A few loose ends...

Before I can start there are a few jobs that I need to finish.

We moved last year and I've been converting one room into a library/retreat. We have a lot of books! I ran out of time, and enthusiam, over the summer break but it's a job that needs to be completed before I start on the boat.

An ongoing project. Sorry about the poor photo quality.

Stopping...a new experience and one that I hope I'll like.

The other task is to replace the screws on the FJ's carburettors with the stainless hex head kit I ordered. At least I got the brake upgrade done.

So a week or so more and I'll be able to begin.

Plans

The plans have finally arrived. Given that they were posted on the 1st of February, it took 14 days to get them here from the US.
It can take that long to get something from the Eastern states of Australia so I shouldn't complain too much.

The plans look well constructed and logical; not too hard to read at all. In fact they are much better than I had expected so well done John Welsford!

Now I just have to clear a mounting workload at school, help to move my sister-in-law from Perth to just around the corner from us and re-organise the shed.

Can't wait to get started!

Gath Mor

We have been asked why we chose the name "Gath Mor".  I have always been interested in Celtic art and history and also have two cats. Both love the pool area, but not to swim obviously.
We came up with many possible names, some better than others, but finally settled on Gath Mor as much of the artwork I hope to incorporate into the boat will have a Celtic theme and I'd like to carve a small figurehead in the shape of a celtic-style cat's head.
Still waiting for the plans.

Why a Pathfinder?

As I get older keeping up the the pace of life in contemporary society is becoming increasingly difficult. Everything seems to be expected “right now”. That attitude seems to be reflected in everything from the speed we drive, deadlines for work, to the forms of recreation we employ.

Owning a boat in Mandurah is no different. The vast majority are powerboats and many of those are way overpowered. The idea here seems to be "Get down to the boat-ramp as fast as possible, blast out to your favourite fishing spot, do some serious reef-raping, then blast back again".  

It is not uncommon to see boats with 150hp outboards slung on the back. I've even seen boats with two 200 hp monsters weighing down the transom. Anything under 40hp seems to be considered too small.

There is a sailing club that gets people out on a regular basis in sharpies, etc, but most of the larger yachts seem to get left swinging idly at their moorings. 

I find I'm now craving a slower, healthier pace of life; one where I can actually look around and appreciate my surroundings. Taking the time to build a boat, then sail out to the good fishing spots really appeals to me.

There are a great many small boat designs out there, but John Welsford's just seem to have something special about them. Aesthetically they are sublime, with beautiful lines. Practically, they are proven designs that have withstood the test of time and use.

I went for Pathfinder over Navigator simply for the extra room. It is our intention to take  Gath Mor over to Rottnest, as well as down the coast; camping along the way. Of course going out for a fish, or a gentle motor down the river is on the cards as well. It will be an interesting build. As a teacher I always strive to take my students just beyond their comfort zone academically and into the zone of “optimal learning”. This build will take me into the same zone and I'm sure I'll be a far better woodworker at the end of it.