By Brian John Pollock. Victoria, Australia
You can hear the author reading this story by clicking the below arrow:
THE BEGINNING
I’ve built several wooden boats over the years, the last being a small dinghy in 2018, when I was a sprightly seventy-two. I’d dreamed of building a bigger boat, but it remained just that — a dream.
For seven years, I cared for my dear wife Lyn, who had a debilitating lung disease. After her recent death, I found myself with more time than I could ever have imagined. I decided to fulfil my dream and build another boat. My son Brad — an accountant with a cabinet maker’s soul — encouraged me to go for it. Now in my eightieth year, I figured it couldn’t be that hard … could it?
THE DESIGN
The design had lived in my head for years. I laid out the hull shape using bendy timber on my front patio, tiled like graph paper. It began well, but age had not been kind to my flexibility. I kept stepping in Towzer’s water bowl as I admired the setup. Retrieving a pencil knocked over a pot plant. Ten minutes of repotting later, I wondered if the ancient mariner ever dealt with such things.
THE TEMPLATES
Cardboard templates traced on the kitchen table proved tricky — my vision isn’t what it used to be. Even with glasses, I couldn’t mark the same angle twice. ‘Measure twice and cut once’ is solid advice, unless each measurement gives a different result.
MATERIALS
I scribbled a rough timber list and ordered specialist hoop pine from Queensland— $250 for delivery. That beautiful knot-free timber had no idea what was coming.
to be first in the boat.
I sourced other supplies from Bunnings. After wrestling a trolley free and wandering aimlessly, I asked a trainee for waterproof glue. He misspelled it on his phone and found nothing. I wished him luck and moved on.
An hour later, I’d gathered most items. On the way home, I debated whether IKEA or Bunnings was more annoying. IKEA still wins, but Bunnings is gaining ground.
The timber was delivered to the basement of our apartment. I had permission to use a second parking space for the build. The delivery driver asked what I was building. When I said ‘a boat,’ his face said it all. He muttered, ‘Looks great,’ and sped off. I’d love to hear how he told that story at dinner.
CONSTRUCTING THE ORIGINAL DESIGN
Brad made me two excellent work benches and loaned me a mitre saw. I started on frame one with confidence, but frame two didn’t match. The angle was off. My heart sank. Brad found an American design online — the Bantam 14 — that matched my vision. We bought the plans for over $300.
CHANGE OF DIRECTION
The plans were sparse. Brad spent hours deciphering the computer files. What was meant to be a relaxing project was fast becoming a stressful one. Still, I was determined to give it a go — such is my nature, even in my eighties.
CONSTRUCTING THE BANTAM 14
I began with a cheap plywood template for the transom. My new circular saw felt heavier than I remembered. My first cut wobbled. Then came the jigsaw. I couldn’t remember how to insert the blade. Once running, it bucked like a rodeo bull, spraying sawdust everywhere and leaving a zigzag trail behind.
ON THE ROCKS
Now only 10% in and $3,000 out, I’ve decided to abandon ship. It hurts — I’m not a quitter — and Brad gave so much support. But I feel relief. My epitaph should read: ‘He always turned up.’ I’d now like to add: ‘And had a go.’
