Stealing a Herreshoff
When Paul Austin sent me this piece he described it as humor. But that does not really cover it. Other adjectives that come to mind include whimsical and wacky. But it is a good read.

Building the Ladybug
You can learn a lot from Murray Stevens. He know that life is short and that you have to make the most of it. He also knows how to build boats. It's hard to believe this was his first one.

First Annual Texas Proa Championships
I'd be surprized to learn that more than two proas had ever sailed together in Texas before this. Kevin O'Neill organized this major Proa event and put together a nice article about it.

Jagular Gets Rescued!
In Tom Pamperin's story of the capsize and subsequient rescue of his Bolger Pirate Racer, there are some lessons to be learned - but they may not be the lessons you would guess.

Pushpoles
I am always amazed at the cleverness, common sense, thoroughness and humor that Rob Rohde-Szudy brings to his monthly columns. Even if you don't need a pushpole, read this.

Jim Michalak's Newsletter
We are big fan's of Jim Michalak's designs and like to let you know when there is a new issue of his newsletter. His essays are always worth reading.

• January Letters

A Fall Sailing Story
Pamlico Sound is one of the best cruising areas for small boats and John Welsford's Pathfinder is one of the best small cruising boats. Iin this story, Steve Earley enjoys the best of both.

FoilCuts - sketches and text
Cutting a foil section from a wood blank is an intimidating proposition. Here, Tom Hamernik breaks the process down into easy steps that anyone can follow.

A Boat for the Texas 200
As a school teacher, Dan St Gean has limited resources, but as soon as he heard about the Texas200 he was determined to come. In this story he discusses his options and final decision.

Bridget 82
Christer Byström has been sending us reports of his boat designing and building adventures for years. Read his report on a new boat that uses an Optimist sail, rudder and centerboard.

Of model shipwrights and just sailors of model yachts, and sometimes the twain doth meet!
Mark Steele's wonderful monthly potpouri of model boat news.

Strider - A Mirage drive powered, two person launch
Chris Ostlind is a clever guy - if that is an adequate word to describe someone who can design beautiful boats that perform at the highest levels and yet can be built by any amateur.

River Runner Update

• January Reports

A Canoe for Mornings on the River
You would expect Max Wawrzyniak to bring some clever solutions to any problem and you would be right.  Read what happened when he decided to reduce his CO2 footprint.

Montgomery 17 Joinery
I always imagine what it would be like to do a fancy refinish job on the interior of a boat like a Montgomery 17, but I never have. Stacy Smith has, though, and he did a really nice job.

Kincrome 90mm Block Plane
Tools are expensive - so we are always looking for bargains. In this timely article, John Welsford shows you how a few simple steps can make a cheap block plane much more useful.

Oracle in New Jersey
Jim Michalak is known for easy to build boats that give up nothing in terms of performance. Ted Kilsdonk built Jim's Oracle and rows it in New Jersey with his two sons.

Setting Copper Rivets
In order to build his Pete Cullar skiff, Mike Norris would have to set copper rivets. But he wanted to do as much of the work as he could  by himself so he developed some special tools.

• January Webwatch

Helping Build the Goat Island Skiff - Part 3
In this final installment, Gary Blankenship and Olivier Chamel finish the Goat Island Skiff and take her sailing. Gary was good enough to include several interesting video clips this time.

Tool Review: Alinghi Sailing Knife by Wenger
If you are looking for the perfect Christmas gift for the sailor who has everything, Chris Ostlind has a suggestion. This sailing knife by the Swiss Army Knife folks is loaded with quality.

Homemade Anchors for Weedy Bottoms
It can be difficult to anchor on a shallow, weedy bottom, as Rob Rohde-Szudy knows too well. Having made his own anchors before he came up with one that works well in weeds.

10 Years Ago in Duckworks
Readers: We are taking a few days off and while
we are gone, we invite you to enjoy these articles
from the early days at Duckworks. 

I Won't Abandon You
I am still frightened for Dejan Petrovic when I read this short, gripping story.  Keep in mind that Dejan is in a wheel chair due to a degenerative muscular illness. Read about his boat too.

Make Things Happen
I think Mike Green's article was the first to depart from the nuts and bolts of boat building and enter the waters of boat building psychology. Think you can't build a boat? Oh yes you can!

The Lone Ranger
I think this was the first submission and the first article in Duckworks that was not written by me or Sandra. Jim Millington wrote about building his Ranger 16 from Paul Fisher Designs.

Micro Making in Montréal
We all owe something to Phil Bolger for designings boats that can be buillt by amatuers. Peter Lenihan built a Micro and was fortunate enough to have it blessed by Mr. Bolger himself.

Building Gill
Even though our offices are in Texas, the nature of the WWW is that it brings folks of similar interests together no matter where they live. Antoine Baillie shared his Bobcat from Switzerland.

• December Letters

E-Phib
Ken Simpson, the designer of the clever Toter series of take-apart boats has focused his attention on an amphibious electric vehicle. He tells us that there will be plans available one day.

Two Seat PVC and Duct Tape Kayak
It is always nice when a boat that starts out as a lark, ends up being successful. That is what happened to Daniel Glick and his dad when they built a boat from PVC plastic and duct tape.

• December Splash