we received a very special New Years gift from PT 11 builder Cassie McDermott. It was a really nice email and a pdf attachment from 10 year Milo, for whom she built the boat. She concluded her letter thus:
"I knew that your boat changed our lives, but I didn't realize just how much. I am overwhelmed and feeling completely blessed for what you and your boat has brought our family. In the end, it's not just a boat."
I thought it would be fun to have a photo contest this year.
It could result in a really nice calendar.Winners could choose from puzzles, mugs, T-shirts,(printed with their winning photo), or other prize options yet to be decided.The PT Skiff at the festival, by Ashlyn Brown
Overview:
Categories: Scenic, Action, & Project
Photo Quality: Maximum! (300dpi or more) JPEG format
Orientation: Landscape(horizontal) is best but if you have a Portrait oriented photo that you just love, send it in!
Photo-shopping:You can enhance photos but please no montage.
Judging & Submissions: Please have your pictures in by August 1st, 2015. Late entries might still be considered. Russell and I will be judges this year. Submit photos to ptwatercraft @ gmail.com. (no spaces)
planing PT 11 by Ashlyn Brown
Parameters detailed below along with details on all of the above.
Details info as of 1-4-2015
Scenic: Where are the beautiful places and moments you are using your PT11, Spear or PT Skiff? Part or all of the boat should be a part of the picture in some way but the scenery can be the primary subject.
Action: Like it sounds; sailing, rowing or motoring in lively conditions and locations.
Project; Can be humorous moments during your project, celebrations, launchings, artful personalized details incorporated into your boat, etc.
the quiet before fireworks on the 4th of July, by Ashlyn Brown
Orientation: Landscape. I can crop for vertical if we have the opportunity to use it but in most cases, especially for calendars, Horizontal landscape orientation works best. My intention is to create really nice quality calendars.
Photoshopping: If you have a good photo program and like to play with your pictures, why not, but within reason please. We are seeking natural beauty in settings and human moments of experience. Montage of photos is not acceptable.
Judging: This year Russell and I will be the main " judges." As this idea evolves, details may change somewhat. We both love photography and we both have a different perspective about what makes a really good photo. I can also do photo refining if you send a raw photo that you believe has merit but you do not have a way to straighten horizons or other needed corrections.
Parameters: We are looking for pictures that everyone can enjoy, whether they own one of our designs or not. Most people can agree what kind of pictures are creative and inspiring. After all, it will hang on your wall for a month at a time. I believe that anyone who chooses to spend their time in nature, appreciates its beauty and those who like to play in boats appreciate the excitement. I also like the idea of a portion of calendar sales as a fundraiser for a good cause. Good participation will make this a success, and then we will indeed choose a cause carefully.
Example: The following photo is just an idea of how a dramatic moment in nature can include one of our boats. In this case, the PT Skiff in the shadows.
SUBMISSIONS should be sent to PTWATERCRAFT @ gmail.com. (no spaces)
Scarfing Basics is the latest 'how-to' book by Russell, since publishing Epoxy Basics in 2013. These books do not come into being casually. Every photo requires a good subject and what presented itself in the shop in between 'business as usual' this summer was scarfing. There are often 'how to scarf' questions online and a wide range of opinions shared that can sometimes cause more confusion than real help. The builder is still left to pick and choose how to proceed. For Russell, "strong, clean, and accurate" are the words of the day. This book describes the methods he prefers, in direct, concise language and large color photographs. While there are multiple ways to scarf plywood and lumber, this book is a great place to start and/or perfect your scarfing skills. Amateur and professional woodworkers alike will find a lot of good information and tips in this book for Cutting and Gluing, Strong, Straight, and Clean Scarf Joints in Plywood and Lumber, including making your own jigs for table saw and router.
The book is currently in its final proofing stage and will be available as an ebook first, and as a print book in late January from Port Townsend Watercraft.
Brian in Australia has completed his PT Skiff and I think there is much to consider about what he has done with his boat. After developing sensitivity to epoxy, he had to hire help to finish the boat and we tip our hat to his perseverance. Clearly Brian is a stickler for detail and he has maintained a clear vision for his skiff. He sent a detailed account of his choices for outfitting the boat and it is this account that I want to share. I have put it together as a PDF document (HERE) that you should be able to download or read online. It is filled with photos to compliment his notes. If you are currently building a PT SKIFF, these notes will be informative. If you are thinking about building one, this should wet your appetite! His boat is very impressive!
