Preview: Just Keep Going, Part 1 – Building the Drake Raceboat 20

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Last year Nate and his brother Cooper tackled R2AK and this year Nate has undertaken to build his first boat and then row it in the Seventy48 – a seventy mile human powered only water race. Talk about ‘not quitting‘ … sheesh.

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12 Responses So Far to “Just Keep Going, Part 1 – Building the Drake Raceboat 20

  • Avatar

    Gene Nelson says:

    Did about the same thing with my Annapolis Wherry. Building
    her was as much fun as rowing her . Latest project was a Graeme King 22’ recreational skull ,Love your videos !

  • Avatar

    Clint Chase says:

    This was a fun project for me to contribute to with the design and kit and advice, etc.

    Nate is a pleasure to work with and is wicked smart, dedicated, and just really impressive!

    This is getting me excited for my project this winter building two Drake 17 Rowboats, one for a customer and one for me! I plan to do some serious rowing along the Maine coast next summer.

    • Avatar

      Clint Chase says:

      I would add that Ruud, from Puuvenpiste, was really great. He fully 3D modeled the Poseidon rig so that I could design the interior of the boat around it. It “fit like a glove”, wouldn’t you say, Nate?

      • Nate Rooks

        Nate Rooks says:

        It is without hyperbole that I say I was dumbfounded at how well the Poseidon fit into the boat. I thought I’d need to make some adjustments as it came together, but it was seriously millimeter-correct!

        It also is still providing completely silent and smooth rolling action after many hours of hard use. I really can’t say enough good things about it.

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    Earland Briggs says:

    I built a 14 ft skiff recently-plans from Off Center Harbor- It was so much fun, I would like to build this 20 footer. Earl Briggs, age 90, retired dentist..

    • Nate Rooks

      Nate Rooks says:

      Earland, Clint’s kits are incredibly well thought-out and designed. I couldn’t believe how many ways I could screw up and they STILL fit together perfectly and made such a fine boat. You can do it!

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    James Harris says:

    Superb. Your brother is correct; “there’s nothing to it but to do it”. That must have been a great feeling when you sat on the water for the first time. Well done.

    • Nate Rooks

      Nate Rooks says:

      One of the most gratifying days of my life. Still having a blast with it, thank you James!

  • Avatar

    Raymond Morgan says:

    That gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling all over, can’t wait for part 2
    Thank you all.

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    Ronald Kerr says:

    What a lovely boat I would enjoy building one for renee my lady

    • Avatar

      John Trussell says:

      Unvarnished epoxy may well last in the Pacific Northwest, but my experience in South Carolina has been that unvarnished epoxy cracks and peels after a year in our sun…

      Otherwise a nice build–shares the joy of the first look at a boat after it comes off the molds!

      • Nate Rooks

        Nate Rooks says:

        It won’t stay that way forever, John – I plan on varnishing it at some point. The next stage is to start considering a few improvements for camp cruising instead of just racing, so I’ll address the final coatings once I have any other steps sorted out. Thanks for watching!

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