: Phil,

: As a builder who would love to achieve your level of workmanship, I am
: obviously always looking for a way to be critical of your boats. The best
: I could come up with is you seem to have left behind the idea of your
: boats ever being put in the water. If a boat isn't going into the water is
: it still a boat?

: I think I understand your reasons for going the way you are going, and
: kicking and screaming I am starting to agree with it. But, I would like to
: get your reaction to the criticism that you are no longer building boats
: if they don't go in the water.

Nick, Every boat I build is built with the idea that it will eventually see some water. In most cases they would not be the only canoe that the customer owns. Many people own two or more vehicles. If a fellow owns a Bently Continental, he most likely owns other vehicles for everyday use. The Bently would be used on occassion and very carefully. If mud roads were on the days agenda, out comes the SUV. (Oh yes, if you know the fellow with the Bentley, send him my way!)

I also assume that once one of my canoes have become an heirloom, and the original client who ordered and paid for the boat is dead and gone, some teenage grandson will take the boat down to the nearest lake and thoroughly enjoy himself. He will be the lucky one for he will get to enjoy all the beauty of it. I myself can put literally hundreds of miles of paddling on a new boat and sellit 6 months later as still new. It takes three or four minutes of extra time at the put in and take out to keep it in show condition. For just banging around with kids, Pl.. Pla.. Plast... Plas... Darn. I have a hard time saying it. Not a wood boat! Just today I looked at a $399. chopper gun glass canoe by Indian River. The problem with building museum quality boats is that I can no longer afford to keep one for myself.

Great web site Nick!! Lots of interest. When my new site is up and running I'll see about a link. It should provide additional inspiration. All I have now is the hard copy brochure you saw at the Show. A lot of builders have been posting it in their shops as a pin-up. I guess a poster should be next?

Phil Greene, Wood Song Canoes