On Friday February 25 2011... I visited Fletchers Boathouse on Canal Road Georgetown, Washington DC. I spent time with Dan and Ray talking about the boats. We looked at a boat built by John Beall in 1967. this boat is stil in rental service after 44 years... it is a special boat requested by a special person after all these years. it is marked "RANGE" on the inside of the boat. Brother Joe and I delivered 20 boats in 1973. alll of which are still in service. Joe delivered the boats and I still do not know how he got them through the tunnel. . the tunnel is under the canal and is only 6 feet tall!

Over the years, I have presented a variety of programs in different venues for building wooden boats. I have built skiffs at boat shows as demonstration, used by the promoters to draw people to their show.

I have presented a progran I call "Family/Team Boat Building" at several Maritime Musems, Science Centers, and other educational venues. This is probably my favorite program because of it's far reaching capabilities. I once had a mother and son team with no carpentry experience at all, and a deep division in their relationship. The 14 year old son dressed in Goth style told me to '&*#@% myself and leave him alone. At the end of the day he was in t shirt (sans Goth) and actively involved in the construction of his new boat! The mother was in tears as they took their new boat home with them, I may have worked up a tear myself!

I provide all of the materials in a pre cut mode to allow for the assembly in the 2 day period. I lift up team work as the focal point of the project.

The participants get to feel first hand the nature of wood and understand the renewability of the resource. The carbon footprint of the finished product is very, very low compared to any other medium used for constuction.

When wood boats were the only type available to the consumer, they were very inexpensive. . so maintenance was not done regularly. Fiberglass was introduced in the early 60's as "Maintenance Free". at only a little more in price. Now we know that fiberglass is not only costly to take care of but expensive! When they reach their limit in cost effectivness. . they are terribly expensive to dispose of. In our "abundant" culture, we are learning to be good stewards.

I can take the entire program to a personal residnce and the entire family/neighborhood can participate in the building of the boat or boats. . this can be done outdoors with certain reservations and costs, or in a 2 car garage.. .Kits are available for shipping worldwide

The process and procedure I have for constucting plywood boats is perfect for third world countries that have exhausted their forest available for local traditional boatbuilding methods. It is easily exportable with small and lightweight packges of pre cut material and supplies. Working with local builders, there is little language barrier, and I can tech the process in a short period of time for repetition. Generally the boat design I pride is more stable and functional than the local boat. . ut can be adapted on site for local needs... I can also provide training for trainers.