Building a Boat from the Wheels Up

This past season I built a boat and then decided to install a rowing unit. Now, however, I have begun to rethink this. Why not start first with the rowing unit and then build a boat around it? There is a difference. The second approach leads to a unit which has been fully integrated into the boat itself. It becomes part of the boat.  I dare say it actually becomes the centerpiece of the entire design.

If so, store bought units just wouldn't work. I needed to make my own. Not having the right parts, I bought an exercise machine and reconfigured the wheels and the trestle to do what I wanted.   The rest of the parts came from a local hardware store. The most important were additional 1 1/4" grooved wheels. I found them on a patio door repair shelf. They were a match to the original machine.  The wheels were the best find. You don't even need an aluminum trestle.

To begin,  I believed that the center trestle should  also support a passenger or two. There is some logic to this. The rear seat of a traditional boat is actually rather heavy. It may strengthen the transom, but that is not necessary.  I found that I could extend the trestle as far as I needed by fitting a little oak into each end. Later on the trestle will be fastened directly to the stem and the stern probably with a few other supports  The rear seat would fit over the oak. If both rower and passenger shared the same trestle, a lighter and more comfortable seat could be fabricated.

The curved seat inspired from a Chinese stool

Inspiration for these new seats comes from the commercially available racing designs found on the internet, except for one thing. We have a pair of Chinese stools in our living room. The seats are not flat, but gently curved. The curve does a better job of supporting the butt and thus more comfortable. So, I sculpted them from maple along the same curve as the Chinese stool.

My first rowing unit was a sliding seat, a common design which moved forward and aft providing extra leverage with every stroke: nice, but nothing new. Along the way, I also noticed another plus. I could move the sliding seat along the trestle to trim out the boat, especially important when taking on a passenger or even a little gear. On the other hand, there is another design, a sliding rigger which is considerably more efficient.  In the sliding rigger, the seat remains fixed, but the oars and the feet travel along on a second carriage on the trestle. So, I thought, why not incorporate both the sliding seat and the sliding feet into the same unit? The seat would be moved to trim out the boat, then locked in place. Then the "sliding feet" unit could do the rowing.

Side view of the rowing unit

Aft view: the trestle has been extended to incorporate a passenger seat

I'm sure this idea will work. I'm not trying to win any races. I just want to row as far as I can and as long as I can without fatigue and maybe with a friend or two. Speaking of which, I had another inspiration. The sixteen gauge steel poles that form the out riggers are rather awkward when not under way. They make it difficult to pull up alongside another boat or to dock. So I mounted them in such a way as to fold inward with the release of one simple pin.

The outriggers can fold inward for transport or docking

Last, but not least, I paid some attention to the oarlocks themselves. I chose horned oar locks, not the Douglas type. I'm more comfortable with them and find them more versatile. Mounting them took a little thought. I settled on half inch gas pipe tee couplings.  Brass flanges fit nicely inside the tees and just so happened to make perfect sockets for the locks. The tees are sawed down just a little on the bottom so that the oar lock protrudes enough to stick  brass plated linch pins through the little holes on the tips. The linch pins swivel 360 degrees but hold the entire assembly positively in place.

 

Tee couplers, oarlocks, and brass flanges

Oarlocks, brass flanges, and linch pins

The project was easy enough. I had to spend a little on the exercise machine. The most expensive part was getting the steel tubing bent. The local machine shop charged me a hundred and fifty: their minimum. The whole thing weighs about five pounds more, but that's not too bad, considering that it has two seats. Now to build the boat!

The Metaphysics of Boating or Yup! Melville was right!

...Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people's hats off- then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can.

These words come from that great American novel, Moby Dick. Oddly, it's November and I feel the same way. I miss the water! 

Herman Melville was perhaps the first to describe boating as metaphysics. He actually used that word twice in the first chapter.  What does he mean? Perhaps he said it best, "Say you are in the country; in some high land of lakes. Take almost any path you please, and ten to one it carries you down in a dale, and leaves you there by a pool in the stream. There is magic in it."

