: Aleut inspired design: Rob Macs
: Builder: Bill Cruz
: Completion date: 3/31/04
: Launch Date: 4/7/04
: Length: 18 feet 3 1/4 inches
: Beam: 22 3/8 inches
: Weight: 43 pounds, +/- 5 pounds
: Name: Ubi Caritas Et Amor Deus Ibi Este, "Ubi"

: At last, I can post a message under the "launching" catagory! This
: project has been a wonderful undertaking, from ordering the plans in March
: of 2001, to this most recent launching. While three years is a very long
: gestation period, it is true, as one of our fellow KBB contributors notes
: on his web site, that the time it takes to completion depends on how much
: is devoted to contemplation. I contemplated every cut, every strip, every
: "glue" very thoroughly before actually cutting stripping or
: gluing. Taking a six month haetus also added to the gestation period. Yet,
: I'm glad I took my time, and this event of launching is more meaningful
: for it. Some particulars regarding this project: This was my third wooden
: boat project. Practical experience and the availability of left over
: materials had a great effect on the adaptation of various inforamtion and
: the materials used. Most of the wood came pre-milled by Peter Schultz, of
: Classic Boat Kits. Some was milled by the crew at Newfound Woodworks, as
: they provided materials for our canoe (Freedom 17/9 on their website). I
: used MAS epoxy as filler and seal coat for smaller less obvious
: applications, System Three general purpose epoxy for bigger more prominent
: fills and seals, and Clear Coat resin and hardener for most fiberglass wet
: out applications. Information came from many sources; Rob Macs'
: instructions, the works of Ted Moores, Nick Schade, Susan Van Leuven,
: Chris Kulchinski, John Dowd, The Babina Brothers, and the instructions put
: out by Pygmy Boats with their Osprey class touring single sea kayak. Many
: of you here on the KBB have also made a huge contribution to the success
: of this project. I was the primary builder, but a couple relatives and a
: few friends also had a hand or finger in the completion of
: "Ubi". In particular, my uncles; Rick and Lorenzo Cruz, my Mom's
: neighbor Rudy, and my friend from Schooner Boatworks, Gus. Construction
: began on my dining room floor and basement, moved to my Mom's garage, and
: finished up at the Schooner Boatworks shop. With "Ubi"
: completed, the future expeditions are possibilities to be planned. Future
: building projects are in the works. I want to complete our family fleet
: with a skin on frame double sea kayak for our children, based on the
: Greenland designs of Robert Morris. I'm also collaborating with my fellows
: at Schooner Boatworks, a group on Guam; the Traditional Seafaring Society,
: and a designer in New Zealand, Gary Dierking, to build an outrigger
: sailing canoe based on traditional Chamorro (People and culture of the
: Mariana Islands in the Pacific ocean) design.

: For this Aleut expedition single sea kayak, my deepest gratitude goes to my
: wife, for her understanding, support, and patience, as I obsessed over the
: birth of this boat, Ubi Caritas Et Amor Deus Ibi Este.

: Thank you all for your encouragement and knowledge, and support. You are my
: friends. Even though we haven't met in person.

: Sincerely,
: Bill Cruz
: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

: P.S.
: A suggestion should you follow the link to the "slide show". Set
: the duration between pictures at the fastest speed available and pause for
: more detailed viewing. There are eighteen shots to go through, and some
: may be more interesting to you than others.

: Please return to the KBB here, to make comments. The bulletin board will
: automatically inform me of your message, where webshots.com does not.
getting ready to build a baidarka. it will be my 4th yak i have built. NICE WORK