Off Center Harbor member Doug Bullock shares his story about building the Off Center Skiff for his annual event “Paddlethon”, which takes place at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club in Toronto, Canada. The event raises funds for the local Ronald McDonald House.
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Kim Alter says:
I have a few questions ,on the garboards and top planks . Does the tapper all start at the same end of the boat . And is there an alternative to seal the bottom and side planks other than the cotton and caulk .maybe a beading compound like Poly Sulfite , ive seen Tips from a shipwright useit on his boats. And what is a good source for paint, epoxy ,any of the products boat building. Thank you for your help .
Doug Bullock says:
Taper – yes all the same end – the fatter end goes to the bow. For the seams I used the cotton just to experience that traditional approach – but sealed the bottom and garboards with Sikaflex 291 and used the Interlux seam compound for the topsides.
I got all my wood 7 fasteners from Home Depot, sight unseen, delivered to site, as we were in the middle of COVID restrictions. Got my marine paint from the regular hardware store – and some stuff like the copper nails & cotton from a small marine store after a google reach of my area.
Enjoy the build and have fun – make sure to stop and take photos at each stage.
Wiley Goodwin says:
Doug Bullock mentions that he wrote up building instructions for the skiff. Is a copy available?
Doug Bullock says:
Yes – these are NOT official OCH instructions – simply my notes from watching all the videos – that said, happy to share and will forward them to you shortly.
Wiley Goodwin says:
Much obliged!
Wiley Goodwin says:
Do you need my email address?
Paul Ludington says:
Thanks for the great video! I am getting ready to build the OCH skiff, and noticed that you had created detailed assembly instructions. Are those instructions available to aspiring wooden boat builders. Thanks.
Donald Goldring says:
We’ll done Doug. The skiff looks great and as they say there is nothing like messing about in boats. I live in Kingston and used to sail our Viking 28 with our family to Toronto. Watching you row in the canals on the Island brought back great memories as we used to dock on Centre Island across from RCYC for a couple of nights. Congratulations on the fundraiser, a great cause.
Doug Bullock says:
Thanks for kinds words and taking the time to share your memories of the lagoons of the Toronto islands – they are special.
Maynard Bray says:
Hi Doug,
Slow Internet kept me from watching until moments ago. Nice job of building and a fine video. Congratulations!
Doug Bullock says:
Thank you Maynard, I so enjoy your videos – keep them coming.
Mark Folkerts says:
Is there going to be a 2022 event? I’m almost finished an Atkins “George “, and would love to join! (My sister lives in one of the waterfront condos in the video)
Doug Bullock says:
Hi Mark. Paddlethon has been a great event and in 3 years we raised just over $100,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Toronto. Last year was my last organizing the event and I wanted to go out with a bang, hence building the skiff. I don’t know yet who is organizing the event this year for the Club, but I am sure someone will pick up the paddle.
Havilah Hawkins says:
Nice job Doug. It is really gratifying to see the apparent pleasure and satisfaction
you have gotten out of the whole project. You have made my day. Thank you.
Doug Bullock says:
Hi Havilah, watching the early videos of Eric and you talking about the boat sure sold me. Then watching the kids build it was inspiring. I just had to give it a try and I sure am glad I did. It was a great experience and the boat has proved to be everything you said it would be and more. I love that it is not precious, but more a work boat, meant to take a little abuse, it is just a joy to be in. Cheers Doug
Gordon Greene says:
Doug – thanks for creating such a simple but elegant video. And I would also apply those words simple and elegant to the Hawkins skiff that my wife and I enjoy. We had met Havilah through Wooden Boat and were impressed by how thoughtfully he helped us assess what kind of boat we might need. We wanted something to sail and he took up the challenge – building us a spritsail rigged Hawkins Skiff that we picked up in the summer of 2020. It may be the only one in existence at the moment but I hope it is not the last. It is so very satisfying, and often exciting to sail, exemplifying the phrase we all know about “simplicity afloat.” At first, rowing the skiff felt like a necessity at times but not the main point. Ah, but this skiff is seductive. We have come to love the feel of rowing her as much as we love the feel of sailing her. Thanks for sharing your story and thanks for all that you do for children.
Doug Bullock says:
Hi Gordon and thanks for sharing. Next up I am looking at building either a Fox Double Paddle Canoe or maybe a small sailboat – so your description of a sailing Hawkins skiff has sparked some interest for sure – Cheers Doug
Rod McLaren says:
Well done, Doug, on the video, the fund raiser, and especially on the boat build. I have built three “wooden” boats and am gearing to start a fourth this spring. They have all been plywood/fibreglas/epoxy. You are inspiring me to try one using “real” traditional boat building methods next time – and it might just have to be the OCH skiff.
Doug Bullock says:
Hi Rod – it was watching the kids build the skiff using all the traditional methods that hooked me for sure – it was great fun, I highly recommended it. Funny though, my next project might be a glue & stitch so I think the key is “ just building a boat “ by any method is the important thing, the experience is what counts. Enjoy Doug