History of Skiff Building
You don't have to look hard to find details of the bigger boats that have been built here in Maine. It seems less apparent though to find details of the all important fisherman's skiff. I'm not talking anything fancy here............... No lapstrake, mahogany trimmed and varnished craft, just plain old utility grade cheap. Exactly what the average (of 30 years ago) Maine fisherman would build or buy to get to and from his boat. Today's fisherman seems more inclined (and able to afford) bigger, often fiberlass and now outboard powered skiffs sending the old plywood rowboats down the same road as the wooden lobster trap. I hate to see the old traditions lost.
Struck by the same feelings of traditions gone by, Bob Lane and Dynamite Payson have taken the lines off of several old working skiffs in an effort to record their history. I've often admired the drawings and thought of building a couple just for fun. When it comes down to it though it takes more time and more money than I've wanted to blow to put one together. Well, an opportunity arose that could alter the time and money ratio.
One of the older (gasp, same age as me) fishermen in Spruce Head was telling Dynamite he'd like another 9-1/2' skiff just like the one he'd built for him 30 years ago. Since Dynamite is only building models these days I jumped at the chance to have a go at the boat when he asked if I was interested. Turns out it wasn't one of the designs detailed by Bob and Dynamite but Dynamite still had the patterns AND the assembly fixture for it. Only thing is, the fixture has been sitting out now for quite a few years and the "other guy" that borrowed it made a few changes............. Still, how bad could it be?
You can see I've replaced several components of the jig. What you can't see is the gradual decomposition that comes with years of exposure to wind and rain and the unknowing hands of a well meaning friend that used it 15 years ago. NOTHING lines up and the side pattern doesn't even come close to matching the molds. I messed with it for a couple of days before declaring it a lost cause. Sorry to see it go but when the new jig is finished I'll have a base that will accept mutiple mold stations and I'll be able to build several different models on it by changing the molds. This one is headed back to the graveyard.
So much for an easy project.......................
Struck by the same feelings of traditions gone by, Bob Lane and Dynamite Payson have taken the lines off of several old working skiffs in an effort to record their history. I've often admired the drawings and thought of building a couple just for fun. When it comes down to it though it takes more time and more money than I've wanted to blow to put one together. Well, an opportunity arose that could alter the time and money ratio.
One of the older (gasp, same age as me) fishermen in Spruce Head was telling Dynamite he'd like another 9-1/2' skiff just like the one he'd built for him 30 years ago. Since Dynamite is only building models these days I jumped at the chance to have a go at the boat when he asked if I was interested. Turns out it wasn't one of the designs detailed by Bob and Dynamite but Dynamite still had the patterns AND the assembly fixture for it. Only thing is, the fixture has been sitting out now for quite a few years and the "other guy" that borrowed it made a few changes............. Still, how bad could it be?
You can see I've replaced several components of the jig. What you can't see is the gradual decomposition that comes with years of exposure to wind and rain and the unknowing hands of a well meaning friend that used it 15 years ago. NOTHING lines up and the side pattern doesn't even come close to matching the molds. I messed with it for a couple of days before declaring it a lost cause. Sorry to see it go but when the new jig is finished I'll have a base that will accept mutiple mold stations and I'll be able to build several different models on it by changing the molds. This one is headed back to the graveyard.
So much for an easy project.......................
