Preview: ANJA – A British Columbian Gaff Cutter

26 Responses So Far to “ANJA – A British Columbian Gaff Cutter”

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  Robert Blanton says:

  Inspired sharing about a life of engagement. Thank you.

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  Rod McLaren says:

  As someone who has spent many an hour scavenging in landfills for “good stuff”, I can relate. Wonderful resourcefulness and craftsmanship, Arnt. And of course, another great video from OCH.

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  Tom Pillifant says:

  What a vessel. It’s fantastic the way they sourced all of that hardware and integrated it all just right, not to mention that elegant coach they added. I especially love that tiller-tamer he built. My woodworking friend built me a lovely new tiller for my IF Folkboat and I don’t want to add back a cheap plastic one. I’m stealing their idea. Question, since they’re down in Van, ever run across an @ 36’ gaff- cutter called “Freelance” in the area, maybe over in Victoria? Used to belong to my wife’s granddad, but the family lost track of it after he passed in the early’70’s. Really nice little film. Thanks for letting them talk.

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  Kathleen Roach says:

  Often when I watch OCH videos the featured boat becomes my new “favorite.” I must say, this amazing work of craftsmanship, ingenuity and art is show stopper. So glad you and your buddies are out there doing this kind of work and mentoring others. Both the boat and the video are gorgeous.

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  Samuel Ramsay says:

  I absolutely love this boat. Talk about a boat with an interesting story! It is a work of art and creativity that functions so well and looks like a blast to sail. Beautiful craftsmanship, thank you for sharing this story. I hope you are at the Wooden Boat Festival this year because I’d love to see it in person.

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  David and Margaret Tew says:

  Thanks for the link to Roger Long’s website. He’s a friend and we’ve corresponded for years. I am so pleased to see the design that became ANJA was built… and then turned into such a showpiece and delight for the owners. The rollered staysail and jib set VERY well, something that you don’t often see. Roger’s 17′ pinky was one that I sailed a few times when it was part of the Maine Maritime Museum’s fleet and it was a great little vessel. I didn’t know it eventually was Earle Barlow’s. He had built a 30 some foot ketch that he circumnavigated with. He was quite an artist and built a six foot model of CONSTITUTION for himself but never encased. When he sold it my wife spent a week cleaning the accumulated dust and grime for the new owners. They did encase for display it (in their bedroom!) high atop the third floor of their home overlooking the sea. Roger has a Facebook page devoted to his annual cruises up and down the Intracoastal Waterway for anyone interested.

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  Ben Mendlowitz says:

  I was also very impressed by Arnt’s craftsmanship and artistic attention to detail in the finishing of Anja. The tiller lock caught my eye as extremely clever. However, if you ever sail solo please be aware of the hazard of any tiller lock, auto pilot, or even tying the tiller with the lazy jib sheet (as I do). The beauty of a well balanced rig with some weather helm is that she will round up quickly head to wind and wait as you doggy paddle back should you fall overboard sailing solo. With the tiller locked you tread water as you watch your beautiful creation sail off to the horizon.

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  John Reeves says:

  Arnt – I particularly liked your beautiful cabin table that clamps on to the compression post. Are you able to send some pics that might help me come up with something similar, especially the base/clamping mechanism. A lovely yacht, beautifully finished and fitted out.

  John Reeves

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  Mike Anderson says:

  Nice boat, reminded me of my Tansy Lee, a 23 foot Bluemoon, now up in Seattle and new owner is Ian Weedman.

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  Rod McKenzie says:

  This is a wonderful and educational video. It would be a perfect example of what to use in schools to help direct students who are wondering how to decide on a direction for their future.
  Arnt is clearly passionate about his woodworking and creative art. The message that he displays here to me is “Follow your passion” Very inspiring!

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  Chris King says:

  Right at the beginning of this video, I sail by in the background on a Thunderbird.

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  Michael O'Dwyer says:

  Nicely done, Arnt. Great use of repurposed materials on a beautiful boat with lovely detailing.
  I recognized the Button Swan. It has made an appearance on my dinghy rebuild blog.
  Gaff cutter rigs are a favourite.
  Cheers,
  Mike.

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  Coleen Mennucci says:

  A fun and great story…..so simple and so rich!

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  Paul Tulloch says:

  Loved this video, Arnt. Loved it. I’m building a simple 14.5′ sailing dinghy here in Adelaide, Australia and found this very inspiring. Like you, I have incorporated as much second hand materials that I’ve collected over the years into the build – church pews, wall cladding, floor joists, roof beams, etc. Have done a similar tiller clamp inspired from a cam lock for a wheel on a bike.

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  Chris Noto says:

  A beautiful boat, and a very nicely made video. Thanks.

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  David Flanders says:

  Certainly seems like the right people found/made tyhe right boat. A job well done. Thank you for the tour.

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  David Walsh says:

  Wow as a cabinetmaker / furniture maker who does metal and timber sculptures, furniture and a bit of boatbuilding this was an amazing video. I am currently restoring a 29 foot boat and converting it to a gaff cutter, I too love bronze but alas its very hard to get here in Australia so mostly stainless has been used. I also have scrounged and repurposed many bits and pieces and made hinges a throttle and all sorts. Thanks again I enjoyed this video immensely. PS I might steal your tiller lock its brilliant lol

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  BJ Floyd says:

  Wonderful video of a great story. Love the repurposing of old gear. Thank you for sharing.

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  Daniel Culpepper says:

  Wow, I am just stunned. Creativity and creation on a brilliant level. Thank you so much!!

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  Jay Picotte says:

  Amazing video! Thanks,

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  Peter Robey says:

  Beautiful boat.

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  Richard Greenway says:

  The perfect workshop. As retired Toolmaker having been converted to a wood worker it represents my idea of heaven.

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  Julian Kuffler says:

  Thanks for sharing!
  Shows us all what can be done with some skill, patients and salvage.

  Julian

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  maarten van rossum says:

  excellent organic boat building set up ; Anja is a beautiful bay, very nicely re purposed.
  thanks for the video.

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  John Fuller says:

  What a great story about a classic build and a very interesting person. Enjoyed this very very much. Thank You.

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  John Wujack says:

  Absolute brilliance! Thanks for sharing. Your boat and fixtures, especially the tiller lock, are fantastic. The knot cutouts on the cabinet doors are the best ever! Regards from Poulsbo on Liberty Bay, WA