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(Updated 04-Mar-05)

About Buildboats.com

I started boatbuilding in 1995 when I happened to pick an issue of WoodenBoat magazine while I was on vacation in Holland, MI.  I was entranced by an articl about Frenger and his sailing canoe.  Sailing through the Carribean.   I was also amazed at all the classified ads for boat kits and a plans.  My first project as the Ken Brown desinged Lark 8 stitch and glue kayak.  (I need to find those of pictures and post). I purchased those plans from ClarkCraft.  I learned quite a bit from that first project.  I made my first loaf brick of polyester resin when I tried to mix up to large of a batch, probably with too much catalyst. I did complete the Lark 8, she was a great little boat that I paddle for about 2 years. I used it for fishing some small lakes in western PA. 

My second project was "Spartan", the Jim Michalak double paddle canoe, Toto.  It's really good paddling boat that was great fun to build, and I have some pictures posted on this site.  Spartan was built exactly to the plan and is featured on several websites that display many of Michalak's designs, as the prototypical Toto. 

My third project was the Stevenson projects Skipjack.   It's a bit of a long story but the boat was never finished, (a bit of a shame because of the progess that was made).  I have a project page here as well, plus the neat picture of my twin boys Cameron and Cullen, when they were about 2 years old (they are 9 now).

Then I took some time off from building and went through my refurbishing stage.  Over the course of the past 6 years I have refurbished a BlueCrab, ComPac 16 "OhYa", and MFG19 "Wasting Time" and most recently a Chrysler Mutineer, "Stars and Stripes".

This site started on AOL in 1997, and has been relatively inactive through 2003-2005.  I was reminded by Chuck at Duckworksmagaizine.com that is one of the very first sites for home boat builders.  Over the years I have received many emails and projects from builders all over the world.  I am again at a point where I can get this site up and moving again.  I will be cleaning up the links and will request that anyone who has a boat project that they would like to have listed to please email me at mailto:contact@buildboats.com

I have many links to the old site; I will contact those sites to have my links updated.  Please pass the word and let’s build some boats…

Which brings us to date and my current project the TriLars.  There are two main reasons I selected this project.  The first is my boys and I now have kayaks (the plastic kind that are good for kids just learning).   Which was working great until my daughter Katilin, now almost 6 decided she really likes camping and wants to join us.  I needed a paddle boat that I can double date with her, but I also miss my sailing.  The TriLars sail rig hopefully will fill that bill when I get the chance to get out on my own once in a while. 

Also over the course of the next year to 18 months (today being 23 Feb 2005) I would like to attempt to have a messabout here in Raleigh NC and/or a boatbuilding weekend where individuals and/or families could experience boatbuilding.  If you have any interest in participating or sponsoring such an event please let me now.

Thanks,
Tom Raidna – The Home Boat Builders Page – www.buildboats.com