Another Boat Without A Shelter

It all started with the gift of a 1959 17' Thompson Sea Lancer in December 2007, its restoration, and its first season on Lake Superior among the Apostle Islands.

Over the years I've built dozens of cedar strip canoes and rowing boats. Most were sold, a dingy is still in use behind our schooner, and several became gifts.

At last count we've rebuilt:

1. A 1960 vintage C - Scow - used hard for 5 seasons then cut into little pieces.

2. A 34' homemade (by someone else) motor sailing dory - used on Lake Superior 2 seasons then cut into little pieces.

3. Then a 1939 schooner - said to be the oldest sailing vessel on Lake Superior - which we've sailed on the Big Lake for nearly 20 years.

Maintaining wood boats of any age is always a challenge, both in time and money. And the activity either brings satisfaction or doesn't. I enjoy brushing on eight coats of varnish on one of my boats. And I like the glances of appreciation strangers display when they see that varnish job.

But then golf - the smacking a little ball about in an effort to place it into a little hole in the ground - is to me a foolish waste of time, money and common sense.

Anyhow.

I wasn't looking for another wood boat.

But son Scott was offered a classic runabout - complete with a trailer - for free. I had a heated garage/shop and no winter projects planned. Did I say it was free?

And as a result, when Fall was about to become Winter, I had Another Wood Boat Without A Shelter.