an infrequent repository of mostly new stuff
Christmas Day and today both warmed above 70 degrees. Another coming midweek. I’ve lost count, but that’s more than I remember in my lifetime.
While T napped and read on the porch swing, Doug and Jenn and I took the kayaks to Hatton Ferry and floated down the James for a few hours.
Saw one jonboat in the distance, briefly; otherwise, we had the river to ourselves all day long.
Not natural, but glorious even so.
Finally getting around to posting this. T’s first paddle in her new skin-on-frame kayak designed by Dave Gentry.
Dave himself helped me build this boat. It weighs all of 25 pounds. Very easy for a small person to launch and paddle.
Thanks, Dave!
Can you build a whole boat in two days?
Apparently you can. I had no idea.
Dave Gentry designs small skin-on-frame boats. There are lots of boat designers out there – some living, many not. Many beautiful boats out there, big and small. Most require a large investment in both time and money to bring into the world. But Dave has found a particular niche: His forte is to turn a small pile of wood and materials into a fun boat, with as little money and effort as possible. And he’s very good at it.
You can see all Dave’s designs on his website at:
gentrycustomboats.com
His plans and kits can be ordered through Duckworks here:
Duckworks – Plans and Kits by Dave Gentry
A few weeks ago, we met Dave and his daughter over at the local reservoir to try out a couple of his paddling boats. T had shoulder surgery early in the summer, which put a crimp in our canoeing schedule. I knew one of Dave’s light weight designs might be a boat she could handle on her own until she gets her strength back. A form of physical and mental therapy, and way more fun than the exercises the doctor prescribed.