In addition, the following photos arrived with this 'Launch report"
My PT Skiff launch went extremely well today. Everything worked. The photographs attached were taken during the initial 15 minute warm-up of the motor at the boat ramp at Adelaide Sailing Club. Whilst it looks very calm at the ramp (large breakwater), we ventured out into wind waves up to 1 metre in St Vincent’s Gulf. The wave fetch here is approximately 38 nautical miles from the other side of the gulf with the wind in a WSW direction. I have checked our weather website tonight and the wind was 11 knots gusting to 14 while we were doing stage 2 of the motor run-in (2000 to 3000 rpm). The boat was lively. Whilst it is quite tender at the dock, once you understand that you can deal with it. We went upwind for about 20 minutes. The boat was reminiscent of a lively sailboat. The boat was bouncing around a little into the wind waves, though it was dry. The boat was very pleasantly quiet even in the one metre waves. After flooding the water ballast tank, the boat was a little more stable, but did not show any significant loss of speed into the breeze. Running downwind (again limited to 3000 rpm) the boat started surfing the waves. It was fun. The first 1 hour of run-in is now complete and I can now use the boat at weekends without causing queuing problems at the ramp.
Here is something that has just about all of our boating friends talking, scheming, dreaming, and even a few actually preparing for... After watching this video, which I find to be the perfect play on the multi-million (and 'tough-sailor-dude') sailing event videos, even I have fantasized about doing this.... well...maybe in another life... if I come back as a 'tough-sailor-chick' 😉 ... Check it out HERE.
One of the sponsors, Pocket Yachters, holds a 'mini' boat show every year here in Port Townsend. They have a great website with really nice photos and if you want to be inspired or like to gather and play in small boats with others, see their website HERE
September 5-7th were the days of the 38th Annual Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival.
This year was unique for us due to having a relative fleet of PT 11s on hand; 8 or 9 PT 11 dinghies could be seen over the weekend of marvelous sunshine and sailing breezes, tethered behind their "motherships" in the harbor or out in the bay among so many beautiful boats!
A PT 11 chasing Vito Dumas and sister dinghy the PT Spear on the leash..
Joining them was our own PT 11 captained by Cooper Parish.
Cooper in our PT 11 chasing Scott in his International 14
Cooper (who currently works for Scaled Composites) has built a PT 11 at the NW School of Wooden Boat Building. Many of our friends and customers share our deep appreciation for innovative aircraft as well as boats. We love the following picture Cooper sent to us earlier this summer, (wearing a Port Townsend Watercraft hat!) and we love having his help at the festival!
Cooper in..."one of the rocket motors from Space Ship One... Representin' PTWatercraft!"
As usual, I did not get out and about to take more pictures. The reason, I am pleased to say, is that our display maintained a virtual flood of visitors and our team (including my wonderful sister, Dana) was happily kept busy showing off 2 PT Elevens (one on the stand and one for rowing demos), and a PT Spear, (generously loaned by Mr. Swantner).
Our display next to WEST SYSTEM
Our tent hosts, the smart folks from WEST SYSTEM EPOXY, were on hand with expert epoxy advice, interesting props and informative booklets. This year’s festival was also special and memorable due to having our dear friends, Kathy Massimini & Steve Callahan here. Steve was a guest speaker for the festival. If you have not read his book Adrift or don't know about Steve, you've missed out. See his website HERE.
Steve & Kathy
You might already know about Off Center Harbor, and all of the really well done, interesting videos they offer on a wide range of boating topics. We were honored (and pretty camera shy) to receive an interview request from the OCH team. Filming took place right after the festival and the video will be available sometime in the future. Thank you Steve Stone and Off Center Harbor!
The fine weather inspired more boats to be out sailing for the entire three days than I have ever witnessed in my 5 years of attending. The final ‘Sail-By’ was quite spectacular. If you missed it this year, mark your calendar for the first weekend of September 2015 and keep an eye on the NW Maritime Center website for events over the year.
Please enjoy a small album of pictures I took during the Festival.
Layers of boats in the harbor at Point Wilson
Visitors study the PT 11 nesting dinghy
Capt. Cooper in PT 11 chasing Vito Dumas and sister dinghy the PT Spear on the leash..
Virginia V joining the sail-by.
rowers in the longboat from the NW Maritime Center.
PT 11 keeping up with SV Vito Dumas
Outrigger Jr chasing the PT 11
longboat hoists sails
Cooper in our PT 11 chasing Scott in his International 14
First sail for Mr. Kuntz and a friend at the Wooden Boat Festival in Port Townsend
Painted sail from the Community Boat Project (http://communityboats.wordpress.com/)
visitor taking the PT 11 for a row
On the water and on the beach
Maneuvering in a full harbor,
perfect ‘still-life’ opportunity
wood and flowers
There be treasure at the festival!
we know who is in charge on this boat
Off Center Harbor filmmaker, Steve Stone films the PT 11.
taking a boat wake in stride
Some videos of this years' festival are on You Tube. This is a particularly artistic slide show. HERE
Many of you already know about EPOXY WORKS magazine, a FREE publication from Gougeon Brothers Inc, that is sent out twice a year. Issue #39 for this Fall of 2014 reviewed Russell’s EPOXY BASICS on the back cover!