And just exactly what is that magic?  Well, you don't have to read the whole novel. Just read this from Chris Cross:

Sailing

Well, it's not far down to paradise, at least it's not for me
And if the wind is right you can sail away and find tranquility
Oh, the canvas can do miracles, just you wait and see.
Believe me.

It's not far to never-never land, no reason to pretend
And if the wind is right you can find the joy of innocence again
Oh, the canvas can do miracles, just you wait and see.
Believe me.

[Chorus]
Sailing takes me away to where I've always heard it could be
Just a dream and the wind to carry me
And soon I will be free

Fantasy, it gets the best of me
When I'm sailing
All caught up in the reverie, every word is a symphony
Won't you believe me?

[Chorus]

Well it's not far back to sanity, at least it's not for me
And if the wind is right you can sail away and find serenity
Oh, the canvas can do miracles, just you wait and see.
Believe me.

[Chorus]

You can listen to it if you would like: http://youtu.be/zY2kCJYL1vQ

Chris Cross

  

I love his choice of words: paradise, Never Never Land, tranquility, serenity, innocence, reverie, free, miracles, and especially dream. The feeling of dreaming and the feeling of boating are very similar. On the water, you feel no gravity, only floating and drifting. The dream is a return to a state of innocence, a state of freedom, a way of finding serenity.

Okay, some people never feel that way. They fight the elements. They get sea sick. They can't let go. I know. I often feel the same.

My last trip this season took place in early November. I launched on the Mississippi, at Hidden Falls, just below Lock and Dam #1. The river is narrow here, smaller than the Saint Croix. Kids were playing on the shore nearby. They were skipping stones all the way across. But the current is swift, about 5 MPH.

You have to be diligent, especially in a little dinghy like mine, staying out of the main current and avoiding any snags as well as wakes from the power boats. One little mistake could spell real disaster. You also have to row for all you're worth to make any progress, concentrating on technique, establishing a steady rhythm, etc. Never mind Chris Cross. Boating can be hard work! 

The current picked up as I got closer to the dam. I felt powerless and utterly defeated. So I turned about and headed for home. That's the magic happened. I began to drift. The boat picked up speed and I found myself in the middle of the river, riding on the back of Mother Nature as people of all kinds have done for tens of thousands of years. I was floating, but I could have been flying. My mental state changed accordingly. I had assumed a state of reverie.

And that's the metaphysics of boating. It's not just a journey outward. It's also a journey inward. It is like a dream. You can't help but let go and let the greater world take over. And that kind of letting go can sometimes be the measure of a man.

Okay, dear readers, one more song:

Row row row your boat

gently down the stream

Merrily merrily merrily

Life is but a dream

Wikipedia makes a big deal about the meaning of this little nursery rhyme. You might wish to check it out:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Row,_Row,_Row_Your_Boat

Perhaps you heard the song, Where to now Saint Peter? by Elton John. It's better known as Blue Canoe:

I took myself a blue canoe
And I floated like a leaf
Dazzling, dancing
Half enchanted
In my Merlin sleep

Crazy was the feeling
Restless were my eyes
Insane they took the paddles
My arms were paralyzed


So where to now Saint Peter
If it's true I'm in your hands
I may not be a Christian
But I've done all one man can
I understand the road I'm on
Where all that was is gone
So where to now Saint Peter
Show me which road I'm on
Which road I'm on


The "blue canoe" is a metaphor for the transition from life to whatever is on the other side. Maybe that's what boat rides are all about! Perhaps they are a subtle reminder of our own smallness and thejourney through life and beyond.

Some time long ago, high in the Himalayas, a famous Dali Lama once said, "Life is a dream that we all agreed to have." Every once in a while it takes a row boat ride to remind me of that. Melville was right. That's the metaphysics of boating!

