Paul Gartside – Designing & Building Small Boats
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Episode Summary
One of the biggest decisions facing a first-time boatbuilder (or any builder) is which design to take on. In this episode, host Rich Hilsinger is joined by Paul Gartside, a prominent designer of fine wooden boats, to look at a handful of designs that are both practical to use and rewarding to build. The decision of which boat to build, we learn, involves a balance of utility, efficiency, performance, construction technique, materials, and good looks.
Will the boat be used in salt water or fresh water? Will it live on a mooring for the season or be launched from a ramp on each outing? Will it be for day use or extended voyages? In what climate will it be used? Are the materials for its construction readily available? What are the shop-space requirements? Will it fit the builder’s budget? What are the sailing rig options? The list of questions goes on and on, and each answer will refine the choice of boat.
Also included is a discussion with Steve Brookman, who recently completed the construction of a Gartside-designed 22’ double-ended sloop.