: I notice you're moving in on the bunnies now. They can't be too thrilled
: about that! The boat sure looks nice. Why is the cockpit opening so big?
: Are we taking all the neighbor kids out to the snow launch in Dec. and
: giving rides? If you haven't lately, go back and take a look at the first
: group of pics you took before starting the rebuild just to appreciate how
: far you've come.

Hey, the bunny likes it when I work on the yak. She has access to the garage and comes in to be with me whenever I am working in there. Also, I tend to give her a treat (usually lettuce from the garden) when I go in so she is trained to show me some love. The large opening is for the wife. She has spinal injuries that would make trying to enter a normal sized cockpit impossible so I am hoping the enlarged opening will make it easier for her to get in.

I have looked back to see how far I have come and man almighty, what a go it has been. When I got the deck pieced back together I called the wife in to have a looksie. I had a huge grin and an immense sense of satisfaction to be able to show it off.

: My fingers are a shredded mess this morning after spending the whole weekend
: drilling little holes and threading and twisting little pointy ended
: copper stitches in the boat. I'm worried about stitching up the ends. It's
: getting awfully crowded with all those stiches and not much room for my
: fat fingers to get in there. And God help me if the boat ends up twisted
: and I have to undo any of that stuff. Panels 1,2,and 3 (6 total) along
: with the bulkheads are together now. Spent about 15 minutes just looking
: at the curves at the bow and stern of the hull. Sure looks pretty. Anyone
: know where I can get some leather finger tips?

While I was tying the bow and stern ends I drilled the holes straight through so I could push the wire straight through. Pre-drilling the holes makes it a little tough to tie the ends easily. I learned that with the first yak. I had teh torn fingertip syndrome, too, when I was tying the wires. Can't avoid it, I guess, but I am willing to bet a sewing store has some sort of finger cot that could be used, even a cheap thimble might work. I actually like the wrecked finger tips: who else would have them but a wooden boat builder? That, to me, is a mark of pride. Wear your scars with honor, friend Paul, it isn't just everyone who can build a boat with his/her own two hands. Hey, I'm wondering if we should ask everyone to show their hands with all the battle scars obtained from boat building. Any takers out there?

Robert N Pruden