The Prodigal: somewhere between earth and sky

The Good Old Days of Boating

I must confess that I enjoy the solitude of boating. I know, of course, that it's a little ironic to be doing that here in the cities. But the words population density mean nothing once you get out on the water. Granted, there are a lot of boats on a Saturday at Lake Calhoun, Lake Harriet, or Lake Nokomis. The rest of the time, however, it's pretty quiet. Quite often I've shared a lake with just one or two die hard fishermen. A funny thing happens when boaters pass by each other. People are friendly, often acknowledging each other with a wave or a nod, seldom by speaking.  I've sometimes thought about the reason for this. It's a matter of courtesy. They respect each other's privacy. Of course, several times I've been completely alone, too.

Bygone days at Lake Como: Once the shore was lined with boats for rent

I rowed Lake Como any number of times this past summer. I live close by. Rarely have I ever seen another boater. Oddly enough, there are about a half a dozen peddle boats for rent. at the pavilion. The park makes them available, but they are seldom used. Meanwhile, the path which surrounds the lake is filled with joggers and strollers. I am frequently stopped by them when I put in or take out. Almost always the comment is something like, "What a good idea!"

Bygone days at Lake Calhoun

Even boating on  Lake Calhoun has seen better days. The photo above shows the opening of the channel to Lake of the Isles. All those canoes! And most of them are filled with more than two people! Granted, this was a special occasion. There were probably lots of dignitaries and a couple of rousing speeches. But even then the point is being made. Any city improvement which involved the sport of boating was an event...and,  judging from the turn out, a big event at that.

Canoe docks at Lake Phalen: What has happened?

Of course, these pictures were taken before the days of high def televisions, X Box, and laptops. And people still take to the parks today. But the culture has changed. A lake is not something to be savored or explored anymore. There is no process of discovery. It has become something to run around. It's a quiet shift in paradigms.

Of course, the way in which we think has changed too. We still have lots of watercraft here in Minnesota, the "boatingest" state in the union. One in six of us owns something that floats. Ninety percent of them have something with a motor attached. You can see them trailering out of town on I94 on any given Friday afternoon.

Personally, I'm not sure if all of those power boaters are really "getting away from it all," or having a big adventure with all of the other power boats. The Lower Saint Croix, for example, gets pretty crowded on the weekends. I think it's much quieter right here in town!

Lake of the Isles

The bridges which connect Lake Calhoun to the Lake of the Isles

Part of the chain of lakes in Minneapolis, this body of water is a destination in its own right and one of the prettiest lakes in the park system. The city skyline is prominently displayed just beyond the north shore. Two little islands provide a unique and ever changing view, and a number of  beautiful homes can be seen just beyond the shoreline. Equally as interesting is the people who ply the water in an unbroken stream of canoes, paddle boards, and peddle boats from the rental area found on the north beach of Calhoun. There's a lot of happiness here!

The lake even has its own sea monster! Note the the skyline in the background,

As much as I like Lake Calhoun, I must admit that parking there can be quite problematic. There are parking lots, but they require some sort of fee: not so for Lake of the Isles. It's free. And there always seems to be a spot available near the boat launch area and fishing pier found on Lake of the Isles Parkway on the southern end. I would actually recommend that you park and launch there even if you choose to do Lake Calhoun.

Perhaps the most interesting part of this lake is the wildlife. As peopled as it is, the shorebirds don't seem to be spooked easy. They just go about their business and ignore all the commotion. If you like to take pictures you can get in pretty close.

An egret on the south shore

a duck watches me launch my boat

Canadian geese watch me row past

A great blue heron

I had to deal with a little bit of wind on this trip, but rowing the lake with counter weighted oars and a sliding seat rowing unit made little voyage seem pretty much effortless. If you have a boat and are interested in making these improvements, feel free to check the previous entry (Tweaks). I'm never going to be an athletic type, but I must admit that I have learned a lot about rowing this summer.

Lake of the Isles, just north of Lake Calhoun

Tweaks

the Prodigal, complete with tweaks

I've been rowing Lake Como a lot lately. Sorry, nothing new about that. Instead, I've been working on a few "tweaks" for my little boat.

