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Re: Seeking: Why free plans only?
By:ancient kayaker
Date: 12/20/2013, 11:19 pm
In Response To: Re: Seeking: Why free plans only? (george jung)

As George says the cost of the plans are a minor item. In my case so is my time . . .

It all started ten years ago; I had a heavy fiberglass canoe that I didn't use much and a short dumpy plastic kayak that was fun but limiting. I helped a friend build a wood boat and wanted to experiment. I didn't at that time know there were so many designers and plans out there, so I put a couple of canoes together using really cheap material and my own designs. Each was paddled once, found wanting and either modified or trashed. It was an intense learning path and I found that I enjoyed the design process and was hooked on that just as much as the building. I also got hooked on the attention a wood boat attracts, I must admit. I don't sell my designs, each one is merely an exploration of an idea I need to try out; besides - I don't have the attention span or skill to prepare proper plans.

That said, outside of the canoe spectrum I often buy boat construction and study plans, a few get built, others are bought because I am still fascinated by the design process and seek to learn more. My library of boat books is also expanding slowly, and I borrow and lend books with other boat builders in the area; it is interesting to see what other folk come up with. As my Dad said years ago, when you stop learning you start to die.

Messages In This Thread

Seeking: Why free plans only?
Jeff Horton -- 12/20/2013, 7:09 am
Re: Seeking: Why free plans only?
ddaniels -- 12/20/2013, 7:45 am
Re: Seeking: Why free plans only?
Jay Babina -- 12/20/2013, 9:57 am
Re: Seeking: Why free plans only?
Jeff Horton -- 12/20/2013, 11:28 am
Re: Seeking: Why free plans only?
Noel Bennett -- 12/20/2013, 8:48 pm
Re: Seeking: Why free plans only?
John Messinger -- 12/20/2013, 5:38 pm
Re: Seeking: Why free plans only?
george jung -- 12/20/2013, 10:33 pm
Re: Seeking: Why free plans only?
ancient kayaker -- 12/20/2013, 11:19 pm
Re: Seeking: Why free plans only?
Bryan Hansel -- 12/24/2013, 1:26 am
Re: Seeking: Why free plans only?
Bill Hamm -- 12/25/2013, 12:22 am
Re: Seeking: Why free plans only?
Bryan Hansel -- 12/25/2013, 9:42 am
Re: Seeking: Why free plans only?
Andy Waddington -- 1/8/2014, 7:01 pm
Re: Seeking: Why free plans only?
ancient kayaker -- 1/8/2014, 11:26 pm
Re: Seeking: Why free plans only?
Andy Waddington -- 1/9/2014, 4:51 am
Re: Seeking: Why free plans only?
ancient kayaker -- 1/9/2014, 10:48 am
Re: Seeking: Why free plans only?
Andy Waddington -- 1/10/2014, 1:04 pm
Re: Seeking: Why free plans only?
ancient kayaker -- 1/11/2014, 11:16 pm
Re: Seeking: Why free plans only?
Andy Waddington -- 1/12/2014, 3:06 pm
Re: Seeking: Why free plans only?
MattGeerts -- 9/10/2014, 4:55 pm
Re: Seeking: Why free plans only?
JohnAbercrombie -- 9/10/2014, 5:20 pm
Re: Seeking: Why free plans only?
MattGeerts -- 9/10/2014, 6:11 pm
Re: Seeking: Why free plans only?
Mike Bielski -- 9/10/2014, 9:54 pm
Re: Seeking: Why free plans only?
MattGeerts -- 9/11/2014, 12:48 pm
Is "giving" bad or suspicious?
Jay Babina -- 9/11/2014, 10:51 am
Re: Is "giving" bad or suspicious?
Mike Bielski -- 9/11/2014, 11:19 am
Re: Is "giving" bad or suspicious?
Christopher Crowhurst -- 9/11/2014, 1:53 pm
Re: Is "giving" bad or suspicious?
Etienne Muller -- 9/11/2014, 6:37 pm
Re: Is "giving" bad or suspicious?
Mike Bielski -- 9/16/2014, 1:27 pm
Re: Is "giving" bad or suspicious?
scottbaxter -- 9/11/2014, 8:17 pm
Re: Is "giving" bad or suspicious?
JohnAbercrombie -- 9/11/2014, 9:38 pm
Re: Is "giving" bad or suspicious?
scottbaxter -- 9/11/2014, 10:39 pm
Re: Is "giving" bad or suspicious?
JohnAbercrombie -- 9/12/2014, 12:40 am
Re: Is "giving" bad or suspicious?
Christopher Crowhurst -- 9/12/2014, 8:06 am
Re: Is "giving" bad or suspicious?
Kurt Maurer -- 9/13/2014, 10:33 am
Re: Is "giving" bad or suspicious?
Daniel Thaler -- 9/11/2014, 1:06 pm