I built this cabin on a slope above the South Fork of the Sauk River in 1980. Most of the materials I used were salvaged from demolition jobs I did or purchased at junk yards. The aluminum sheets I used for roofing were offset lithography plates for a book about the Umpqua National Forest. It made for interesting reading while I nailed them on the roof. The main floor was devoted to shop space; I slept in the attic above and cooked on the workbench.
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You were a resourceful and intrepid young lad Chris! Impressive.
Not knowing a lot of folks who boatbuild off the grid, I’m imagining that few of them would take the time to bookmatch the deck planking. Quite the story, and only the beginning for that sneakbox.
Huzzah,
Skipper and Clark
Inspiring! I really enjoy your stories.
I loved your story even though I think you may be just a bit crazy! Oddly enough, I grew up in Edmonds and now live on Lopez Island. Would love to see your boat sometime if you’re still up here!
Thanks, Lyn. The sneakbox and I moved from the cabin we rented on Hooterville Lane and we’re now in Seattle.
Have to take my hat off to you. Well done. I know how it feels applying glass and epoxy in restricted spaces having built a trimaran.
Sounds like you have had an amazing life. I wish I would have discovered small boats before I discovered cars.
Good work. Fiberglass scares me—more about screwing it up than about health issues. Did you have to read the litho plates backwards?
The plates were for offset lithography so they were right reading. They get inked and then transfer the ink to a rubber “blanket,” which is reversed, and the blanket prints the ink on paper.