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FANCY FREE / Ray Wulff / Long Island, NY / amwulff@msn.com / 1-17-01: Currently I have all the frames and the center board trunk built. I am located on Long Island NY so I am waiting for warmer weather to set up the boat on the building jig.
5-15-01: The boat is now set up and the side planking on. The bottom is next. For anyone building Fancy Free I found a few things you might consider. I built the motor well last winter and installed it when the boat was set up. This seemed easier than doing in the order given in the instructions. You have to install the 1/2″ bolt in the mooring bits and stem prior to putting on the sides or you won’t be able to get it in. If you set up the boat at the height given in the plans the mooring bits will be to long and hit the floor. To correct this I rounded the lower ends of the bits so that when the boat is righted they can be swung in to place without hitting the keel.
8-28-02: It is now a race to see if I can get it in the water this year. All Construction is done and I am about to start the rigging.
9-22-02: Attached are two photos of the first sail of my version of Fancy Free. It was launched 19 Sept 2002. It sails better than I expected. It’s a great little boat. It’s name is the Annie B. (see Customer Photos)
FANCY FREE / B. Watson / Idaho / bwatson@co.kootenai.id.us / 4-25-02: I started construction of the Fancy Free in January, 2002. Boat is being built in a large garage/shop where I live in North Idaho. Presently getting ready to fiberglass the hull.
3-27-03: I completed the hull and turned it just before Christmas 2002. It looked pretty impressive after it was turned upright. Since then I have completed the rudder and tiller, the cabin sole and the decking for the v-berth. The mooring bits have been installed and I have two nice pieces of Sitka spruce for the gaff and the bowsprit. I’ve received the Glen-l hardware kit and the spar kit should be arriving today. In the near future I’ll be installing the motor well, the settee and the counter/locker in the galley. I will be ordering the rigging kit and the sails soon.
FANCY FREE / Blaine Dymock / Hillsboro, OR /blainedymock@hamptonaffiliates.com / 2-28-03: I have recently completed construction of all frames, the transom and stem for this boat. I have cut all the parts for the Centerboard case and will be putting that together over the next few days. I hope to set all the frames and the keel in the next few days. I have never built a boat before, but I have done a lot of cabinet work. I’am actually finding this to be a bit easier so far. The epoxy work is new for me. Still puzzling through what mix and fillers work best for certain jobs. I work in the lumber business, so I have been able to get some really great wood, at cost, from a number of my contacts. Hardel Mutual Plywood produces some really high grade Doug Fir Marine AA Plywood, for anyone who lives on the west coast. They operate out of Chehalis, WA.
3-28-03: I have stepped back from adding more pieces on the boat and have been catching up on barrier coating and painting all those parts that are going to be difficult to reach in the near future. I have started building the motor well and will be trying to place it shortly. I decided to put it in place prior to planking the bottom. I think this will be easier in the long run.
FANCY FREE / Fatboy / Bayfield, Wisconsin / jayg50@yahoo.com / 10-13-06: I have frames,stem and transom built.
FANCY FREE / Derek Poinsette / Livingston, Montana / mergus_ak@yahoo.ca / 5-28-07: Frames and building form are complete, and I am in the process of putting together the centerboard trunk and scarfing boards for chine logs, sheer clamps, etc. I am also preparing to construct the keel out of two layers of 13/16″ x 12′ white oak laminated together. 10-2-07: Hull is complete. I am waiting for the bottom paint to dry before I buy a case of beer and have a hull-righting party. I am brainstorming over what to do about with the motor well. It is pretty small for my new Honda 5-hp 4-stroke. It seems like it would be nice to be able to lift the rudder and steer with the outboard, but this will require significant modificiation of the well and cockpit. I would love to hear from anyone out there who currently sails a Fancy Free. (see Customer Photos)
FANCY FREE / Jim McManus / Appleton, Wisconsin / jpmcmanus10@yahoo.com / 9-15-07: My son and I started building frames late last year. We now have all the frames built and are starting on the assy jig. We had to stop building last winter because we’re in an unheated garage, so the next task is to make the garage winter proof. Simultaneously, we’ll be building the centerboard box. I’m an avid modeler, so I’m familiar with epoxy work, but I’ve never built anything this large before.
