Boat Building Courses

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but I'm in awe of the likes of Nick 'Getting Afloat' Gates and would love to have a bash

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Not sure I follow the embarassment bit though - perhaps I've overlooked something ?


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Oh dear Newbie - was that the sort of bash you had in mind? Better not get downwind of Ocean Pearl any time soon /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Yes...............very droll dur.............thank you.

However, if pursuit is to take place afore the wind, I'm confident of making good an escape in my Tiki 21. Hurrah for Mr. Wharram !!

Jonte
 
Dear Jonte, not a bad day in the office....just RSI and a nagging shoulder from a dy with a block plane........
Indeed I do enjoy creating things, always have and hopefully always will. For example today I finally cracked the 'design' for a remote linkage to a fuel valve, and I am really looking forward to tomorrow when I will make it-max time 2hrs, or the owner will wince!!

I am happy to say.....touch wood.... that I am the proprietor, and we have been on a 6-day week since January, I have just taken on another (Ex Hillyards) boatbuilder, to try and make a dent in our 6-8 month lead time, so I must be doing somthing right. Competitive rate, excellent quality, and hard work might have something to do with it.

But I digress from agreeing with you that there is a joy in making things. The value of a course is that you find out how easy it is to make what you want because you are taught the correct, quick techniques.

So, go do a course, and if you are any good I'll give you a job, and then you can pander to my sycophantic whingeing as well!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif If your really lucky, I'll show you my shortened finger too /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

ps, I'll race your Wharram any day!
 
Touché, sir!

I’m flattered that one so apparently revered by other contributors to this forum (including myself) would even afford me the courtesy of a reply, never mind the kind offer a job, no matter how tongue in cheek, following the earlier ‘bashing’ I gave you – thanks again ‘dur’ for pointing that out. You’re obviously a good sport.

Alas, Seanick, that opportunity, I fear, shall never present itself, for, if the past 48 years of my existence has been anything to go by, it’s a darned sure bet that I’ll be as hopeless at boatbuilding as I’ve been at all the rest of life’s challenges requiring dexterity, hand-to-eye coordination and, oh yes……skill!

Hopefully, if nothing else, one’s sheer blind enthusiasm should assist at least in going someway to completing something as inconsequential as an elderly GP 14 or it’s ilk – provided, of course, I remember to include a bucket for the benefit of the hapless fool that should ever seek to put to sea in it!!

But, rest assured Seanick, I shall never allow my enthusiasm or passion for boat building to delude me into thinking that I could ever be of an appropriate standard demanded of those privileged enough to occupy a position with such a distinguished company as yours. Which is a great shame.

Anyway, I’m simply not as photogenic as you celebs so I’d be no good on telly !!!!

I think I’ve eaten enough humble pie now.

So, hope the shoulder improves soon and I’m extremely pleased to hear that you’re continuing to prosper.

Thanks once again for getting in touch and for your kind words of encouragement.

Best wishes,

Jonte

PS……………..You’re welcome to enjoy the experience of the Wharram anytime!!!
 
Jonte,
Not aimed at you, but it is easy to make assumptions when checking the bio would give the correct info. ie. You have told us where you are based, putting it in your bio might have prompted forumits to tell you about local stuff without asking where you are. Checking Seanick´s site is very informative.

As you are doing it for the experience rather than the bread, bare in mind that the RCD prohibits the sale of amateur builds in under 5 yrs from first use. So restoration is probably the way to go.( I notice that rule is being ignored by some in the UK)

Not to discourage you, but the ED. in CB once said, don't learn boat-building, go and earn lots in the city (it was an old quote!) and employ the few that the industry will support.
Bit tongue in cheek, but in these times might be more true.

As said, get the basic wood skills and find a small boat, rough ones are virtually free. You will certainly have a lot of fun. Having done that, you will certainly know what you want next.

A
 
DownWest

Dear A,

Thanks for the 'heads up' and valuable advice.

Will update my bio as you advise; however, concerned that once you discover I'm actually Fred Goodwin, all future correspondence will cease!!

Best wishes,

Jonte

PS........sincerest apologies for the misnomer in my previous.
J
 
Jonte, I've been called worse... For some reason my last post was put up much later than I typed it, so a bit out of sequence .
I will have to google Fred Goodwin, he seems to get mentioned a lot, TV cook perhaps?
Andrew
Out in the French sticks..
 
Hi Andrew

I shaln't spoil your research by giving you the answer here, but let me put it this way: he's more akin to one of those city fellows in the quote you made reference to in your earlier post than a TV chef.

Of course, the real difference between Fred and Messrs. Stein, Ramsey & co. is that he's not quite as well off!!!

Finally, Andrew, I think we've all gone as far as we possibly can with the somewhat 'contentious' subject of boat building courses so just in case there are no more respondents/contributors to my initial letter and we've finally 'dried up' may I just take this opportunity to extend my sincerest thanks to all my friends who a) bothered to read my letter in the first place and b) then took time to respond and share their first hand knowledge of this highly skilled industry with me. I am most humbled and grateful.

I shall now sign off safe in the knowledge that if by some extremely remote and strange quirk of fate I should ever be good enough to be considered anything remotely resembling 'shipwright', I'll be joining a select and very generous group of people.

Jon.
 
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