On Sun, 17 Aug 2008 20:21:19 -0400, Gene Kearns
wrote:

On Sun, 17 Aug 2008 18:52:20 -0500, Vic Smith penned the following
well considered thoughts to the readers of rec.boats:

On Sun, 17 Aug 2008 19:35:08 -0400, hk wrote:


You are assuming the home builder knows what he is doing. I would bet
against that much of the time.

It's my "impression" they usually do.
Guys who work on cars are a different story.
Beware of ads like this"
1974 Camaro $2600
Rebuilt engine and trans.
Lots of extra parts thrown in for free.

I think Harry may actually be onto something.

Homebuilders are homebuilders.... and I see a lot of homebuilt
aircraft built in the most meticulous way.... poorly. These builders
think and feel that they are building with the highest quality
possible and with the utmost attention to detail and craftsmanship.

Feeling that one knows what they are doing and really KNOWING what
they are doing may not always appear in the same place...... best
intentions notwithstanding.

I won't argue about the difference in building planes and boats, since
I've done neither. It is my impression that building a boat like the
Tolman requires mostly the ability to lay on glass/resin/epoxy
properly, some basic woodworking skills, and the desire and patience
to do it all correctly . I have no doubt I could make a sturdy and
seaworthy boat if I went at it, since many have done them and they are
being used. Probably take me 5 times longer or more than justwait.
Know absolutely nothing about homebuilt planes. I figure for every
one made a few thousand boats are made.
But I won't challenge what you say - that's for the boatbuilders to
do, and none have here.
In general I agree with you about the DIYer.
Most should have hired the job done by a pro.
I remember a few occasions when househunting where a proud owner
would show me the basement he had "finished."
The design and/or materials and/or joinery and/or esthetics would
strike me all wrong, and I'd be saying "Nice," but thinking
"Crap. Why did he do this? If I buy this house I'm going to have to
tear all this out."
OTOH, I've seen real nice jobs done by DIYer's, and factory crap.

--Vic