JEM Watercraft

Plans arrived today for my second strip boat, the Northwind. Unfortunately I am having knee surgery next Friday so it will be about a month or so before this boat can get started. On the plus side that should give me time to figure out what wood I want to build this one out of.
Matt, My stripped Freedom hits the wall at 5.2 MPH, any ideas on what I can expect out of the Northwind?

I estimate you should be able to get up to about 5.7-5.9 mph on short bursts. Going much over 6 will be with you about having a heart attach and pushing a big bulb of water.

The difference you'll mostly notice is in cruising speed. She'll go significantly further with one stroke as compared to Freedom.

Getting closer to starting the boat.Had surgery this morning. Now all I have to do heal and then get after it.

I am thinking of trying to find White Cedar for this boat. Have a large cedar/redwood dealerin Waco, gonna go by and see if they stock or can order it. I am thinking of trying to do some inlays on this boat, to dress it up even more than regular strip boat.

I recieved the plans and I am getting ready to start. Ron and I have a few hunting/fishing trips to do then I will get going on it. I am going to build this boat and then I guess I am going to have to build a long, slender and fast boat to keep up with Ron. I am not saying the Freedom and the Northwind are slow but they are big wide boats made for cruising and camping.

You don't let any grass grow do you

I am getting things in order to start. I ordered some graphite and other supplies Thursday. It has been awhile since I have built, I sure hope I remember how .
I just finished reading "The Ultimate Canoe Challenge" and I am currently reading "One Incredible Journey"by Verlen Kruger. The more I read of his adventures the more it makes me look forward to building the NorthWind. Verlen must have been one amazing man to punish hisself the way he did to find out what was around the next bend.
I am going to talk TxRiverRat into paddling from Waco to Calvert for their maiden voyage, about 80+miles. Should be a lot of fun to take a long trip. Ron and I have paddled quite abit together and I have no doubt that we could/can do that is three days, but four would be a comfortable paddle.
I am going to start glueing the patterns up this week and hope to get the forms cut out by the weekend. I still do not have my new shop built yet so I guess I will have to build it under the shade tree. It will be built out of Western Red Cedar with some pine thrown in for good measure. It will be a rudder installed also.
As much as I love my Freedom I hope she is not jealous of have to share her water time with a new boat in the stable. Up until this point the Stripped Freedom has been the best boat I could hope for, But I think the NorthWind may be a better trip boat. It has been awhile coming but hopefully I will be able to start making some posts of the construction shortly.

Here is what you start with. All of the individual patterns are cut-out and glued to plywood to make the form of the boat.

Yehaaaa can I borrow it when you finish it
HU HU PLeaseeeeeeeeeeeeee
Ron

I heard on the Grapevine there might be two NorthWinds being built at the same time.

got a little work to do to make that happen but won't take too long.