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Friday, March 12, 2010

Rockin the (ice) Boat

Flashback to 2010:  From archives... Back in the winter of 2010, the Boat building non-profit ";Rockin the Boat"; (old friend Adam Green, founder & director) launched their ice boat built in their shop over the summer of 2010 by teens from the Bronx. This was the first time on the ice for just about all the students. Tony, their instructor, helps them set it up.  Dock Shuter, Ricky Aldrich & myself offer guidance. 
There was little to no wind, and a few design issues that would have challenged its ability to sail. Still it was a successful culmination for the students who enjoyed a freezing day on the frozen Hudson River. 
Yet, in the end, it was a sad day for all as we watch the crash of a training jet just north of the Rhinecliff Bridge ( a mile? from us, killing the local Red Hook doctor who was flying it around us moments before.
Long Journey from the Bronx to Barrytown. 

Launching the stern steerer just north of Astor Point, Barrytown, NY.
Oak plank, T iron on oak runners.



Tony & students step the mast

Ice was softening by the time it was fully rigged and there was little wind.



The boat currently is stored at Rokeby.

Happy boat builders & first time ice boaters.


Note the Rhinecliff Bridge in background.  It is ~ 1 mile south.
We watched this training jet buzz by us repeatedly, a very unusual sight.
As it attempted a vertical ascent near the bridge, it stalled and plunged into the river less than a mile from us
out on the ice. We were stunned and saddened.






Not the only boat on (in) the ice that day...

Cabin cruiser locked in at Astor Point, Feb. 2010.


Tuesday, February 9, 2010

George Buckhout's Tool Box



Long Story, but back in 2010-ish I acquired several items that belonged to ice yacht builder George Buckhout.
First I bought copy of the Club Book of 1890 on Ebay, which was Buckhout's personal copy. The seller was from Poughkeepsie. He tracked me down later saying he had the toolbox, which he planned to part out. I bought the box & tools and half of the planers.
Here's a short write up about the tool box I did for an expo at the FDR historic site a few years back



How it looked when it was first opened.



Check out the long bronze stanchion  in the bottom on the left. Here's an ad for them from 1930:



Drafting weights ("dolphins"?)  I had to search about these:
"They’re called drafting weights, lofting ducks, spline weights and other names. They are used to bend damp wood strips and pieces. The pointed tips hold the wood in place, while the weights prevent any movement as the wood dries.  In this way, wood can be molded permanently into curved, bent, or even spiraled shapes." 
The rusty piece, upper right, is a mold for making these.



               
                   A torn letter was in a box with references to an iceboat he was building. 

                    Also, a sketch for a runner plank.



                       The toolbox on display at the Wallace Center in Hyde Park, the FDR home & library,
                                      when FDR's Hawk was on display.


                      Buckhout's planes had been removed and I was only able to get 6 or so
                       from the collection, to go with the chest.  The seller wanted to keep the others. 
                      Here are some of them:






George Buckhout's Obit -  June 15, 1948: