Rowboat Construction Update #1

As previously stated the idea of building a small rowboat sounds appealing.  The ability of a flat bottomed boat to chase Redfish up the creeks without getting stuck on the bottom tops the list.  A light 12 foot boat would push a lot easier than the 19 foot Deep Vee I was on that did get stuck, would fit in the garage with room to spare, and with a small motor cost much less to operate and maintain.  On line I found an ad for an Old Towne flat bottom row/powerboat from the early 1900's that looked a lot like what my dad built.  You can motor close then break out the oars and sneak up on hungry fish.   No plans available for that one but I did find plans for similar vintage boats that gave me a period construction method.  I started by selecting the best lumber I could find at Home Depot (Lumber Yard Yacht) and  by finding an 1890's wooden Ohio Tool Co. #116  1" Skewed Rabbet Plane.  Just what I needed to make a lapstrake hull.  I then built a table, or jig, or strongback to use as a form to hopefully bend the hull planks on.  Can't have a lopsided or crooked boat. I then learned how to set up the vintage plane and proceeded to make shavings.  Lots of shavings.  No power tools here.  The hardest thing so far has been talking Barbara out of her half of the garage. 

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Time For Kingfish

The King Mackerel or Kingfish is a migratory, schooling fish that can grow to 90 pounds.  It has great power for short runs and can leap out of the water like a billfish.  In short, they can really smoke your fishing reel's drag and give your upper body a good workout.  They visit North Florida for an extended summer when the water warms to 70 degrees and higher. You never know what you are going to catch when ocean fishing but a Kingfish is a pretty good bet.  As a kid in South Florida years ago you would aim for Sailfish, Dolphin, or Cobia but would not be upset with the seemingly more abundant Kingfish.  Nice thing about this area, you do not have to go far offshore to find them.  The biggest one I have caught here was just a long cast from the beach.  The Pelicans help you locate the bait pods and the hungry predators are usually already there.  I have been chasing Kings for a long time.  The picture with the skinny kid wearing the snazzy hat is me with my mom back when all boats were wood.  The other pictures are  more current from St. Augustine. 

Brought to you by: Team Gledhill, Prudential Network Realty Buying or Selling Property in St. Johns Co? Call 904-874-2588 or email info@teamgledhill.com

"Sharing Our Community with Buyers & Sellers...One Snippet at a Time"