It’s Like Me. Certainly Not Perfect, But Useful. :)

DougSteel Boat

The top rim has some bad voids, but nothing that can not be fixed with welding.   The next one will get two risers attached to the top rim.  Many thanks to Paul Walter who has been a great crew member to have around these last couple of weeks.  We learned a lot of good lessons.  

Place Your Bets

DougSteel Boat

A fantastic improvement was the addition of a PID that held the temperature of the burnout kiln at 1000F plus or minus 20 degrees. The PID triggers a Solid State Relay and the powers a solenoid valve that simply added more gas to the burner as needed. With only one small crack in the mold we bought our 70 pounds of … Read More

Casting the Capstans or Try try again.

DougCasting, Steel Boat, Winches

When a toddler stumbles and falls for the fourth time.  No body says, “Just give up.  You’re a failure”.    But by the time we get to high school it’s common.   Failure is synonymous with looser, flunkies, stupid, retard.  The whole idea of failing at anything is abhorrent.   So most of us rightfully avoid failure, and in doing … Read More

Chinese Junk Sailboat – Catwalks and Keels and Engine

DougCatwalks, Keels, Steel Boat

We say goodbye to Marc Hofmann our new crew member from Vienna Austria who is continuing his tour of the USA.   He wisely picked Fort Lauderdale, Florida as his next port of call.  I love this project because I get to meet and be inspired by people like Marc.   I wish more young people had Marc’s insight into the world, … Read More

Mermaids

DougSteel Boat

Meet Alan Demsher.   Ok, well just his hand but Alan has offered his extensive artistic experience to create mermaids for Seeker’s bows.

Steel Sailboat Building – Catwalk, Lead, Rudder, and Dragon

DougCasting, Catwalks, Foam Sculpture, Rudder, Steel Boat

About LEAD — Comments about how DEADLY lead is will be ignored. Seeker is about assessing facts and making our choices. Rational Precautions for Working with Lead — It is most dangerous to the developing brain, so women who may become pregnant and children are the most susceptible. — Transfer is commonly through dust ingestion. So have no food or … Read More

Pilothouse Layout

DougPilot_House, Steel Boat

Many many thanks to Monica and Charlie for giving us a starting point for the layout of the pilot house.  Frankly and this point I don’t see anything I don’t like. Open, roomy, sleeping for two. Maybe an island with some galley storage and a seat for the helm, but the more I look at it more I like it … Read More