Comments on: Jim Schroer

By: Christopher Cunningham

Christopher Cunningham — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 13:33:38 +0000

In reply to Elliot Jokelson. Jim did not make plans for the boat and its cabin. They evolved as he built them.

By: Elliot Jokelson

Elliot Jokelson — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 19:04:56 +0000

Did Jim make plans for this boat? I’d love to build a scaled-down version myself but don’t know where to start. I would have loved to met Jim. Sorry for your loss, may his memory be a blessing!

By: Tim Jennings

Tim Jennings — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 19:40:55 +0000

I’m only now stumbling across this article as I had somehow messed up my subscription. I’m really happy that Bill’s life and boats were finally written about. I met Bill in September of 2022 when I bought a Rangeley guide boat from him. I had driven down from New Hampshire, and he graciously showed me around his shop, which was filled with exquisite canoes, all well cared for. For me though, the highlight of the tour was the JAYCEE BODIE. Once Bill and I got talking about camping on the water, he realized that he had inquired a few years earlier about buying my 21′ Hudson Bay freighter canoe, which I had rigged with a sleeping cabin. We more or less had the same ideas about camping on the water, so I was thrilled to see what he had come up with using a jon boat hull. I won’t forget that sliding stool in the cabin, which made moving about a cabin with little headroom quite efficient. You could see results of years of experienced, trial-and-error tinkering all over that boat.

Sher and Zoey, my heartfelt condolences to you. I suspect that your lives were made all the more interesting and exciting with Bill steering from the stern. Thank you for sharing your story.

Tim Jennings
Enfield, NH

By: Trevor Astle

Trevor Astle — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 16:28:39 +0000

You have had a very interesting life. Love the john boat, an adventure in itself!

By: Sher Schroer

Sher Schroer — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 19:49:05 +0000

In reply to Gordon Crain. Thank you for that lovely comparison. :)

By: Gordon Crain

Gordon Crain — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 13:56:14 +0000

Thank you (and Sher and Zoey) for this wonderful story. Much like Anke and Dave of “Mustelid”, it is the story of a chosen life; and a life well lived.
And the outboard fire pit may have to become a feature of my skiff build.

By: Adam Beckta

Adam Beckta — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 11:09:09 +0000

In reply to Curt Lynn. Check out the Jim Michalak design Campjon or Hapscut.

By: John Buhrmann

John Buhrmann — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 03:00:30 +0000

What an inspiring story! Thank you for sharing it with us.

By: John Haley

John Haley — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 12:49:04 +0000

So the camper jonboat sure is intriguing. Reminds me of Gartside’s recently published 16′ shanty. I find myself looking at larger craft so I can bring along friends and family, but realistically I most often find myself solo. And I am fine with that. And if I am overnighting it is even more likely that a craft such as this is perfect. Thank you for the article. I appreciate seeing others thinking along similar lines.

By: John Nystrom

John Nystrom — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 17:23:52 +0000

Wonderful story, this one will be read more than one time. I’ve long been fascinated by the idea of a large jonboat with a cabin, like Jim Michalak’s Campjon. 20′ might be more to my liking. Wonder if I could manage the Great Loop by watching my weather and sea-states when crossing the big waters? (Yes, I know it sounds crazy.)