SV Tapatya Blog: Building A Benford Junk schooner Dory

Mission Statement: To build a capable, affordable cruising boat with readily-available skills, materials, equipment and facilities.
If, like me, you dream of getting out there and sailing/cruising the world's waters, this blog/site aims to show my approach to how to do just that. Capable cruising boats should not be limited to the reach of the rich and privileged. If you accept the premise that a 25 year working lifespan for your boat is plenty for you to achieve your dreams (seems reasonable!) and are not concerned about such capitalist constructs as resale value, then the capable cruising boat is within the reach of a meagre budget. Go for it!

The Miss Molly I Adventures - the story of our Pacific cruising -Click Here!!

Glue, research, science and discouraging tasks

27/5/2018

4 Comments

Let me start off by saying what a discouraging task making YouTube videos sometimes is. I've stuck at it and now have some 37 videos attempting to detail as much of this build as possible, including what I consider to be some important choices that need making if you're going to build one of these boats. The majority of feedback is positive and the good people that leave encouraging comments certainly brighten my day. I shall mention Chris and Tim here now, who often comment on this blog. You are truly marvelous people. However, clearly you can't please all of the people all of the time, and I certainly don't manage to do that. Thumbs down and complaints about the content really make me wonder if there's any point. I have spent hundreds of Euros on equipment and hundreds of hours making the videos, and I earn absolutely nothing from them, and still people feel the need to complain. Please, these videos are about building a Benford dory the way I do it - if you're not interested or don't like it, don't watch.

The latest video is about the Collano Semparoc glue that I'm using to glue the ply panels that constitute the hull planking together. I report on some of the research I've done on the topic (I have done a lot!!) and do a few semi-scientific tests. I knew I'd lose subscribers through this video, and I have. But, sod it, I think it's important. Here it is;

In the long run, we'll see how tenacious I am and whether I continue to post weekly videos or not, or even videos at all. I could just go for the quiet life and build my boat for myself..... I still feel I've got something of benefit to show.... We'll see.

Yours partly grumpily

Tony

4 Comments

Chris Boxer link

31/5/2018 08:46:52 pm

Evening Tony,

I am aboard Emmelène, so this will be brief: my battery is ailing. (But I will write more soon)
But this I must write now, because it's important: I want to say that your blog, videos and "story" mean a lot to me: the whole project really struck a chord and Tapatya has become (and so have you, without our having met, yet) an important part of my life. When I'm chatting about your build, I refer to you as "my mate Tony in Germany" - I tell you this without embarrassment in order to try to articulate that all your effort is appreciated. It means something: that's a rare quality, these days. I'm not alone in feeling a sense of attachment to what you do. Loads of people are positive and grateful for your content. Thank you very much for the effort and expense that goes into your blog and videos. And thanks to your family, too, for the camera work!

Regarding the negativity, without wanting to advise you, for you should steer your own course - well, here's what I would do:
Laugh;
Delete;
Block;
Ignore;
Forget;
And then smile again, and force yourself to think about blokes like me, hundreds of kilometres away, who admire your courage, skill and work-ethic, and are thankful for your generosity in sharing them. We can't wait to give your next video a thumbs up!
Outside, as I write this, the waves are gently rocking my little boat on her mooring, as the sun sets- soon, this will be you, and Tapatya. KEEP GOING.

Tony link

1/6/2018 09:40:00 am

Hi Chris

Thank you very much for that lovely comment/message. Although it can be a rather frustrating business, I am a resilient type and am as sure as I can be that I'll keep going (videos) through to the end of the build and beyond. You're right that there are a lot of positive comments and thumbs up etc that do indeed cheer one on and are delightful.

It's a funny old game though. I know I tend towards the alternative, but I base my decisions on a LOT of research. It's hard to understand why some people are so inflexible in their approaches and so quick to criticise anyone trying anything different, but I guess that's just the way it is....

I'm really pleased and somewhat envious to hear you're out there doing what many of us dream of. Enjoy your summer. Fair winds, etc.

Tony link

1/6/2018 11:14:04 am

I should add, however, I really do know that I've got nothing to moan about in truth. Life is good, the build is going well, there are a lot of great people out there, the sun is shining and Kerry and I have eaten fish tacos for dinner the last 3 days :-)

Michelle link

3/12/2021 02:48:31 pm

Great Article! Thank you for sharing this is very informative post, and looking forward to the latest one.

Glue, research, science and discouraging tasks

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