Betcha can't build just one (or three) . . .

After hemming and hawing for the past several months, I've decided to build a new boat!!  I'm very happy with my stitch and glue Point Bennett. It's a great boat for paddling but I really want a play/rolling boat as well. I built my SOF Disko Bay for that purpose but am finding the boat, while great for rolling, is not the most "playful", i.e., it tracks like a train on a track and turns just as easy!!!!  I'm thinking I'm a bit big for the Disko and I never took the time to scale up the plans to accommodate my size!!

So, the job is determine what boat I'd like to build. And I've decided on the Black Pearl by Björn Thomasson, a Swedish designer.

Image courtesy of http://www.thomassondesign.com 

The boat is described as " . . . a long, low and narrow kayak of east Greenland ancestry – extremely easily handled, instantly reacting to shift of weight, leaning etc, and with enough secondary stability to support leaned turns, balance brace and such. It is very easily rolled."

The beauty of the Black Pearl is that Thomasson requires a variety of body measurements so that he can custom the design/plans for the individual, ensuring a kayak that properly fits!!! I just took my measurements, submitted them online and now must the plans via mail.

I was a little hesitant about starting a new boat as I thought Cheryl would think I was crazy. Tonight I decided to raise the matter. She didn't even bat an eye when I said I was going to start a new boat. Her first question was "Is it a strip boat?" I must add that Cheryl is enamored by the beauty of some local strippers (boats, that is) and has expressed a desire to have one. I replied that "yes", the boat is a strip boat BUT it will be painted black!! Her interest waned at that point but at least she didn't question my sanity on the whole matter.

So now I must begin the task of preparing the attic for construction, start collecting the necessary building materials and get my head around the whole build process.  Oh dear gawd, what have I gotten myself into . . .  AGAIN???