Pretty…

C.E. Grundler

It’s not on the list of words used to describe my boat’s current condition, at least not until the other day. But I think I’m going to start a new list, for the new words I’m hearing. Such as:

- Pretty

- Really solid

- Even

- Damn!

- Wow!

I like that last one the best, and I’ve heard it a few times over the last week. The collection of engine parts is shrinking, while the engine room is really starting to take shape. Alternately, I’ve been fairing the now rebuilt deck rails, which needed much new structure. In many places nothing of the original contours remained. I created a template of the mostly correct dimensions, and it amuses me that I built it from mixing sticks, a ruler, and some popsicle sticks. I say mostly because I’ve discovered something about a ‘one-off’ boat. *Everything* is off. It’s subtle, but unlike a mold-built boat, dimensions and angles vary from one side to the other. My choice was to either duplicate the original (slightly off) measurements, or figure out an average and adjust accordingly. Which approach do you all think I took?

For longer than I’d care to admit I’ve heard people telling me, not always that convincingly, that my little boat will be ‘beautiful when she’s done.’ I’m not nearly done yet, but the beauty I’ve never questioned is starting to finally shine through bright enough that others can see it too.

Yeah, boat restoration really is like writing a novel. It’s not always readily apparent what you’re doing, where you’re headed, or why, and most sane people (rightly) figure you’re out of your mind, walking around mumbling to voices in your head. It’s lonely work, but if you truly believe in what you’re doing, (and keep doing, because without persistence dreams rarely float,) eventually you can launch that dream and show the world what you alone knew was there.

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