Getting started or more like committng.

First and foremost- It has been a long-time dream of mine to build a sailboat. My first attempt ever was many many years ago. My brother and I found a piece of flotation foam that had come off a dock at our local lake.We soon realized it could hold not one person but 2 easily, but it was a bit awkward. So we made heavy modifications to it. Added more foam pieces that we "found" then some plywood for a deck. This worked cool but paddling couldn't hold our attention as it took too much time to get to the really cool destinations like this mysterious island that we had always seen but never set foot on.

We needed a sail or motor. No chance of finding a motor, so, not knowing anything about sail-making, or sails really for that matter, we jumped right in. We just need something big to catch the wind right? We went and got ourselves a window blind. A really cool, big venetian blind like thing that you could pull on the string and raise it or lower it. We attached this to a closet hanger dowel thingy that we used as the mast and off we went. Well, it didn't really work that great unless we wanted to go where the wind wanted us to go. And even then, the boat itself didn't always point in the same direction we were going, but something awesome happened. I  really enjoyed the idea that you could actually make something that could take you somewhere. No need for gas, just hop on and let the wind power your craft. I was hooked and have been ever since. But, ever since, I have acquired a wife, a car, house, child (now young man), a job to help cover those costs, stress to help cover the costs of producing the costs, and so on and so on.

So here I am today, on the razors edge of a decision. It's finally time. The moment of truth is upon me. I have a little time, and a very small, make that MICRO budget, for a boat. Which one? I have spent my budget on plans and plans and plans so far. LOL. Fortunately I have not cut any wood yet. It seems I get right to the point of buying lumber and then it happens: I am surfing the net and BAM! a boat I have not seen before. And this one seems to fit my ideas, capabilities, garage, finances. This one seems even better. So another set of plans ordered.

I have given serious consideration to the following boats. Listed in the order I was bitten (or close to it):

1. Weekender - have plans and almost got started until....might not fit in garage.
2. Tinkerbelle 2 - have plans, awesome boat but the plans left too much to my interpretation (remember window blind for sail)
3. D5 - have plans, maybe something smaller to start with and test myself, yea but if I am going to commit the time, may as well be with something I truly want to be in.
4. Ocean Explorer - have plans, this is actually pretty cool boat, but a little too small. Don't they make an open 60 that you could build in your garage?
5. Souriceau- What I think of as a dream boat, I spent many weeks daydreaming of being in this vessell. Plans are too expensive and I really don't think a garage stored boat. Not to mention, the cost to outfit may also be a bit prohibitive.
6. Back to Weekender - maybe I can make this work...no wait a minute what's this..
7. Adelie 14 - Awesome, this could be the one. Think on it, see if you change your mind. Not sure if I like the cabin top shape. Ok whew at least I didn't order plans. Still a nice boat, if it weren't for....
8. Fafnir - Oh man, here it is, the boat for sure. I forgot about this one. I could single-handedly circumnavigate in this (Really, no, but I could). John Welsford designed this for me. Oh it looks a little too tall to fit in my garage. Maybe build in garage but once on trailer forget it. That one broke my heart.
9. Micro 8 and Micro 10 - Same idea, I liked the thought, but I think too purpose built and I probably won't be happy with it down the road. Really miss the Fafnir idea.
10. SCAMP - This boat is awesome, I was going to order plans in a couple of weeks. Easily build and store in garage. Could order CNC cut kit for fairly decent cost. Yep I am doing this one...Except...
11. Paradox - What is this? This is like a small Fafnir, could it be, really? My lost love in a garage-fitting form. I love this boat. Kinda narrow, but the functionality of it is awesome. Just rediscovered this beauty last night and I am hurridly trying to catch up. Something inside me was telling me the Scamp just might not be the one, try investigating some other boats for an even better fit. Well, the fit on this baby is a match made in heaven. Already requested plans...

Looks like I am finally tying the knot (what a pun). Stay tuned to this soap opera, let's see if it sticks, and we can finally stick the name Arya on a transom.