The overpowering need to be near boats

My young friend (70+, Thanks for the correction Jamie.) Frank Cashin gave me a call the other day, he needed a hand rolling over his 15ft sailboat. Excited to show some of my non boat friends what kind of work Frank does I called up my boat roller veteran Travor Miller, his son Sebastian and my other buddy Bill Foote. I'm not sure what Frank expected for help but, well he got a complete crew when we showed up. Burly Bill and Trav's now trim mining muscles grabbed the rear of the boat, I held the front and the others were there for moral support. Frank counted the customary 1,2,3 and in a moment the boat was lifted and rolled as if it were  my 16ft canoe. It was kind of funny seeing the ease of its roll. The boat is only a hull so at most it weighed in at 200 lbs.

This shot was taken just after the roll and Trav in his customary shyness had to leave to bring his son to hockey. Heroes never sleep. Thanks Travor. Bill and Frank are near the stern admiring the work. His neighbors are near the right side.

 Frank (Left) now can see what shape the boat takes, after a year of being a series of frames, timbers and ribs.

 Of nothing but fine wood, Franks boat has some very cool features. such as the custom centerboard haulup. Which in a way is like mine. A flanged pipe with a screw on cap in stainless and Galvanized steel.

 The centerboard case is solid wood, there is no plywood on this boat, anywhere. All traditional construction when it comes to the style. The ribs were lovingly steamed in a steambox just outside the workshop. 6" spacing.

 The Transom was fine enough made from solid wood, but his knee shown here is made from a laminate of dozens of pieces of wood then cut to shape. It was bolted in place by silicon bronze bolts no less. On of my favorite parts of his boat so far. This done poorly can in my mind ruin the look of an otherwise fine craft, but Frank is no slouch. The transom and Stem will be trimmed at the time of adding the gunwales later on. My god thats beautiful!

 Frank picked up all his cast fittings right from England and they are works of art in my mind. The guys are admiring the box of fittings as I wander and snap a few shots.

 From left to right, Franks Neighbor, Chris the boat builder, Frank in the blue hat, and Maxwell Patten (my friend who built my mahogany tiller)

Frank was the most hospitable by having a big spread of food and drink for us after the roll. We spent several hours after just talking boats, my favorite topic. This was a great fall day and as the saying goes,
"There is nothing, absolutely Nothing, half so much worth doing as simply messing around in boats"

As Frank progresses I'll post some more pictures of this fine craft. With luck both of us will be on the bay in the spring.

p.s. Thanks Jamie for correcting me on Franks age, I never had the nerve to ask him and young Max made an estimate, a poor one.