Ok Russ, was that you following me at R2K last year??? You described me (and I'm sure many others) perfectly and yes, I am bringing a boat this year.

: Robert,
: Boats are funny creatures. You can write about them, but nothing can compare
: them like sitting in them. Boats are more then just a set of performance
: and ofset numbers sitting in the water. A boat choice is more then drawing
: a circle on a comparison matrix. That is part of it but you have to figure
: on methods opf building, types of water and trips you go on and....the
: thing that happens when you walk down the beach are drawn to one boat
: beyond all others try her out and then jsut have to build her. ITs the the
: one that tugs at your heart strings that gets ya building.

: If your looking at wanting to compare the various models side by side in the
: same water. I strongly suggest checking out the east coast or the west
: coast wooden boat Rendevous. The west coast Rendevous is in Port Townson
: WA and the East Caost is on Newfound lake NH. Both are coming up pretty
: quick which means ya don't have to wait 6 months to check em out.

: Walking the beach line up is really something to watch. I watched countless
: first time folks walk down the beach looking at a the possibilites and
: then get knocked out by the boat that said it all to them. They start to
: loiter, stroke the combing, admire the curves. Pretty soon they have the
: boat turned over and are looking atthe hull shape and soonest are
: shimmying into a spray skirt to go try it out....The folks building there
: next boats are in there sharing what they know. The designers are in there
: sharing their knowledge... Its a pretty awesome way to compare the
: specifics and the energy that comes off these boats.

: Besides getting to walk up a quarter mile of differnt boats and try out
: anyone ya want, you also can get a lot of good how to info and a lot of
: stuff to spark your own creativity about waht you like don't like etc.

: Ya don't have to show up with a boat. The desire to build one is all ya need.
: Beleive me you'll be back next year with a boat and more dreams.

: see ya at Rendevous
: !RUSS