Rudy Woodcraft

In the previous episode Deb and I were in Key Largo. In this final part of our trip, we take the amazing Rt1 drive to Key West. There we visit some favorite spots including schooner row, Fort Zachary Taylor, take an eco-sail tour which ends with some fine views of the schooners under sail at sunset, enjoy happy hours at the Green Parrot, and get some paddling and sailing in on the lower keys in Nomad! Part of the series Sailing Nomad, Sailing These Homemade Boats, and this new series, by Doug Rudy

The previous episode covered the sailing around Bonita Springs, in Estero Bay and San Carlos Bay, and the trip further south to pick up Deb and head for Key Largo. In this episode, our stay at the excellent Kona Kai Resort on Key Largo, we paddle the mangroves and get a good look at some Manatees, dive a reef, and I get to enjoy sailing these great waters, perfect for Nomad. Part of the series Sailing Nomad, Sailing These Homemade Boats, and this new series, by Doug Rudy

The previous episode covered the first leg to Wakulla, Florida, and the first time out on the water for 2021, in a couple of spots on the Florida panhandle. In this episode there is more sailing off of the Bonita Springs area, in Estero Bay and San Carlos Bay, and then on to pick up Deb in Miami airport and head down to Key Largo! Part of the series Sailing Nomad, Sailing These Homemade Boats, and this new series, by Doug Rudy

It was our first visit to the Florida Keys a dozen years ago that got me thinking about designing and building a sailing kayak. When the boat was done, of course, you can't check it in airline baggage so this itinerary has worked out several times now: a long driving trip, with stopovers for some sailing and paddling along the way. This year it has been a particular delight to head south from full winter conditions late February in Ohio and start south. The first part covers prep, the first leg to Wakulla, Florida, and the first time out on the water for 2021, in a couple of spots on the Florida panhandle. Part of the series Sailing Nomad, Sailing These Homemade Boats, and this new series, by Doug Rudy

My friend Eddie Kotter is the bodhran player for our band The Kells, and he was saying nice things about some of the wood-turning I'm learning, so I offered to make something for him and his wife. He asked for a salad bowl, which with the limited diameter of my lathe was a challenge. Happy with how it came out, and it just MIGHT be big enough for salad (for two!). The walnut is from a tree we milled and stickered. Part of the series Wood Turning by Doug Rudy

Deb and I had a nomadic two-week trip w/ a teardrop camper trailer I made for friends of ours and the sailing kayak Nomad. After two nights on South Bass Island in Lake Erie, we camped along the Lake Superior Pictured Rocks shore in beautiful upper peninsula Michigan. This was the first time I've been able to take any of the boats I've designed on Lake Superior! A highlight was meeting up with the Cajun Ramblers and enjoying music together around the fire on South Bass. For more on the teardrop camper, check out this video: https://youtu.be/95O6GgGWCiQ Part of the series Sailing Nomad and Sailing These Homemade Boats by Doug Rudy

This isn't about woodworking, boats, or sailing, but I thought some people might be interested anyway. I have long appreciated winter camping for the quiet--no bugs, no crowds, and if its cold enough, no mud! Seemed the perfect way to get some distance from the events of the election. I've also made a shorter video out of some thoughts that came to me during a hike on this trip about the election, national unity, healing. That same clip is included here so fair warning: economics and politics included for a few minutes!

I took a winter campout to get away from the craziness for a bit. While hiking I had some ideas on how the nation can get some unity and healing. This video doesn't have anything to do with woodwork or boats but this is what has been on my mind so... Wonder what people think?

A long-overdue wedding present to our friends Ian and Katie Hefflefinger, using the off-cut, a really nice walnut burl, from the side table I made for Deb (video: https://youtu.be/MIiolDdvvfU). We've known Heff for a long time and are so happy he and Katie found each other! Part of the series Woodworking/Woodturning by Doug Rudy.

