The Start

After seeing the PocketShip in the Chesapeake Light Craft catalogue when it first appeared around 2008, it has always been in the back of my mind to someday build one.  Lately I have been pouring over the numerous blogs on the building processes and stories.  The consensus has been from the blog authors is, beautifully written instructions, acurate plans, great support from CLC and a joy to sail.

My background comes from a sailing family.  Before I was born my parents won the International Highlander Championship in Perth Amboy, New Jersey.  My dad built sailboats, race cars, airplanes (model and full size) and anything else that moved. I spent many hours learning building technics from him.

I grew up sailing as a kid and spent my summers "inside the rocks" sailing my family's Sunfish on the Corpus Christi Bay.  I was not allowed to sail alone until I weighed 80 pounds.  Since then I have blown past the 80 pound barrier quite proficiently.  It has been many years since I have sailed. Recently I went for a sailboat ride at the local Wednesday night races (see photo).  I forgot how exhilarating sailing is.  I live on the Texas coast and need to take advantage of my surroundings...the water!

Photo I took aboard "Stupid Monkey".

I have built a couple of kayaks and learned a lot about fiberglass, epoxy and mostly about tedious sanding in their construction.  I found I liked building them more than paddling them, but sailing is much different from paddling. Time to build a Sailboat.

On June 23, 2014, the eve on my wife's birthday, my kit order for my PocketShip has been placed  and confirmed.  It is official, I am building a sailboat!

It will be about 4 weeks until my kit arrives so in the mean time shop clean up, organization, unfinished project completion and did I mention shop clean up will give me plenty to do.