Working as the editor of Small Boats for the past nine years has given me the opportunity to meet, correspond with, and work with a lot of remarkable people from all over the world. Jim Schroer, who first emailed me on March 29 of last year, was one of them. In the subject line he had written the following: “Hi Christopher, launched in Feb. after 6 months work, still not done. I'm a reader and this is reader built. Is there a way to get the info to you without all the composing and typing? thanks, Jim.”While those few words didn’t say much about him, the photographs that appeared copied in the body of his email suggested Jim was a kindred spirit. The johnboat he had built for river cruising echoed many of the ideas I’d had for HESPERIA, the little camp cruiser I’d built with all the comforts and conveniences I’d dreamed of while on my earlier cruises.In our subsequent emails and phone calls, I learned that Jim and I had even more in common. We both had done long cruises in small boats, though he had done many more and continued even after getting married and having twin daughters. Our fathers were teachers and we both had attended the schools where they taught. We both had flown hang gliders, though he had become an accomplished and licensed flier and I could only claim to have gotten airborne, briefly, with bamboo, plastic sheet, rope, and duct tape. As an aircraft pilot, Jim had aspired to own a Stearman biplane, the trainer my mother had flown while with the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) in World War II.
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Elegance is design and craft, that paddle will blend with the elements vs working against them. Thank you for sharing stories from Jim and his family. And great photos too.
Cheers
Audrey and Kent
That paddle is an exquisite union of art and engineering. It would be entirely appropriate to hang it in a place of honor on your living room wall in between canoe outings.
And your tribute to Jim was touching and beautifully crafted, as well.
Touching comments for those of us past the seventh decade and, one might hope, meaningful for all readers of your essay as a nudge to being mindful of what matters.
“The blade’s black coating concealed whatever it is made of.”
As I recall, an earlier version (that failed) used corrugated poster/sign board with carbon fiber skins added. Failure of that paddle was due to shaft not being carried down far enough.
“And your tribute to Jim was touching and beautifully crafted, as well.”
I’ll 2nd that.
Your article “Brother Jim” brought a tear to my eyes, for he is my brother Jim. he made paddles that looked great and he played the five-string banjo. He was very diversified for he was a high school teacher, and drove 18 wheelers way back in the 70’s.
Thank you for the article,
Bill Schroer
A very moving article. I hope I have a few things to give away that will impact some lives in the future.
I already built and sold my 17-year project building an energy-efficient custom timber-framed home on a beautiful waterfront lot outside Whitefish, Montana. I don’t think the buyers will appreciate some of my details but I am still glad I did them. I built it as much for me as future buyers. Now I am building my last house and I am doing it my way. I also bought my “last boat” in June. I hope I still get a half dozen years to use it.
A very nice tribute to Jim and his craftsmanship.
Welcome to the 70s club.
In WoodenBoat‘s “Over the bar” column, I am amazed at the longevity of those who are associated with building, designing and promoting boats. ;0)
I had the pleasure of meeting Sher and her daughter. I now have the opportunity to restore
Jim’s version of Bolger’s Gloucester Gull here in Gloucester MA. Only wish I had the opportunity to meet and speak with Jim. I also welcome you to the 70’s club.