John's boat notebook

And more shop. . .

2009-11-03T09:36:00.000-08:00

More shingles, and soon the lumber/boat shed extension . . . and soon, a real door for the boat side of things.

More shop

2009-10-27T11:03:00.000-07:00

There's a boat in there, nice and safe and waiting until all the house-building subsides and we can work on her.

Finally, the shop

2009-10-27T06:40:00.001-07:00

We're working on it! For those of you who have been to Brooklin in recent years, you may have seen the shell of our studio/shop to be, complete with well-aged Typar and plastic windows. No more. We're finishing off the building, and adding a shed for lumber and boat storage. We'll be all done and ready for visitors by next summer. . . if not before.

Many shingles. Latex sure isn't real [boat] paint, but this stuff at least covers well and dries fast, even on a fall day.

The kids helped with the first bundle of shingles, then they found something much better to do. We had the crew dig a couple of trenches on the way out so that we could build some better soil for the trees and shrubs to be planted here next spring. Then it poured for a day and a night. Looks like whatever we plant will have to like wet feet. Doesn't get any better than this: fresh dirt plus tons of fresh water equals lovely clean squishy perfect mud.

And two happy parents happily staining shingles while the kids squelch and splash away.

Building an Ellen 12 in 4 minutes

2009-10-02T08:10:00.000-07:00

And you thought it would take months.

Check out the video.

Great job!!

About those 12 1/2 plans . . .

2009-08-05T08:17:00.000-07:00

As I write this, John is applying ink to one of the drawings for the Somes Sound 12 1/2. We are in the process of expanding our office into what was our small (very) house in West Brooklin and the place is a complete disaster . . . all except for John's drawing space. The Somes Sound plans are our first priority. We'll let you know the publication date, but it won't be long now. Thanks to all who keep asking about them, you've been more than patient!

(And yes, we only let him off the chain for a little food now and then, and the occasional essential break.)

Our new website is finally launched!

2008-01-11T12:00:00.000-08:00

And, like many new vessels, there are few things that will have to be done at the dock or on the mooring. But she's floating, and she'd love to have some folks take her out for a little tour around the harbor. Please stop by!
Our new web address: www.brooksboatsdesigns.com.
We'd love to know what you think. Thanks!

Somes Sound 12 1/2

2008-01-01T15:25:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our new blog. Since we've had quite a few inquiries about the Somes Sound 12 1/2, the boat that we'll be building in a new two-week WoodenBoat School class, I thought we'd start with that.

The Somes Sound 12 1/2 is a completely new design, a descendent of the Herreshoff 12 1/2, just as the Haven 12 1/2 is. It was designed from the start for glued lapstrake construction—and excellent handling and performance.

Specifications: length, 15'9"; waterline, 12'6"; beam, 73"; draft, 18"; displacement, 1,389 lbs., sail area, 134 sq.ft.

For information about the class, please contact the WoodenBoat School.