Boatbuilding
Another passion of mine! Make your own boat ! I’ve allways loved being in and on the water so I decided to make my own surfboards and boats over the years . As I have all the tools needed for doing my craft as a harp builder it leaves it easier to get into making canoes and sailing craft. There is plenty of information available on design and the various forms of construction. I’ve tried making surf boards from polystirene foam and covered them with glass fibre and epoxi resin .It is a very messy and unhealthy procedure and great care has to be taken regarding safety.They turned out very well however and gave me many hours of great fun on the sea and lakes around Ireland.
Next to the canoes .There’s nothing like shooting rapids or paddling down the river in your home made canoe .The construction I use has been used in Ireland for a long time and is still used in the traditional curraghs you see all around the coast. It’s simply thin wooden lats fixed to oak ribs and traditionally covered with canvas.This is then treated with tar to make it water proof. For my canoes I use glass fibre for a skin instead as you can hit some rocks in the shallows without doing any damage.
The picture is of the last one I made, it’s 18 feet long and can take two persons. I made it last year at the Art in Action festival held every year the June bank holiday at Towney Hall near Slane in Count Meath.It’s organised by the Philosofical Society of Ireland and encourages artists of all diciplines to show their skills.The visiting public gets a chance to take part in all kind of classes and it’s great fun! You can see some amazing works of art being created.
I’m allways open to an offer to make a boat ! It brings variety to the working day.
If you’re involved with sea scouts and would like me to show your members how to build their own boats give me a call.We can work out a shape and size to suit the requirements.
Check out WWW.trimcanoeclub.ie .They’re based in Trim County Meath and give courses in a safe environment with qualified instructors.
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