MAYFLY 16

I am making sawdust again! The ripping has begun.
Mast, boom, yard, rudder and leeboard will be constructed first. When the hull is complete, it will be ready to splash, and not waiting for the other essential parts.

I had to make a couple sawhorses, and made them the same height as the table saw. It worked out great.

When I was in Houston, I had a good collection of clamps. I have to improvise this time. The poor man's clamp. They work pretty well, and cheap!

4" PVC cut into 1" lengths, then split.

Key West Sailing Community

I was feeling like something was missing in my life. but I couldn't put my finger on it. I had a good job, a wonderful boyfriend, living in a beautiful place... and then I went to Sail OK. I realized I really missed the whole building and sailing small home built boats. That is the void that I need to fill.

The other day, I was filling in at the register at my work. Along comes Walter, a member of the Key West Community Sailing Club (KWCSC). He was buying a wheel barrow handle... just one. I made a comment about just buying one, and he said it was going to be a tiller. That opened up the conversation about building boats. I shared with him that I had built a boat, and wanted to build another. He said I should come and join them at the sailing club. I politely said I would, but was hesitant. Don't know why, but I was. A few days later, he came in again.  Walter said they needed a "boat builder" at the club, and that there was a 14' sharpie he had built, but it needs some work. I asked what it needed. He said it needed to be sailed.

I dropped by KWCSC to look around. Walter was there so we talked a while. He showed me the boat he built, then asked where I was going to build mine. He pointed to the corner of the property where there was a covered work bench. He said he would like to see me build it there, and he would bring it up at the next board meeting. A few days later, I received an email asking me to attend the board meeting. I did attend, and the proposal for my build, was passed.

I tend to be very organized, sometimes to a fault. Before I start my Mayfly 16 build, I made a copy of the plans, so I can cut it into sections and make notes on it. I don't want to mess up the original plans. I have put them all neatly into a notebook, along with an envelope that will hold all my receipts.

I will document this build as it progresses. It will go slow for a while, because there isn't much daylight after work. Most of the work will be done on the weekends.


I'm excited about this! There are a few changes that I will make, but only to the cockpit. I want it to be comfortable and every space used wisely. I will keep in mind the needs for a week-long adventure that I may happen to participate in... maybe in 2016 on the Texas coast.

Thanksgiving in New Jersey

This year, I spent the Thanksgiving holiday with Chuck and his family in New Jersey. This was my first time that far north, and my first time with his family. Yes, I was more nervous about this adventure than I was crossing the Gulf a couple years ago. However, this adventure was a lot more calm and relaxing.

New Jersey's climate was a bit colder than Key West, so I did buy a coat for the trip. I didn't see snow, but I did feel below freezing temperatures.  

We made a couple trips to Atlantic City. The weather was nasty, so I didn't get to enjoy the boardwalk. I've been to Las Vegas a couple times... if you've seen one casino, you've seen them all. Although, Bally's Wild West had some pretty amazing murals in one room.

Things I learned on this trip:

1.  It is illegal to have a radar detector in Virginia.

2.  If you carry a gun in New Jersey, you go to jail.

3.  You can play 2 1/2 times as long at a $10 Black Jack table, as you can at a $25 Black Jack table.

4.  New Jersey is famous for their diners.

5.  The Philly Cheese Steak really is better in Jersey.

6.  Buy the 5-hour energy drink before you get on the road, not every convenience store carries it.

7.  Just "breath" and it will be okay!