RE: [Paddlewise] Proud Pappa of a New Strip Built Boat

> At 08:29 AM 3/9/2004 -0500, Rick.Sylvia_at_ferguson.com wrote:
> > > That's beautiful work!  How long did it take you?  Enjoy!
> >
> >Thank you, and I have three answers for the question.
> >
> >
> >Second, it took about 400 hours, which is at least 100 hours too
many.
> 
> Actually, I've heard "400 hours" frequently as an answer to "how long
will
> it take to build a cedar strip kayak".
> 
> Given that you're not going to build a cedar strip boat in a weekend
or
> two
> I don't think one can put a figure on how many hours it should take.
It's
> a long process and IMHO trying to speed build a kayak would likely
cause a
> builder to burn out on the building process.

That's all pretty true.  John "is" a boat builder, and he built the same
boat I built, so he knows what I was up against.  Before I started, I
heard that an acceptable average would be between 300-350, with some
builders saying closer to 400.  I also heard of some builders who did
their first boat in less than 300 hours.

I say "100 hours too many" referring more to my rookie mistakes that
cost me time, than what is an "acceptable" amount of time. Had I not
done some bonehead stuff, I could have saved myself 100 hours, but, I
wouldn't have had the learning opportunities that ultimately will make
me a better boat builder.  So "100 hours too many" really means "I cost
myself 100 hours in mistakes".

There are lots of variables related to what is a "normal" amount of
time.  
Building hatches take more time than not building hatches.  Carving your
own seat takes longer than buying a seat, and fancy artistic features in
the wood take more time than not doing anything artistic, and many
others.

So, John is right that it's tough to put a figure on how many hours it
should take, but I think I can say that if I don't repeat my mistakes, I
can do the next one in 300 hours.  The unknown is what new mistakes and
learning experiences I'll encounter that I didn't plan for.

That said, the next one is for (and with) my 15 year old daughter, and
she wants us to strip a dragon into the deck.  While I now know "how" to
do that, it will still be a tedious process to get it detailed and
correct.

Regardless, IT'S A HECK OF A LOT OF FUN!!!!!! And, a GREAT sense of
satisfaction once it's done.

Rick
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