The fourteen foot Alumacraft is probably the most popular boat in Minnesota

Here in Minnesota, the most common boat is the 14 foot Alumacraft. It's rugged, lightweight, inexpensive and dependable, a perfect choice for fishing. The trouble is that it's not necessarily the best choice for the city lakes. The Alumacraft needs to be trailered and parking is not always available at the launch sites. Outboards are not permitted in the cities and an electric trolling motor is useful, but the range is limited. One can always row, but this larger boat can be tough especially when the wind blows. It's just too long to row through the winding stream that connects Round Lake and Keller Lake. Finally, a few of the smaller lakes such as Como, Lake of the Isles, and Hiawatha do not have a launch ramp at all.

I must say that the Prodigal has proven to be a real nice little light water craft.  It's not the best for crossing open waters. It's pretty stable but it just doesn't glide like longer boats. But it's easy to transport, requires no trailer and you can carry it down to almost any shoreline. Most importantly, it's nimble enough to negotiate the narrower channels and bridges in the Chain of Lakes, Round Lake, etc. Little boats tend to track poorly. They do not row easily in a straight line. In these winding channels however, this is a real advantage. You can turn on a dime, pivot in place, and even get sideways to the current.

Nonetheless, I felt a need to tinker, to enhance the performance just a little. The Prodigal will never be a racer.  But that's not the point. Improved performance allows for greater range and, therefore, more time on the water.

A  "store bought" drop-in rowing unit

The first tweak was to remove the fixed seat in the center and install a home made drop-in rowing unit.  Mine is vaguely like the models found in racing craft. The principle is simple. A sliding seat offers the operator a great deal more leverage.   But a real rowing unit in a little dinghy is actually overkill. The sliding seat creates a rocking action, pitching the stem downward, which is not good in a short boat.  A little slide is helpful anyway, but not enough to justify the expense of a store bought unit. (Chesapeake Light Craft sells them for $530.00.)

In a little dinghy, the real benefit of a sliding seat is to trim the boat. Sliding aft helps to launch and beach. Slighting forward trims for a passenger sitting at the stern. Most of all, the sliding seat is perfect for slipping over submerged logs in tight places.

With these thoughts in mind, I decided to rethink this idea. I made a mock up out of wood and used a few small straight casters from the hardware store. It didn't work: too much friction. So I tried teflon glides. Also a flop. Finally I took a good look at the wheels under my wife's Nordic Track. I was sure that they would work better than the hardware store variety.

So I went to the junk store in search of the same. Jackpot! I found an "Alpine Tracker." This particular ski machine would work even better. The "skis" were actually foot pads that rolled back and forth on two stationary extruded aluminum tracks, much the same as the rowing unit from Chesapeake Light Craft. And that was how the final version came together. 

I bought the  Tracker for $3.99.  I splurged and bought a wooden chair for $8.99. I cut out the seat and fastened it to the rolling foot pad. I did not make a version of the foot braces found on most rowing units. Actually when I'm alone I put my feet under the rear seat and push off on the transom.

A trial fit showing an end view of the track and the foot pad/carriage

The completed unit and another view of the original foot pad and extruded aluminum unit from the tracker

The whole thing works just fine. Without the foot braces, the seats slides to and fro, but just a little, perfect for the dinghy. It may not be a first rate rowing unit, but at $12.98, it's wonderful! 

The second tweak was to counterweight the oars. I use a cheap set made Caviness. They are okay, but kind of clunky. The blades seem to be a little on the heavy side. Granted, this might be just a couple ounces, but if you are rowing for hours at a time, that's enough. Counterweights are for sale on the internet, but the going rate is about $70.00. 

This was a real simple fix. I cut a couple pieces of steel gas pipe and slipped them over the handles. Problem solved! Rowing has become a dream! The oars move with a minimum of effort. I haven't gone for an extended trip just yet, but I'm sure that I can row further with the counterweights.

Oars are counter weighted with pipe

I learned something else about oars. Granted, this might be a personal choice. It is certainly a debatable topic, but I found that when it comes to the twin city lakes, shorter seems to be better. I shall explain. My little pram is approximately four feet wide. Using a formula for desired oar length, the ideal oar should be six or more feet long. Some people may even question this, arguing for longer. The longer the oar, the faster the row. I couldn't agree more, especially in open waters.  I've got a pair of seven footers and really enjoy them. On the other hand I have a set of oars which are 5'6".  They get around well in tight places. The Chain of Lakes is connected by a series of bridges and channels, some of which pinch down to twelve feet wide or less, a real problem for longer oars.

