In this episode, take a look over our shoulders at the building and launching of MUSTELID. Each boatbuilding project has its own challenges of time, space, contextual, and financial constraints. Paper is cheap, but it can sail us no farther than can our armchair. To get on the water, we must build.
We are “low-road” builders. We meet challenges armed with a small box of mostly hand-tools. We’re handy, but not masters of craft. We’re shoe-string operators and scavengers but debt-free and able to budget. We benefit from modern, gap-filling adhesives but favor lower-tech and common materials. We build simple and robust structures, but let handsome be as handsome does.
Who builds their own vessel must be able to persist. Heads down, put-in-the-time persistence that plods on and around every obstacle. As you’ll see, we are living proof that success is in reach of those who persist.
What a great video. Very fun to watch!
Interesting project. Enjoy watching your progress. Been over a year and a half on my own project boat. Soon to finish (as if a boat is ever truly finished). You are correct, that it takes persistence and hard work. Good luck on all your endeavors.
This is a delightful series! It’s fun to see folks having fun and fulfilling their dreams!
I am enjoying your reporting of your adventure. Thanks for sharing it with us. I have poked around S.E. over the last 30 years. That leaves me curious for where your Admiralty Island boat building site was.
Hi Dan,
Sorry for the late reply!
We built both WAYWARD and MUSTELID near the southern tip of Admiralty in Murder Cove at the old cannery site of Tyee (once a whaling station and later a salmon cannery), which is one of three private inholdings in the S Admiralty Wilderness Area. The Bell family is building a lodge there, and they currently host a program for at-risk youth.
We filled in there for a few winters as caretakers, and were kindly invited to build on the property.
Look forward to running into you!
Dave Z