FANCY FREE / Dan Dreamingbear / Marina del Rey, CA / david.null@uclmail.net / 4-18-08: Purchased derelict boat; refurbishing. (See Customer Photos)
FANCY FREE / Charles Perkins / Reno, NV / writeguy@sbcglobal.net / 5-20-08: Hi, my name is Chuck Perkins and I hail out of Reno, NV. Recent earthquake swarms, a depressed real estate market and a grown daughter that has recently fallen back into the nest have all conspired to dash my midlife crisis dream of retirement and floating/motoring off into the sunset. Glen-L to the rescue. My garage is now my refuge and a set of Fancy Free plans my sustinence. I am well into the planning and learning phase. So well, in fact, that I am about ready to flip a coin when it comes to crucial decisions, some of which, if my research is correct, suggests that blood has been spilled in defense of opposing positions…. Doug Fir ply or Okueme? Doug Fir frames or White Oak? Encapsulation or just fg the exterior hull and deck? Cpes? 4 oz, 6 oz, 10 oz. or other? Scarf or block? Hull insulation? And where do you find those cool Bronze ports while only paying half of a king’s ransom. Arrrrgh! (Arrrrgh is a word that came from pirates who obviously built their own boats).
After the coin toss – I am going with DF planking,,, IF can find a quality source. The “DF checks” talk has me slightly rattled. DF for frames and still slightly clueless for everything else. I have decided to encapsulate. West System 105/207 or similar. Currently, I am trying a repackaged epoxy on a new, obscenely expensive Ida-Sailor mahogany rudder. Great price and sales pitch, If it doesn’t work you will probably never hear from me again as the vendor source info will have already gone to the grave with me. I’m going with scarfing the plywood — I ain’t afraid. My mind is whispering 3/4 rigid insulation from Home Depot. I have a sick fascination with fit assembling the boat with copious numbers of dry wall screws then dissassembling the whole thing, encapsulating every thing except the exterior surfaces, re drilling, gluing and assembling with epoxy slathered Glen-L bronze screws and finally fiberglassing the hull and Deck. Good project for a lunatic with a life sentence. Seriously, Any correspondence from current/ former Fancy Free builders would be extremely appreciated. Please send to writeguy@sbcglobal.net Arrrgh!
FANCY FREE / Matthew Trent / Tacoma, WA / notorioustinman@yahoo.com / 2-17-09: I hope to name the boat after my mother in honor of what must have been the most stressful years of her life…my birth to graduation! I suppose the name is up to the powers that be. Perhaps I should invest in a sacrificial lamb and a really good bottle of rum! It couldn’t hurt. I live in Tacoma, WA and sail weekly on the Pacific Northwest’s biggest protected saltwater pond. That’s right; the good ole Puget Sound. You could spend a lifetime gunkholing her shores and never see it all: Though it’s a worthy enough mission objective to ensure many thousands of hours at the till. Har..Har! I recently retired from the Army and have chosen in sound body and mind, (if I can use the two statements in the same sentence!) to build a boat myself. I have owned many old Woodie’s, but never delved any deeper than light restoration. This project promises to be a deeply fulfilling use of my newly acquired “freedom”. I currently have the hull constructed, and am in the process of glassing the bottom. This Washington rain prolongs the cure rate, but I hope to have her painted and righted by the end of the month. It isn’t a large percentage of the build, but having gotten this far in just six weeks I feel I’m well ahead of schedule.
FEATHER / Bill Snyder / wfsnyder@msn.com / 8-26-98: Frames built and assembled on building form. C-FLEX, mat and cloth applied. Ready for filler putty coat. Hope to right hull this weekend. 9-10-98: Righted, form removed, permanent forms bonded, deck beam installed, daggerboard case, daggerboard, tiller, rudder built. 9-27-98: Interior C-Flex installed, foredeck installed, cockpit mat and cloth applied. 10-12-98: Cockpit interior finished. To do: dagger board case installation, final sanding, paint and hardware.
FIFE / Shawn Auman / WI / shawna@habinc.com / Started 7-8-00: Purchased plywood and began cutting planking. 7-13-200 have glued butt jonits on all planking, ready stitch. 3-20-01: Finished 9-19-00: This boat was a very enjoyable boat to build. It turned out even better than I expected. I have included some photos of the construction and launch day. My 80-year-old grandparents also enjoyed a nice a trip around the lake. She handles very well and is very stable. 3-28-03: Just finished a KidRow. (See Customer Photos)
FIFE / Jeff Brunot / jeff_brunot@yahoo.com / 3-7-01: Beginning the second coat of resin putty on the hull seams. 3-28-03: Thanks for writing… Yes, the Fife has been complete for two GREAT boating seasons!!! I have had it several local lakes and the Chatahoochee River which flows through Atlanta, Georgia. Makes a great fishing boat! – I put a 46# elec. trolling motor on her which I can get about 5 hrs of enjoyment on per charge… That rowing stuff is too much work…(See Customer Photos)
FIFE / Tal Hopkins / Peterborough, ON, CANADA / talh@nexicom.net / 9-13-02: Construction is just starting; have been studying and reading all I can on the subject. I have taken the ‘scaled’ plans and had them laminated. They now sit proudly in the workshop where I can plan and dream without fear of spilling coffee and ruining the sheets. The boat already has a name…the… ‘MARY K’ . Named after my bride of thirty years. Hopefully the building and eventual launch will be as successful as our marriage.
