: Wow, just goes to show you how contrary to intent, my words are
: taken. I am sorry.

: I have been a teacher for many years, and my intent is to help
: people do the best job, have fun, and make it easy to build
: their boat.

: I love boat building and enjoy seeing the enthusiasm and the great
: job people do building their boats, on this BB. The bottom line
: is having fun.

: People need to know when something they are doing is dangerous,
: like sanding green epoxy without protection.

: For many years I've been building strippers, over and over again, I
: love it so much.
: I've learned new things every time I build a new boat.

: The things that don't work become clear.

: I know if there is a part of building I don't enjoy it's because
: there is a problem unsolved. And when I've taken the time to
: think about the problem and come up with a solution, that
: doesn't create three new problems, it makes the whole job easier
: and fun. It has to be if I'm going to do it over and over.

: Take sanding for instance. It seems so simple, is essential to
: strip building and most people hate it. Very few people
: understand sanding.

: I've worked in cabinet shops, with furniture makers and with
: contractors and most of them didn't know how to choose the best
: sandpaper or a power tool for the job.

: I was taught how to sand 40 years ago by a jeweler.

: If you use the right tool in the way it was intended it's fun to
: see quick positive progress. That's how work should be.

: So, when I see people struggling and doing things that are going to
: create a problem they don't foresee, I'd like to help. That is
: my only intent, because what is more fun than sharing something
: you love to do.

: I am an old guy, and I know I've wasted a lot of time, doing things
: that seemed like a good idea, but turned out, not so much.

: I am addicted to making things. I enjoy making everything. The list
: of all the different tools and materials and things I've made
: would take a long, long time to recount. Boats are only a drop
: in the bucket. I say that not to brag, but to express that I've
: learned to value and appreciate expert advice whenever I can get
: it.

: I know every tool, every job, has tricks of the trade. I get a big
: kick out of learning these tricks, because it means I have a
: success every time. I don't have many years to waste. At 60, I
: just got my first full suspension mountain bike (used) and
: researched the best books on MTB repair, so I could fix it up
: and get it running better than new.

: So, tell me how I can give you advice, so you'll learn to have more
: fun building, without sounding condescending.

: I've heard it said, "that women take advice as helpful
: concern, and men take advice as a insult to their manhood."
: I'm beginning to believe that.

: You said,"the tone of your post was overly harsh and
: unnecessarily condescending."

: I was consciously trying to not offend, by using the Nick Cage
: movie analogy and by saying, "I don't want to have you take
: this personally, but I think there are a few potential problems
: with this."

: And: "Maybe that's okay. If it works for you, I have no
: problem with that."

: I find it hard to see that as harsh.

: I guess I'll just say less.

: Rob

Hi Rob, In my opinion you were "not" condescending but trying to be funny, also as a octogenarian at 82 and still making mistakes I find no fault in the "old" statement as a newbe I am very much adicted to your web site as much as this one and thank you for your
contribution to this web site and to kayak building please keep us informed. Best Nick R.
statement