(Turns out I put the donation link in wrong. If you tried to use it, I’m sorry! Please try again if you’re so inclined.)
Comes a time when you finally figure out just what the hell you want to do next…
I say that with a wink and a smile, but in fact, I’m getting an idea that just might be a step in the direction of Soothing this unsettled period I’ve been navigating.
Here in Rockland, Maine, we have a very cool place called The Apprenticeshop
( www.apprenticeshop.org). In operation since 1972, it’s a very well respected school of wooden boat-building, with a long history of strong community, exquisite craftsmanship, and learning by getting your hands dirty – just my cup of tea.
And so I have enrolled in their 12-week training program, beginning October, 2022. The cost is not insignificant, but the potential for the skills and connections gained is limited only by one’s imagination. I’m pretty excited!
Doing the refit on Sionna has revealed to me that there are a lot of skills I lack when it comes to boat carpentry, so this training will be immediately applied to getting our cruising home back in the water where she belongs. Beyond that, I’m thinking that Maine is FULL of old boats forgotten in back yards and barns. Some of them – perhaps many of them – are beyond saving. But many others just need someone with the skills, time, and interest to bring them back. And that someone could be me.
Still, there’s the cost. If you’ve been following this blog fora while, you know we don’t have a trust fund to fall back on, and though we never miss a meal and we have a warm house, there isn’t a lot left in the “career training” pool to draw from.
So I hope you’ll forgive me for mentioning that I’ve set up a “GoFundMe” campaign to help pay for part of my schooling.
The link is: https://tinyurl.com/IveGotBoatsToBuild
If you’re so inclined, please click the link to add a little to the kitty. We would be much obliged.
'Til the butter melts 
January 30, 2022 at 2:40 pm
I’ve just got to remind you of the definition of ‘boat’: Boat [n] A hole in the water, surrounded by wood/fiberglass/steel into which money is poured. It enables one to go nowhere slowly, while simultaneously becoming cold, wet, and sick. ;-)) H
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January 30, 2022 at 2:57 pm
Which comment proves you need to get out and explore more! The only thing worse in that regard is a house – but nobody makes smart comments about them. Why is that?
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January 30, 2022 at 9:43 pm
The only way I have seen people making money fixing up boats and reselling them is if they film their efforts and their videos on YouTube and Patreon. No experience is required, just a bit of
Jena se qua.
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January 31, 2022 at 1:06 pm
Oh I don’t know about that-it’s pretty common to make a dollar here and there that way in these parts, but we’re not talking about making a living – just spare change to add to the fun. We’ll see.
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November 7, 2022 at 9:29 pm
Here is one for spare parts: https://longisland.craigslist.org/boa/d/medford-triangle-32-free-project-boat/7550144976.html
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