars, and general frame. The models provided the non-sea-faring financiers with a bird’s-eye view of the vessel that was to come into being. There are several types of construction of a wooden ship model. Some are carved from a single block of wood, others by gluing together blocks of wood, or by gluing together of slabs of wood into a laminated block. Others are built on what is called plank-on frame, built just as the full-size ship is constructed.

Wooden models of all types of vessels—luxury cruise liners, war ships, sailing ships—are available from dealers. A wooden model of a Chalutier ship costs $149.95; a USS Ronald Regan model costs $999; a wooden model Schooner costs $26.96; a Harvey wooden model costs $110; a Cutty Sark Wooden model costs $189; and an Atlantic costs $195.95. There are various price ranges for the connoisseur.

Author: Jennifer Bailey

How to find that perfect wooden boat restoration project. There are essential just three simple steps to follow in order to obtain the a desirable brand and make of wooden boat at a discount to market price. Things to consider, for instance within the contentnental United States the value of money varies greatly. Where a job paying $16 an hour in the midwest would be a respectable job, this same wage on the west coast would barely support living conditions. Some key areas of the country to target for boats in general is the midwest region surrounding the great lakes. Typically boats are always going to be cheaper within this region then they would be in on the east or west coast. Noteably though the size of the vessel your looking for might not beavailable in these regions as ocean fairing vessels will be larger.

What are the three main considerations for finding a good wooden boat restoration project, outside of boat condition, which might be a plus that is covered in another article. The three considerations to be made are as follows, what proximity to home does the restoration process have to be, finding the obscure gems, finding the unlisted gems.

What proximity to home does the project have to be, well the reason this comes up is the first topic referenced to above. Certain areas of the country will value assets at different prices, a $100,000 boat in the midwest may sell for $200,000 or more on the east and west coast. So if you have the time to work on a wooden boat restoration project within different regions of the country this might be the easiest way to save considerable money acquiring the boat of choice. Unfortunately for most of us this is not an option as we are unable to spend extended times away from home due to work or other issues. It still may be cheaper to purchase the boat and actually pay to have it moved, if the cost of the boat is $100,000 less in this region that means you can certainly cover the cost of moving the boat and still have saved considerably.

If looking in different regions on the country are not really an option then there are two more techniques that are very usefull. One looking obscure regions, within a tight geographical region prices are going to be the most expensive in metropolitan areas andclose proximity of harbors. Starting the search within the interior may lead to savings as these boats are easily over looked. Especially wooden boat restoration projects, being that they are in the interior regions they are ussually equipped to be moved. That means you won’t be stuck at some marina working on the boat. It would be considerably easier to tow the boat home and be able to work on it.

Looking in places outside of the harbors is ussually the best way to find that low cost wooden boat restoration project; however, it is still important to check with the marinas. Every year people decide to undertake a restoration project or let a wooden boat sit toolong. Many people find that they either get tired of the maintanance of wooden boat or that they are no longer interested in the restoration process. The biggest hinderance to restoration project can be the storage cost of leaving it a marina, infact many timesthese storage cost are more the capital spent on the boat. These leads to the abandonment of many boats, instead of paying the storage fees they owner opts to desert the boat and relinquish claim to it. The marinas are not interested in owning a project boat and are willing to get rid of at a extremely discounted rate in order to recoup the monies previouslyowed to them.

Author: William Skalla II

Picture this. You own a cottage on a nice piece of lakefront property. You have a beautiful view of the lake with the mountains off in the distance. It is a late afternoon in the middle of summer. You are lounging out on the lake with only the smooth motion of the water underneath your boat. Now that’s the life. Many people purchase boats for the shear relaxation that they offer. In fact, on most lakefront properties, you won’t often see a cottage without a boat docked near it.

For years they have been a popular summer luxury and one that seems to be getting more popular with time. Boats come in many shapes and sizes. Basically it is up to you to search for the particular boat that suits your needs and then go from there. If you are planning on hitting the local river system and doing a little fishing, you might be looking into a canoe or a small motorboat. If you wanted to spend the night on the boat, maybe down at the marina or out on the water, you would likely want something like a cabin cruiser. You would most likely not want to spend the night in the comforts of a canoe. It essentially comes down to what you want to use your boat for.

The old fashioned fishing boat is most popular in eastern Canada. These boats are normally massive in size and contain a great deal of room and space for carrying large traps and other fishing equipment. This is normally not a boat that you would spend a great deal of time on, but they are often equipped with beds and larger ones are equipped with actual bedrooms. This type of boat is not what one would call a luxury cruiser, but a utility boat.

A yacht on the other hand is definitely a luxury-type boat. Yachts are normally quite massive and provide the luxury and comfort that many avid boaters may be looking for. However, they do come with a price tag ranging from thousands of dollars to millions of dollars.

All in all, it depends what you are looking for in terms of a boat. For those hot summers at the cottage, a small cabin cruiser or a motorboat may be all you need. To impress those high scale clients from the Cayman Islands, you may want to spend that hard earned cash on a yacht.

The bottom line is, whatever boat you purchase, make sure you enjoy it. Take the time to learn safe boating practices and get out there and enjoy the fresh air and wilderness.

About the Author

boatpavillion.com has mini pontoon boat articles and aluminum job boat information

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Wouldn’t we all like to have a boat available for fishing? The problem is that fishing boats are incredibly expensive, and the average angler simply can’t afford to buy them. Are there fishing boats available for every angler? I used to think that this was impossibility, until I came across the solution to this dilemma. The fishing boats that are available to every angler and won’t require you to take out a loan to purchase them are called quality inflatable fishing boats. Before you turn up your nose, and start thinking about those cheap inflatable boats that children play with, hear me out. Quality inflatable boats are a viable alternative as fishing boats for every angler’s budget.

When I reference to the word quality, I mean quality. What does this mean? This simply means that the manufacturer stands behind the boats they produce with things like free trial periods and money back guarantees. These manufacturers also offer package deals that include shipping and handling, so that you don’t get any surprises right before making the purchase. Not only this but they produce quality boats that stand up to things like dogs walking in them and even being subjected to rapids. When I reference the word quality, I mean quality. Not some boat that you can pick up at your local super-center.

These quality inflatable boats come in a variety of styles from kayaks to pontoon boats and even small sailboats. The inflatable kayaks and pontoon boats are my favorite to be used as fishing boats. Whether you fish in small lakes or rivers, these boats are just what the doctor ordered. Imagine being able to float your favorite trout river in the comfort of your own personal pontoon boat, stopping along the way and fishing all of the good looking holes and runs. I can tell you from experience that it doesn’t get much better than this. If you’re looking for an affordable fishing boat, a quality inflatable is worth looking in to.

Author: Trevor Kugler