Issue 39 of Epoxy Works
This is a huge bonus for us and many of you have proven that! We had such a run on books within days of the magazine landing in mailboxes, that I have been kept busy sending them out. I want to thank those of you who had to wait with faith and patience for your back ordered copies. THANK YOU!
So why did Gougeon Brothers do such a nice thing? All I can say is that we are thrilled. Our relationship with Gougeon Brothers/WEST SYSTEM, is based on our long history and trust of their products, through which a lasting friendship has emerged. Russell’s nearly constant work with epoxies over the last 40 years has given him many opportunities to try various brands. His livelihood has depended on very refined composite workmanship and building lightweight, tightly engineered parts and craft. Many experiments, challenges, and successful projects have lead him to trust in one epoxy in particular; WEST SYSTEM.
The Gougeon brothers have an fascinating history and the company maintains an expert team unafraid to ask questions of themselves and the products they represent. In the spirit of doing what is right, ( yes, they do carefully consider environmental impact), full time scientists continually test every imaginable epoxy related scenario and tweak their products to best serve their customers of many industries. Their loyal customer base depends not only on having the best physical properties and workability in their epoxy, but also on knowledgeable customer support. The full time tech support staff at WEST SYSTEM are, in that down-to-Earth, humble, mid-western way, generous with their knowledge. If they don't have an answer for you right away, they will find out, and get back to you, even if it takes lab testing. All this greatly benefits the casual epoxy user as well.
Calling the company during business hours (phone #1-866-937-8797) will not reach an automated phone system.... Nope, a real person will answer and politely direct your call... I know... hard to imagine these days.. Can you tell we like these folks? I hope so. We have the highest respect for the people in the company and the principles on which they base the production of excellent products; integrity being far more important to them than fancy marketing. Working with the folks at Gougeon Brothers/WEST SYSTEM, is always a pleasure. Such person to person relationships, with friends, customers, and business associates, rank high on my list of things that make life meaningful. For a well written article about the Gougeon brothers, see: GOUGEON. G-O-U-G-E-O-N GOUGEON by Dan Spurr in Professional Boatbuilder Magazine Issue #125, beginning on page 36. You can buy the issue HERE: Also, coming soon in WOODEN BOAT MAGAZINE ; an article by Jim Brown called, "Catching Up With Meade Gougeon".
Enjoy Pictures recently received of boats launched this summer or boats in use. I love the new colors added to PT 11's; now sporting blue, green, sunny yellow, mellow yellow, cream, red, white...have I missed any? Beautiful!! Keep those pictures coming! What do you think about a photo contest???? Let me know and I will work on prizes to offer. 😉
Milo in his PT 11 that he and Cassandra built. See more on this project on another post called " Builder Spotlight 9/14" by clicking the photo.PT 11 "Forget me knot", Built in Maine and launched this summer. Photo by owner.PT 11, 'Forget Me Knot' in New England.Built by W. Frost in Renton WA. Photo by owner.PT Skiff almost ready for launch. Note the solid aft floor soles. We think it looks fantastic and see this as the future standard for the PT Skiff. The owner also installed self bailing. We look forward to more pictures! Located in Australia. Photo by ownerShiny green paint job by Mr. Kuntz of Sequim, WA. photo by ownerPaul's green PT 11 was launched at the Boat Festival this year in Port Townsend. Mr. Kuntz was able to leave it at the dock on display with the rig up by removing the batons and rolling the boom up in the sail. Click the photo to read about the Festival this year, 2014.Joy enjoys a sail in her PT 11, 'Patos" T/T "Dromen"."Patos" in Desolation Sound. photo by ownerPatos nested on the SV 'Dromen'.Patos and Dromen in the marina. Photo by owners.Mr. Mc Cormick's PT 11 in California.Joe taking all the gear ashore."Rowff, Oneff, twoff, rowff"PT Spear, 'Rascal' seen in front of Port Townsend. photo by Ashlyn E. BrownOwners enjoy an evening row in 'Rascal', a PT Spear. Photo by Ashlyn E. BrownExploring the San Juan Islands in a PT 11 and a PT Spear. photo by Ashlyn E. Brown
