The reaction we get from most people when I mention that me and my sons are building a boat is stunned disbelief. I usually have to assure them that it is just a small boat made from plywood before they start looking like they believe me. I guess building a boat in your garage is pretty far outside the norm for most people. Next, they always ask, "Why are your building a sail boat?" Apart from the obvious answer, so we can go sailing, I guess there were a combination of things that started me down this road.

A few months ago Jacob decided he wanted to make a small toy boat out of wood. His first attempt was boat like but he was not satisfied with the results. As I always do I try to solve problems with the knowledge of others on the internet. I looked for designs for small toy boats but I ended up on pages that had plans for small boats that are real and not toys. At this same time my preacher was preaching on not putting things off. Since moving to Houston I've had this little itch to get into boating, but never followed through. There was one other thing. The page that had the plans for this boat said the thing that stops most people from building a boat is never starting. It said don't try to figure everything out before you start. Just start!

So a purchased the plans for $20 and three sheets of plywood and started. I have no background in wood working other than minor home repairs. It has been challenging but very rewarding. Tonight we hit our first mile stone. We finished cutting out all the major pieces totally consuming two sheets of 1/4 inch ply. The last sheet will be used for the bottom.

I'll update this page as we shoot for the next mile stone. Going 3D! This is the point when the sides and bottom are together. At that point we will be able to register for a hull number at PDRacer.com.