I have been sailing for about 20 yrs and before that spent most of my
life canoeing Florida rivers. A little over a year ago, I decided the
sailboat wouldnt take me to the really interesting places I wanted to
go. Most of these places are in shallow water and I wanted to be able
to beach my boat. So, I decided to build a 20' Tolman Skiff. I had NO
experience with power boats at all and had never piloted one. I
finished "Syzygy" in late November and launched her the day after
Thanksgiving. So far, I have taken her out only 4 times making
improvements each time.
So, here is my reaction.........its sort of a letdown. Whenever I got
back from a long day of sailing, I would be exhausted and feel like I'd
had an adventure and feel like I'd accomplished something. After going
up and down the St. Marks River today in the Tolman, I dont feel that
way at all. No feeling of being tired, no feeling of accomplishment
(except for having finished my boat), not sure what to think. I am no
fisherman although we will give it a try. I dont know if we will feel
any different after we use her to go some cool places.
A couple years ago, I sailed my 28' S2 sailboat from Sarasota to St.
MArks and came into the river late on a cold January night. We were
cold as hell but I was so excited and full of accomplishment that I
didnt care if I was numb from the cold as I spotlighted the markers. I
still have my sailboat and may go back to her to get that feeling back.

On 20 Jan 2007 20:04:29 -0800, "Frogwatch"
wrote:

I have been sailing for about 20 yrs and before that spent most of my
life canoeing Florida rivers. A little over a year ago, I decided the
sailboat wouldnt take me to the really interesting places I wanted to
go. Most of these places are in shallow water and I wanted to be able
to beach my boat. So, I decided to build a 20' Tolman Skiff. I had NO
experience with power boats at all and had never piloted one. I
finished "Syzygy" in late November and launched her the day after
Thanksgiving. So far, I have taken her out only 4 times making
improvements each time.
So, here is my reaction.........its sort of a letdown. Whenever I got
back from a long day of sailing, I would be exhausted and feel like I'd
had an adventure and feel like I'd accomplished something. After going
up and down the St. Marks River today in the Tolman, I dont feel that
way at all. No feeling of being tired, no feeling of accomplishment
(except for having finished my boat), not sure what to think. I am no
fisherman although we will give it a try. I dont know if we will feel
any different after we use her to go some cool places.
A couple years ago, I sailed my 28' S2 sailboat from Sarasota to St.
MArks and came into the river late on a cold January night. We were
cold as hell but I was so excited and full of accomplishment that I
didnt care if I was numb from the cold as I spotlighted the markers. I
still have my sailboat and may go back to her to get that feeling back.

Maybe fishing will help, but if you haven't had the urge for it yet,
it may not be in your blood. Ever thought of a sail catamaran with
a kicker? Shallow draft, and you actually sail. That was originally
my dream, but it hasn't panned out. Might even be able to build your
own if you're so inclined.

--Vic

Vic Smith wrote:
On 20 Jan 2007 20:04:29 -0800, "Frogwatch"
wrote:

I have been sailing for about 20 yrs and before that spent most of my
life canoeing Florida rivers. A little over a year ago, I decided the
sailboat wouldnt take me to the really interesting places I wanted to
go. Most of these places are in shallow water and I wanted to be able
to beach my boat. So, I decided to build a 20' Tolman Skiff. I had NO
experience with power boats at all and had never piloted one. I
finished "Syzygy" in late November and launched her the day after
Thanksgiving. So far, I have taken her out only 4 times making
improvements each time.
So, here is my reaction.........its sort of a letdown. Whenever I got
back from a long day of sailing, I would be exhausted and feel like I'd
had an adventure and feel like I'd accomplished something. After going
up and down the St. Marks River today in the Tolman, I dont feel that
way at all. No feeling of being tired, no feeling of accomplishment
(except for having finished my boat), not sure what to think. I am no
fisherman although we will give it a try. I dont know if we will feel
any different after we use her to go some cool places.
A couple years ago, I sailed my 28' S2 sailboat from Sarasota to St.
MArks and came into the river late on a cold January night. We were
cold as hell but I was so excited and full of accomplishment that I
didnt care if I was numb from the cold as I spotlighted the markers. I
still have my sailboat and may go back to her to get that feeling back.

Maybe fishing will help, but if you haven't had the urge for it yet,
it may not be in your blood. Ever thought of a sail catamaran with
a kicker? Shallow draft, and you actually sail. That was originally
my dream, but it hasn't panned out. Might even be able to build your
own if you're so inclined.

--Vic

I actually bought the study plans for the F32 sail trimaran before
deciding the build the Tolman. However, if I build another sailboat,
it will probably be an AS29 sharpie (shallow water capable, mast comes
down easily). I'd build her to be 33' long, maybe modified with a
diesel.

"Frogwatch" wrote in message
ps.com...
I have been sailing for about 20 yrs and before that spent most of my
life canoeing Florida rivers. A little over a year ago, I decided the
sailboat wouldnt take me to the really interesting places I wanted to
go. Most of these places are in shallow water and I wanted to be able
to beach my boat. So, I decided to build a 20' Tolman Skiff. I had NO
experience with power boats at all and had never piloted one. I
finished "Syzygy" in late November and launched her the day after
Thanksgiving. So far, I have taken her out only 4 times making
improvements each time.
So, here is my reaction.........its sort of a letdown. Whenever I got
back from a long day of sailing, I would be exhausted and feel like I'd
had an adventure and feel like I'd accomplished something. After going
up and down the St. Marks River today in the Tolman, I dont feel that
way at all. No feeling of being tired, no feeling of accomplishment
(except for having finished my boat), not sure what to think. I am no
fisherman although we will give it a try. I dont know if we will feel
any different after we use her to go some cool places.
A couple years ago, I sailed my 28' S2 sailboat from Sarasota to St.
MArks and came into the river late on a cold January night. We were
cold as hell but I was so excited and full of accomplishment that I
didnt care if I was numb from the cold as I spotlighted the markers. I
still have my sailboat and may go back to her to get that feeling back.


Most sailors will keep on sailing until they are unable to do so. Then you
accept your fate and become a power boater.
Sounds like you haven't hit that wall yet.......neither have I.

In my opinion, many of the most successful transitions from sail to
power involve trawlers.

Same sort of speed, the feeling of a displacement or at least
semi-displacement hull in the water, some need (although much smaller)
to take winds and currents in account, etc.

Particularly if you go with a single screw trawler you must develop a
specific skill set to handle the vessel in an admirable manner, and
there is some satisfaction in doing so.

With high powered twin screw boats you can defy nature a bit and get
away with it more easily than with a slow moving single inboard.