Heartland Classics

Hey! I am only 2 (I’ll be three in March) and I cannot write yet, so I asked my dad to help with telling about my boat. I’m learning a great deal about wooden boats by working on them with my Dad. When we purchased my boat it was in great shape with the exception of small sections of rot on the keel and spray rails. I’ve been helping Dad sand and we hope to apply a few coats of Smith’s Penetrating Epoxy and paint to the sides and hull within the next few weeks.

Our good friend Phil White took the 1958 Evinrude 18 hp Fastwin back to his house in November for fresh paint and some mechanical work and I ask my Dad each day when we’re going to get it. Dad tells me to be patient as I’ll be very happy with the results. I can’t wait to take my brother Slater and Mom for a ride when we finish my boat. Look for me on the water in 2006!

I’ve learned a lot about boats in the last twelve months. Dad took me to the shop each time he worked on my boat in hopes that I would pick up on what he was doing. One thing I noticed is that this project has taken Dad a lot longer than he told Mom it would take. A few weeks turned in to a few months and now a year later he’s almost done.

Thirteen coats of paint had to be stripped and sanded from the hull. A few boards needed to be replaced, the Keel board needed to be re-beaded and Dad says he needed to work some bad words out of his system. Following a few coats of Smith’s Penetrating Epoxy Dad decided that he would make better use of his limited free time if he brought the boat home to paint and varnish. Now, several coats of primer and a few coats of good looking green bottom paint later, Dad is two coats into painting the sides white. Next step is to varnish the transom and update some varnish around the spray rail. Dad needs to update some interior varnish this winter and he promises me we’ll be ready to debut the boat at the Garvan Gardens show in March 2006.