It's been a long road from lines on the floor to boat on the water, and even longer when you include the background effort that started with envisioning this project, getting the syndicate together, tying it in with the MOY exhibit on S&S... on and on. Many more people than the ones you've seen pictured in this blog were responsible for bringing this project to life.
Most of the folks who worked on building the boat were recent IYRS grads. We're proud of this boat, but the fact that we ended up being more than six months behind schedule also drives home the lesson that as builders, we have a long way to go to become more efficient at this work. We've got the accuracy, but there's simply no substitute for experience when it comes to speed.
Taking Cherokee sailing begins the long process of making the boat just right for owners. It would be nice to have some sole planks that are slightly raised for traction when heeling. A few of the blocks could be set up at a higher angle for better jib sheet leads. Hanging net bags along the underside of the deck would be great for gear storage. The list expands off into the horizon like the Star Wars intro...
The first few races have proved that Cherokee can be a very fast boat, so I think she'll be genuinely competitive in the worlds this fall. Once the bridle is finished I'm hoping she'll be able to point a little higher than she currently does. Lots of time spent playing with different sail settings will help as well.
Here are a few reminiscence from the past year:
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Thanks again to the huge crowd that made this project possible. These folks are worth naming again:
Boothbay Harbor Shipyard for the lumber, David's time, and a way-beyond-the-call amount of background help.
The syndicate members who made this project possible in the first place. They have been the nicest folks anyone could ever build for.
The Museum of Yachting for giving us the space to build Cherokee, and for allowing us to impose on their volunteers for all manner of help.
The International Yacht Restoration School for loaning us a huge amount of tools, workbenches, and supplies, particularly during crunch times. Oh yes, and for training most of us!
The many people who took the time to drop by and lend a hand or a few beers after work. There's too many of you to list individually... ok, except Mike McCaffery who loaned us all kinds of tools and who always came through when we were in a bind.
And lastly, thanks to everyone who took the time to comment, ask questions, and generally contribute to making this online journal so rich. Thank you for sharing your own projects and extensive knowledge
As for us, we've moved on to other projects. Here's where we've landed...
David Stimson, project leader
David is back in Boothbay Maine, playing music with his wife and getting back to his old job as General Manager at Boothbay Harbor Shipyard.
Robin Oglesbee-Venghouse, lead shipwright
Robin has moved back to his native Portland Oregon and is currently building boats using the devil's own material, fiberglass. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers, folks.
Karl Cresotti, shipwright
Karl remains in Newport and is working with CR Scott on a new build of a Whitehall pulling boat. From time to time he heads down to the Mystic Seaport Museum to work in the blacksmith's shop.
Tom Daniels, shipwright
Tom has moved to Stonington CT, and is working as an independent contractor with the shipwrights at McClave, Phibrick, and Giblin in Mystic CT. They're currently restoring a 1912 Herreshoff NY 50. Tom will also be teaching 2 continuing education classes through IYRS during the summer.
Joel Sanger, shipwright
Joel is keeping with the metre boats, and is currently working on an 8 metre with Naragansett Shipwrights in Newport. He also teaches continuing education classes through IYRS.
Abe Stimson, shipwright
Abe and his brother Nathaniel spent the early part of the year building two small sailboats (designed by their father, David) for Pine Island Camp in Maine. Abe will be working as a head counselor at the camp this summer.
Jeff Dick, Shipwright
Jeff came down from Boothbay Harbor Shipyard to help off and on during the project. Among other things, Jeff built and installed the rudder. This was a huge task that required some skillful reworking of the installation procedure when we discovered that we couldn't dig a hole under the boat in the IYRS parking lot (a common rudder installation method).
IYRS Students who worked with us full time between their 1st and 2nd years in the program (and often afterwards as well)
Jason Baker
Jason is working with East Passage Boatwrights in Bristol, RI.
Max Petrushonis
Max is working in the boat shop of long-time Newport shipwright, Jim Titus.
We'll see you on the water!