The gunter sloop rig can point well into the wind and is easy for one person to sail.
Retirement can be hazardous to your health, but you can improve your chances of staying mentally and physically healthy by keeping happily occupied after you leave your job. Buzz Menz of Middleton, Wisconsin, started planning his exit strategy a decade before he retired: “I decided to build three boats to keep me busy, thinking that 10 years would be plenty of time. The plan was to start with a small row boat, then a larger sailboat, and finally a weekender type of sailboat.” By the time he brought an end to his career, he’d be ready to sail off, hale and hearty, into his sunset years. He had worked with wood for most of his life but knew that boatbuilding set a higher standard. “A boat is a different animal altogether, and considering it is the only thing between you and the sea, potentially holding your life in its cockpit, it is important to build it right. One of my biggest challenges was knowing when a particular construction detail was good enough.”He liked the look of Steve Redmond’s Whisp, a 15′ 7″ sharpie skiff for oar and sail, ordered plans, and began building. He’d previously built a strip canoe, but that experience didn’t prepare him for the more challenging work required by the Whisp. “I was starting to have some doubts about my chosen path to retirement.” Enrolling in a boat building class taught by Karen Wales at the Penland School of Arts and Crafts, in North Carolina, boosted his confidence and he learned that even with boatbuilding’s high standards, perfection was not only unattainable, but an impediment to progress. Each step has a point at which it is good enough and it’s time to move on. After the two-week class Buzz returned to the Whisp and finished it.
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Comments (12)
I can fully appreciate and understand your experience. To me, building a boat is a most satisfying experience. You did a beautiful job; now it’s time to start building another boat.
A beautiful boat. I have had the plans (original ones) for many years, but have never started building. I’m wondering how the motor well and the 2.5hp motor are working out. What is your judgment so far?
Really nice work. Your plans are my plans exactly. I live in Delafield, Wisconsin. I got my hands dirty with my first build, a Chesapeake Light Craft tandem wherry which I have enjoyed rowing on many of our state’s lovely lakes. I’m currently 3/4 of the way through the build of my 2nd boat, a scratch-built Welsford Navigator that I’m rigging as a gaff yawl. I plan to camp cruise the Apostle Islands and perhaps do the Everglades Challenge in her. Now I’m beginning to daydream about what my third build will be. Perhaps an Atkin Ninigret, or maybe a 20-something foot pocket cruising sailboat? A big difference between us: I didn’t have a lick of experience in woodworking before starting my first boat and it has been a very steep learning curve acquiring both tools and skills for this hobby!
As a point of clarification: Shouldn’t a Caledonia yawl have a mizzen mast?
The plans I have for the 4-strake Caledonia yawl that I built has three sail plans: “Foresail & mizzen rig” with a balanced lug main, “Gaff yawl” with main, mizzen and jib, and “Sloop rig” with a gaff main and a jib but without a mizzen. I presume the three sail plans are included with the plans for 7-strake version.
Christopher Cunningham, Editor, Small Boats Monthly
It can go either way—with or without. The plans give several rigging options for lug/yawl and sloop. I liked this best for less rigging to deal with while sailing and better pointing.
Good lord, that is one beautiful boat. You’ve done yourself proud. I’ve seen pretty ones before, but this is just amazing. What a great article!
By the way, if anyone, like me, is interested in building a Caledonia Yawl, there’s a terrific 42-part, step-by-step, video series with Geoff Kerr on http://www.offcenterharbor.com. It takes you from what tools you need all the way to launching. Good stuff.
Our team at Bayles Boat Shop in Port Jefferson, New York, is in the late stages of a Caledonia yawl build and about to install the stern deck over a motor well. The boat owner has selected an electric motor with solar charger. I like the idea of utilizing the under-deck area for storage. I also like the way the lines are led aft in the cockpit. Nice work, enjoy your retirement.
From builder Buzz Menz:
“I’ve noted no expansion or buckling of the deck in the 3 years the gunwales have been attached. It deck is coated in epoxy so the moisture content should remain fairly stable regardless of temperature and humidity. The cherry I used had been in a garage attic for 30 years so it was pretty well dried out and seasoned.”
Jim Forrestal
I can fully appreciate and understand your experience. To me, building a boat is a most satisfying experience. You did a beautiful job; now it’s time to start building another boat.
Already am working on a cedar-strip 16′ row troller. I hope to have it on the water later this year.
Thanks, Buzz
Stunning work, congratulations she’s certainly good’nuff……
By far the best looking Caledonia I have seen. Very nice work.
A beautiful boat. I have had the plans (original ones) for many years, but have never started building. I’m wondering how the motor well and the 2.5hp motor are working out. What is your judgment so far?
Really nice work. Your plans are my plans exactly. I live in Delafield, Wisconsin. I got my hands dirty with my first build, a Chesapeake Light Craft tandem wherry which I have enjoyed rowing on many of our state’s lovely lakes. I’m currently 3/4 of the way through the build of my 2nd boat, a scratch-built Welsford Navigator that I’m rigging as a gaff yawl. I plan to camp cruise the Apostle Islands and perhaps do the Everglades Challenge in her. Now I’m beginning to daydream about what my third build will be. Perhaps an Atkin Ninigret, or maybe a 20-something foot pocket cruising sailboat? A big difference between us: I didn’t have a lick of experience in woodworking before starting my first boat and it has been a very steep learning curve acquiring both tools and skills for this hobby!
As a point of clarification: Shouldn’t a Caledonia yawl have a mizzen mast?
The plans I have for the 4-strake Caledonia yawl that I built has three sail plans: “Foresail & mizzen rig” with a balanced lug main, “Gaff yawl” with main, mizzen and jib, and “Sloop rig” with a gaff main and a jib but without a mizzen. I presume the three sail plans are included with the plans for 7-strake version.
Christopher Cunningham, Editor, Small Boats Monthly
It can go either way—with or without. The plans give several rigging options for lug/yawl and sloop. I liked this best for less rigging to deal with while sailing and better pointing.
Good lord, that is one beautiful boat. You’ve done yourself proud. I’ve seen pretty ones before, but this is just amazing. What a great article!
By the way, if anyone, like me, is interested in building a Caledonia Yawl, there’s a terrific 42-part, step-by-step, video series with Geoff Kerr on http://www.offcenterharbor.com. It takes you from what tools you need all the way to launching. Good stuff.
Our team at Bayles Boat Shop in Port Jefferson, New York, is in the late stages of a Caledonia yawl build and about to install the stern deck over a motor well. The boat owner has selected an electric motor with solar charger. I like the idea of utilizing the under-deck area for storage. I also like the way the lines are led aft in the cockpit. Nice work, enjoy your retirement.
One more thought, I noticed your deck is edge-glued shoulder to shoulder. Did you leave space along the gunwale for expansion?
From builder Buzz Menz:
“I’ve noted no expansion or buckling of the deck in the 3 years the gunwales have been attached. It deck is coated in epoxy so the moisture content should remain fairly stable regardless of temperature and humidity. The cherry I used had been in a garage attic for 30 years so it was pretty well dried out and seasoned.”