This could be a real problem especially in the channel that connects Lake of the Isles to Cedar Lake and Brownie lake. Just as you approach the narrow railroad bridge (which has an opening of only ten feet) a fallen tree lays across the water. One needs to swing over to side and skirt the edge of the far bank, then pivot sharply to get back to the center, and then pivot again to approach the opening straight on. Even 5'6" oars are too long to row through, so it's important to build up as much momentum as possible, ship the oars inside the boat and glide through. Bigger oars are just too clunky for this sort of maneuver.

Finally, where passages get really tight, I bring along a couple of canoe paddles.

These are the tweaks. I had a lot of fun fussing and tinkering. And maybe if you are reading this blog, you might want to try the same thing. Maye you have come up with some other innovations for the Twin City Lakes. If so, I would be interested in hearing from you.

Lake Harriet

A tree lined shore and a spectacular band shell makes this one of the prettiest lakes in the cities. And Harriet is popular too. There's a good number of sailboats moored on the west side. There's racks for canoes, beaches, and a fishing pier. Most importantly, there's a jogging path which seems to be busy at all hours. There's a boat launch on the north side, too. 

 a spectacular band shell on the north side, just west of the boat launch area.

There is just one problem. It's difficult to park, especially if you are launching a boat and don't want to leave it unattended while you search for a spot. Granted, there's a pay parking lot nearby, but it'[s often full. My advice is to put in when things are quiet. I chose 7:30 on a Sunday morning. Oddly enough, there were several fishermen and any number of joggers out there already.

A seagull perched on top of a distant mast: no wind!

Beyond a doubt, this was one of the most peaceful and pleasant rows I had this summer. For some strange reason, I have almost always had to deal with  stiff winds, choppy water, and soaring temperatures. Not so this time! It was 72 degrees and the water was as smooth as glass. Much to my surprise, I found that my little boat rows really easy when it's not fighting the elements.

The Prodigal rows easy in calm water

You can't see them, but Harriet is actually surrounded by homes. Just a little bit of park land buffers them from the lake. Oddly, there was a distinct smell of breakfasts cooking in all that calm air. It made me hungry!

A beach on the north side: A distinct smell of breakfast cooking!

It took me about an hour to row the lake. I wasn't difficult. I stopped often just to relax and take in the view. There was a swimmer doing exactly the same thing.

The launch ramp. Note the little yellow bird

Sadly, summer is rapidly coming to a close. School starts in a couple of days and my time on the water is sure to be limited. This little journey completes all of the major lakes in the cities.

The launch for Lake Harriet is in the park on the north side

By the way, thanks for reading this blog! It's been a real pleasure putting it together. For sure, I will be making more entrees: other smaller lakes in the cities, lakes in the suburbs, and the Mississippi. Stay tuned!

  

Lake Calhoun, Lake of the Isles, Cedar Lake, Brownie Lake

The Chain of Lakes is probably one of the most popular little adventures in the Twin Cities. It is well worth it too. If you like boating, then this is a must. These are the only lakes where there are always dozens of light craft on the water: just about every kind, too: sailboats, canoes, peddle boats, kayaks, and even paddle boards. Expect to spend at least two hours on the water if you choose this path.

A typical launch: lots of ducks!

Parking near Calhoun is always a problem, especially on weekends. So I launched on a Thursday morning. The parking lot on North Beach was fairly empty so that determined my choice. I chose a little sandy space just east of the beach where the sailboats are moored. As usual there were quite a few ducks there, too. Ducks like launches. It is a great way for them to get up on the beach and sun themselves or whatever.

sailboats moored off the north beach of Lake Calhoun

crossing under the first bridge toward Lake of the Isles

I love the old world craftsmanship of these bridges!

