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.