Acorn to Arabella - Journey of a Wooden Boat - Episode 60: Forward and Midship Floors

As we continue moving forward on the forward and midship bronze floor timbers, we are kindly interrupted by a friend of ours who plays us a cover of 'Boats to build' by Guy Clark.

The bronze floors are a tedious amount of work. Bending the compound curves in the wings going up the frames is a very time consuming task. We end up having to move away from the two man press and find a faster and more productive way forward.

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'Boats to Build' sang by Steven Piper of the Piper Hopkins Band

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Acorn to Arabella is a boat building project taking place in Granby, Massachusetts. Steve and Alix started as amateur boat builders building their own 38' wooden boat in their backyard: designer William Atkin's Ingrid with a Stormy Petrel's gaff rig. These videos follow the journey from tree felling, to lumber milling, to lofting, to the lead keel pour and beyond—sharing details of the woodworking, carpentry, metal smithing, tool building, and tool maintenance that wooden boats command. This ultimate DIY project will continue well past launch, when they will travel and learn to cruise aboard the boat that they've built. Just kidding about all that, this channel is about a Siberian Laika named Akiva.

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[jasongleave]

This program reminds me so much of my dad, he was a submariner on diesel/electric boats in the Royal navy when he wasn't at sea he would teach young men and women how to repair and build historical boats in there restoration ship yard in Portsmouth, when he came home he either stunk of diesel or that lovely smell of the wood yard, watching you guys reminds me as a kid watching and helping dad and the way you do things brings back epic memories, I so wish he was still here to watch you guys together, he would love it, keep up the good work, its going to be one stunning boat

[peacockal]

The community behind this boat is something special. Well done.

[dwaynekoblitz]

This journey started for me a random “Pouring a 4 1/2 ton keel” video. You have come so far. What a boat she’s going to be!

[peterlukaszyk]

This is not boat building this is art. Your attention to details is mind blowing guys. Excellent job.

[marinkagreen]

Love the music interlude, glad he kept his clothes on....

[Poppi]

As an easy chair supervisor (i.e., totally clueless), I now appreciate the construction difference for the ribs between Acorn to Arabella and Tally Ho. Bending steamed wood versus cutting Live Oak into the proper shapes. Thanks for the great videos.

[georgefrench]

Sensible division of labor on the floors. 👍 And props to Steve Piper for a sweet rendition of “Boats to Build.”

[skipper]

I am impressed by the change in both of you over the past 2.5 years. In Episode 1 you were both pretty squirrelly. You've developed into conscientious craftsmen. I think it all comes from giving serious consideration to the future, both for the build and for yourselves.

[dandexinventor]

Good s_it Manerds! I look forward to each episode and picture myself there helping out. I gotta work my job or I would be there. I love anything working with my hands... welding, woodworking/fabrication, have made some saddles, doin electrical work, making jigs and solving stuff on the fly, all while having fun and treating others like I would want to be treated...all makes life worth while. What has life cost me so far? Everything, and wouldn't have it any other way. Spend it, all of it while smiling, every chance you get!

[warpedjester]

cinematography has gone up a lot with the new guy working on it. Doing a great job!

[buynsell]

You guys are killing it !!! Keep up the great much progress has been a LOT of work. You guys are literally making history here.

[lancedaniels]

Thanks for posting and sharing! Tedious work on the floors. Sailing Arabella to look fwd to and kindnesses of well wishers and supportive viewers assured.

[franksijbenga]

What's that quote again?

_If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea._

[paulrosebrock]

You guys probably have thought of this but I watch a great site called EngelsCoachShop where he authentically builds horse drawn coaches and wagons. (Think 20 mule team borax wagons, or Budweiser commercials) Anyway, he fixes huge timbers together with ironwork for the running tackle and does a lot of this fitting of thick bands etc. To maximize surface contact he then “beds” the metal in before bolting down with wood glue of all things (probably cause it doesn’t stick to the steel for removal). Really amazing craftsmanship in his product.

[davidmcfate]

Well done! I am really impressed with your 'new' format for the videos! Please do not take this the wrong way, I have LOVED every single installment, but the addition of a dedicated (and obviously skilled) video editor is an awesome supplement to your team!!

[cawfeedawg]

God I love Bronze. How Noble, how warm, how ductile and such color!

[ThatGuyFromArizona]

Lincoln Electric really set you guys up... THANKS LINCOLN!!

[digiprez]

I don't think there is really any other option to fabricate those bronze timbers besides melting and casting, and that would be even more onerous considering you have to cast them all differently. One thing is for sure, nobody else is going to appreciate how much effort you guys are throwing into this floating work of art. I can't even imagine how you are going to feel when you finally set sail. Truly inspiring.

[jackrabbit]

Lovely song. Nice to have an ode to boat builders.

[jameswieser]

You guys are building this boat the way a luthier builds a custom acoustics guitar. Massive attention to detail. Love your work keep it up.
As always I’ll be looking out for the next video.