Preview: A Visit Aboard Wooden Motor Trawler RAVEN

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An experienced Northwest shipwright and cruiser takes us aboard his own wooden motor trawler, RAVEN, in which there seems to be a compartment for everything.  And then some.

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48 Responses So Far to “A Visit Aboard Wooden Motor Trawler RAVEN”

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    Robert Kunzig says:

    Such an interesting and innovative cruiser!! I’m going to be watching this many times over. Thank you for sharing your ideas and designs – delightfully amazing

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    Brian Donohue says:

    Lief’s use of interconnecting panels are reminiscent of the interconnected floorboards on the Draken Harald Hårfagre, the replica viking ship at Mystic Seaport Museum. Very ingenious and crafty work spanning centuries.

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    Charles Hurbier says:

    Extraordinaire !!! Le Géo Trouvetout de la construction navale… So clever, simple and fun… Sincères félicitations Monsieur.

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    Wolfgang Doughty says:

    This type of video never goes out of date, , , , well done

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    Kit Laughlin says:

    That is the best thought out small boat interior I have EVER seen. May I know her LOA, beam and draft? I know Leif built Raven for himself, but are there any plans for… plans? Raven is a boat I would love to build for myself. Sincere thanks to OCH for this video introduction. Truly excellent. And I will be watching this video again, for sure.

    Anyway, Steve, I will be grateful for more information or videos whenever possible. Thank you!

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    Jameson Bull says:

    Did anyone else get a chuckle out of “The toilet is also a shower, is also a wet bar!”

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    jim hilty says:

    It’s like sailing a picture puzzle with a thousand pieces. Hope none of the pieces go missing.

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      John Fonvielle says:

      He will just just make another one but I don’t think he will be losing any himself. I love a boat that is functional and thought-out. This takes the cake IMO.

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    Gerald Caird says:

    Just fantastic and wonderful, Wow!, and ditto.

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    Dave Dickmeyer says:

    The most efficient use of space I’ve ever seen. I wonder if he could visit my house and get me organized? Awesome talent there!

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    Michael Lehner says:

    I can only wish to be as a tenth as clever with both my hands and my imagination as Leif. Holy moly!

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    Todd Williams says:

    Most interesting video. A very creative person , who rally thinks matters trough. What design is the basic boat though or is it of his own design?

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    David Ray says:

    This has been one great learning experience. No change not just one, but a whole bunch. Thank you Leif. Steve thank you and your camera man also.

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    Wolfgang Zeller, Ing. says:

    Thank you for the inspiration for my next project.
    …greetings from Europe
    Wolf

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    Peter Fynn says:

    As Lief has sold his boat to Karen, is he going to build another? Wonderful use of space with a lot of thinking involved.

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    David Mowen says:

    An amazing, maximum use of space, with esthetics and utility that warm the heart of a seaman..

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    Leif Eriksson says:

    This single video has inspired me to give OCH subscriptions to several of my friends as the need for appropriate Day Recognitions come around. This is truly an astounding piece of craftsmanship!

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    Brian McQuillan says:

    Leif you are amazing
    I could not believe the inovations, hints tips etc. just kept going on and on. The whole boat is like one big jig saw puzzle. Thank you for sharing this with us, this is without question the Swiss Army knife of boats.
    Thank you, thank you thank you
    Brian McQuillan

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    William Hammond says:

    That was incredible!!! Simply incredible!!

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    thomas carson says:

    Wow. He just gave me about 50 new ideas for my boat’s interior !
    On my 27′ Monk cruiser, I am always in need of space saving and multiple use items.

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    Chick Lanham says:

    I am an inventor with many patents. I love this kind of problem solving. Very cool!

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    David McKay says:

    Amazing. If Rubik hadn’t invented the cube, I’m sure Leif would have gotten to it. Thank you for sharing this story about an amazing guy and his practical solutions to….everything !

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    Matt Howard says:

    There are so many lessons here for modern boat builders; too many to count. What a wonderful craft this is! Above all it reminds me that enjoyment is where the essence of boating lies.

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    Charles Zimmermann says:

    It is really a pleasure to learn about the engine – its horsepower, fuel consumption, noise level, fuel tank capacity, temperature sensors, and controls. This is roughly comparable to a Diesel engine on a sailboat designed for rough weather and about 30 to 35 feet overall. So this little trawler is not a noisy diesel-guzzler but a friendly little boat. Very impressive.

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    Gregory Gray says:

    Mind-boggling array of uses and reuses. Form following function squared! And, the form isn’t too far behind, either. Thanks for sharing your work.

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    bob mcCorkle says:

    What an ingenious work of love. I particularly liked the engine room temp sending unit and monitor. Anyone can and should use this idea.

  • Herve Depow

    Herve Depow says:

    I found it fascinating to see how over and over one piece of wood has multiple purposes. It is like a jig saw puzzle on many planes. The process of measuring individual pieces for multiple purposes and have them fit together must be very complex. Piece A must fit with piece B, but also must fit with piece C. Piece C has to fit with piece D and so on. Thank you for such an interesting video presentation.

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    Art Plewka says:

    Absolutely magical! My six year old grandson watched the whole thing with me and was as enthralled as I was!

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    Ken Sloan says:

    The simplest solutions are always the best. Getting multiple “bangs for your buck”, as Leif does is one of the secrets of making small boats work. Makes me want to think harder about my boat.

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    Geoff Wade says:

    I’ll give this one another WOW! just like everyone else. Very enjoyable, and definitely lots of ideas for my little boat.

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    Leif Knutsen says:

    Thank you all for the thumbs up. A big Thank you to the video editor as well. I would have liked to have more time to have presented other things about Raven but Steve had to catch a plane. Thank you Steve for capturing as much as you did in the time allowed. Also thank you for making me feel as comfortable as you did for my first time on video.

    Robert Gentry: I am not sure what you had in mind for your bug but I did transform my 2007 Honda FIT into a comfortable sleeping camper for my wife and I when we drove the AlCan to Alaska. We spent 13 nights on the road with all our necessary traveling stuff. (food, water, bedding, ice chest, camp stove, etc. We alloted ourselves 3 Motel nights which we did not use as camping was so comfortable, and camp grounds beautiful. Nothing was installed permeant and we still have a car upon our return. The conversion flat packs for storage at home

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    karenlsullivan says:

    Now you all know why Jim and I kept talking about him in the videos. And guess what, he IS our neighbor! I hope OCH will come back next year and do a video about the super-lightweight native canoes Leif is building.

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    Kenny Robinson says:

    That’s incredible! Wow! Thank you Leif.

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    John Lewis says:

    Great stuff! I know I’ll be watching this again…and again. Beautiful and practical work adapting ones environment to their needs. Thanks.

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    Robert Gentry says:

    Wow, is right. Think what he could do with a 1965 VW bug.

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    Hugh Bamford says:

    Karen and Jim from Sockdolager mention Leif Knutsen a lot, great to see his own work and meet the man.

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    John Sims says:

    WOW! Great ideas, fantastic design – a simply perfect boat!

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