Hi John,

Well I almost have a fishing boat! I figure I have about another two or three weeks of finish work on my 15' Power Dinghy. I have decided to wait until next year to build and install the seats in the boat. I live in the Desert and it is really heating up, preventing me from working in my garage much longer this summer.

I plan on taking the boat up to my favorite fishing spot located in the Eastern Sierras just outside Bishop, California. We rent a cabin up there for the month of August, and spend the time camping, fishing and just relaxing. This year we are very excited about running the boat as well.

I have to say that your plans and the project as a whole went together as you described. I figure if I can do it just about anyone can build a beautiful and functional boat with the ease at which your plans walk you through the project.

I have just purchased a Mercury four stroke 15 hp outboard for the boat and went with a Trailer-rite trailer. I did place the boat in my pool just to confirm that "yes" it would float, and was happy to find that it sat up perfect in the water. I am very anxious to get onto the water with the motor attached to see how it planes out and handles.

I have enjoyed looking at your web site at all the other boats that you have displayed, this gave me a lot of encouragement throughout the project.

Though I started reading about building the boat a lot sooner I actually started cutting my strips in January of 2001, and feel that I should be able to complete it (minus the seats), by July 2001. I cut my strips from 2x6x 16' redwood decking planks and trimmed the boat with Mahogany , the Gunwales are also Mahogany. The Decking is 1/2" Birch plywood supported by 2x6 and 2x4 and filled with flotation foam.

We had a "boat turning over party" and my friends helped me turn it over. (You wouldn't believe how much beer it took to get that boat turned over!!) And this week I will install the keel and the brass trim.

The most challenging part of the project, to this point, was finding all the deck fittings. I went with polished bronze for the bow eye and transom eyes, and bronze oarlocks. I finally found them from an outfit called TenderCraft Boat Shop, in Canada. They were very helpful in fulfilling my order. I went with System Three epoxy, and at the start was very apprehensive about working with it, but after a few times mixing the stuff became quite comfortable with the process. Amazing Stuff!! The Mother of all Super Glue!!

Again I have to say that your plans were superb, I had a little trouble with the conversion from the 12' to the 15' power dinghy, but a call to you and a few e-mails I was on my way! Thanks again for your advice and your prompt response to my e-mail.

You will be hearing from me next year, my dad wants me to build him a Canoe.

Thanks again for all your help.

Todd Goodwin