Grace is a homemade sailboat of my own design Although the new boat has been sailing great with a catboat (main only) rig, I decided to experiment with a small jib. The test version made from blue plastic tarp seemed promising, so I ordered a real one from Duckworks and here is the result! Part of the series Sailing These Homemade Boats and Designing and Building a Sailing Rowboat by Doug Rudy.

Grace is a homemade sailboat of my own design Shortly after the first sails, I made a motor mount and on a calm misty morning tried that out and some other tweaks...row, and motor...and sail!

Although I designed and built this boat before I tried to learn to make videos, I've gotten alot of interest in the process of designing and building this boat. So in this video I re-verify and draw the plans, and go through (via pictures) the build process, which is very similar to the sailing rowboat Grace. That build is documented on this channel and largely applies in terms of techniques and materials. I hope you enjoy the video and if you have questions or comments I enjoy reading and responding to them. Part of the series on the sailing kayak Nomad by Doug Rudy.

This episode covers the build from the completed frame through shaping to the bevels, Sapele skeg, mast step brace, and daggerboard trunk, and hull plywood. It concludes with a fun milestone, freeing the boat from the strongback and with the help of my friends turning it right-side up! With the first season of sailing the boat done, I'm making this series on designing and building the boat, which can of course draw on video of the completed boat under sail which hopefully helps. Although I made a series (on this channel) as the project was unfolding, this series is quite a bit more fast-paced (5 instead of 28 episodes), and (hopefully) is a bit better quality! Part 2 of the series Designing and Building the Sailboat Grace by Doug Rudy.

How to design and make your own sailing rowboat... This first episode starts with the plans I drew up, and proceeds through making the strongback, making and installing the ribs and former, scarfing and fitting the pieces for the keelson, chine, and shear, and making the stem. With that glued up, the frame is complete, ready for shaping and hull plywood in the next episode. With the first season of sailing the boat done, I'm making this series on designing and building the boat, which can of course draw on video of the completed boat under sail which hopefully helps. Although I made a series (on this channel) as the project was unfolding, this series is quite a bit more fast-paced (5 instead of 28 episodes), and (hopefully) is a bit better quality!

Bending the sail on, getting the hull identification number, registration, and OH number, getting the name on the boat and sail it! After a few adjustments, with the second sail, the build is completed and it is on to Sailing Grace... With the first season of sailing the boat done, I'm making this series on designing and building the boat, which can of course draw on video of the completed boat under sail which hopefully helps. Although I made a series (on this channel) as the project was unfolding, this series is quite a bit more fast-paced (5 instead of 28 episodes), and (hopefully) is a bit better quality! Part 5 of the series Designing and Building the Sailboat Grace by Doug Rudy.

Though the boat had been launched, it was a rowboat, not yet a sailboat. So this episode covers building those items I enjoy, that make a sailboat a sailboat: rudder, daggerboard, tiller, boom, gaff and (using traditional techniques) the tapered round mast. The episode also covers the other remaining items of the build like floors, flotation and trailer completion. With the first season of sailing the boat done, I'm making this series on designing and building the boat, which can of course draw on video of the completed boat under sail which hopefully helps. Although I made a series (on this channel) as the project was unfolding, this series is quite a bit more fast-paced (5 instead of 28 episodes), and (hopefully) is a bit better quality! Part 4 of the series Designing and Building the Sailboat Grace by Doug Rudy.

This episode covers the completion of the interior, including rails, thwarts, and benches, and ends with the first time in the water, December 28th! A great rowboat, but not yet a sailboat... With the first season of sailing the boat done, I'm making this series on designing and building the boat, which can of course draw on video of the completed boat under sail which hopefully helps. Although I made a series (on this channel) as the project was unfolding, this series is quite a bit more fast-paced (5 instead of 28 episodes), and (hopefully) is a bit better quality! Part 3 of the series Designing and Building the Sailboat Grace by Doug Rudy.

This channel is about the intersection of woodworking and sailboats, but also other woodworking projects I think some people might enjoy, as well as sailing the homemade boats.