I rowed east and under the bridges leading to Lake of the Isles. Then I headed west to the next bridge, which is the channel to Cedar Lake. After that, it was just a matter of following everyone else doing the same. This leg of the trip is my favorite. The channel is small and creates a wonderful feeling of seclusion, odd, perhaps, for one of the most densely populated areas of the city.

another bridge

You may note that most of the channel bridges are made from limestone and reflect a real old world craftsmanship. One exception is a rustic railroad bridge made with timbers. The passage is very narrow, tricky for a row boat, but lots of fun!

The channel leading to Cedar Lake

The channels create a real sense of seclusion

Shortly after I made my way to Cedar Lake and headed north to Hidden Beach. This is one of the only beaches in the area which provides a good deal of shade and tree cover. But this is not why it's called Hidden Beach. It celebrates a special culture and mentality reminiscent of the sixties. You can read more about it if you check it out on Wikipedia. It's got its own entry!

Hidden Beach on Cedar Lake

The timber bridge: a tight squeeze for a row boat

A nut shell pram near Lake Calhoun

Finally, I must say that the way home offered offered a pleasant little surprise all of it's own. Somewhere between Hennepin Avenue and Lake Calhoun, I stumbled upon an apartment building. with a bike rack outside. Chained up to it was a cute little plywood nut shell pram all ready to go. O day of days! There is at least one other soul who understands the whole idea of urban boating!

The Chain of Lakes

Oops!

Today I went rowing with "Mississippi Bob" Brown. Of late I've been working on yet another boat. Bob was kind enough to show me a similar craft and we had a good time swapping stories and talking about boat design as we rowed Lake Nokomis. Bob has built over seventy boats in his career and he really knows his craft.

And then, just as we pulled up on shore, two young men in a catamaran capsized a few hundred yards away. It got stuck pretty bad. The mast had buried itself in the mud and the wind pushed it in even deeper. Bob rowed out to help just as the mast worked itself free. The men were just fine and they let the wind push them back to the safety of a sandy beach.

The Capsized Cat

I've seen similar scenes play out before. Just last week I took my friend Rachel out for a row. A fairly big sailor passed us a speed and then, as it tacked off in another direction, it nearly capsized very close to our little row boat.

Rowing with Rachel

I can understand why. People wait all week to get out on the water. Getting underway and catching the wind is very euphoric. The trouble is that sailing takes a little getting used to. It's difficult to get right under a full wind, especially if you just borrowed the boat from a friend. Better to take it easy. Keep your wits about you. Slow and steady wins the race!

"Mississippi Bob" Takes Rachel for a spin in his gaff rigged Sailor

I've got my hands full with building that next rowboat right now, but I am thinking sailing too. Can't have enough fun on the water!

Dragon Boat Races on Lake Phalen

Dragon Boat races on Lake Phalen have become a great summer tradition here in Saint Paul. I believe dragon boats originated in China a few thousand years ago. The original purpose is a little unclear, but dragons are supposed to bring good luck. Each boat looks a lot like a big canoe capable of holding 18-24 participants. At the stem is a large dragon head artfully carved and painted. Ay the signal, everyone paddles to a drum beat. Kinda fun!

Zack watching the dragon boats

On shore a little festival is set up for the crowd including martial arts demos, Tae Kwan Do, meditation, and lots of good Asian food.

In my case, it was a good excuse to hit the water and watch the show up close and personal. I trucked over the Prodigal and my grandsons' boat for my friend Zack. As is often the case, we were the only craft out on the water, excepting the dragon boats and a few county boat patrols.

We had a great time, of course. Next year I will have to go again!

Grandchildren: What fun!

The purpose of this blog is to report on boating light water craft within the Twin City area. But I am afraid I've gotten a little bit sidetracked in the last few weeks. There has been bad weather. My little pickup has needed a lot of work. Most of all, the grandchildren came came for a visit.

They have a little seven foot pram all their own. This was the first time they could take it out, So their dad, Evan, took them rowing. They are just a touch too young to be out by themselves, so dad gave them their first lesson. They did well, of course. I'm proud of them!

 Both boys pulling together

So I thought I would indulge by sharing a couple photos with you. Enjoy!