FISHERMAN / Steve Schaible / email address no longer valid 3-27-03 / 7-28-98: Started. 8-5-98: Finished frames, keel, transom, transom knee, stem, breasthook, chine block, ripped all longitudinal stock, and finished building form. Starting assembly. 9-27-98: Exterior of hull planked and fiberglassed, 80% sanded. 10-5-98: Hull painted, turned over. Floor installed. 10-31-98: Interior joinery work complete, ready to varnish interior and deck. 11-30-98: Finished (Pics coming-will be put in Cust Photos)
FISHERMAN / Randy Ciochon / rciochon@scantron.com / 5-8-01: Started building in September of 2000. Just completed planking and filling screw holes. Drilling hole for bow eye. Ready to fiberglass. 3-30-03: It’s taken me longer then i would have liked (2 and a half years). I really only have time to work on in the winter months. And i also mixed in building a new house for the family. So I’ve had a few delays but am really excited at the thought of launching this spring. I purchased an 2000 25 horse mercury this winter, brand new out of the box. I plan on painting in the next couple of weeks w/latex house paint. I also installed the cable steering kit and a stereo. I’ve been waiting for the maiden voyage before i sent you my thankyou email for all the advice you’ve given me in the building process.
FISHERMAN / Gary Angel / Perth, Western Australia / gary@gidgenet.com.au / 2-27-05: I have just planked one side of the hull. 4-25-05: I have finished planking the hull today, Anzac Day. It is a very satisfying thing to stand back and look at what I have created so far. Next step is to fill and sand, then fibreglass. I have purchased a Yamaha 25hp 4 stroke motor with forward controls, which I found on ebay. I am getting it transported from Melbourne to Perth next week. 7-28-05: The deck is now installed. I am ready to fit seating. The project is so enjoyable to work on and the boat looks fantastic. The design is excellent and the quality of construction is reasonable. I have made 2 or 3 significant mistakes due to lack of awareness of what I am doing but these will be corrected as I go along. The beam of the boat is one inch more than the plans say. Bonus. When I turn the hull back upside down I will add some layers of ply near the transom to build it up (to a flat bottom) because I have a problem with the bottom of the boat not being flat in this section. The weight of the transom pulled the keel downwards during construction and caused a warp in the bottom which I understand will lead to porpoising when I eventually get the boat on the water (refer Webletter 58, 11 Jun 2004 on this site). 2-24-06: Hull is glassed and painted, including some attractive striping (I think it’s attractive anyway). She’s now right-way-up and I am ready to glass and paint the deck and paint the interior. I am also getting near to completion with the Glen-L 650 Series trailer. I love working on this project! Some photos of us turning the hull are available athttp://www.flickr.com/photos/gidgegary/show/ I am struggling to settle on a suitable name for the boat but will have to pin it down soon as it won’t be long till launch day. Maybe 6 – 8 weeks away I estimate. 10-13-06: After 1 year and 9 months of build time, Fisherman was launched at Guildford on the Swan River on 2 October 2006. We had an official launch and naming ceremony and she was named RIFFRAFF. I am very pleased with how she goes. We put her into the Indian Ocean on 13 October and she pulled a ski tube without any problems. She is fast enough to get me frightened, that’s all I need. What a fun boat. Versatile enough to enjoy ski-tubing with the kids as well as do some serious fishing. The fishing is what she was built for so I must get her to sea for a fishing trip soon. (see Customer Photos)
FLATS FLYER / Doug Wehrly / Austin, Texas / dwehrly@gmail.com / 1-10-2011: Installing chine logs & shear clamps.
FLYING SAUCER / Dave Lewis / Akron, Ohio / dandl@neo.rr.com / 9-25-02: Received plans last weekend and have finished constructing building form members. Now starting on the frames. 11-11-02: All frames complete. Starting on the Transom. Purchased mahogany lumber and Douglas-fir plywood from Homestead Hardwoods near Sandusky, OH. Traced frames using the carbon paper technique. Cut them out with band saw, and sanded to final shape with pedestal sander. Assembling frames with Epoxy Grip and Bronze Fasteners. Forgot about leaving stock on the transom frame bottom and had to cut a new one. Bought a 1977 25hp Johnson 20″ outboard from Atwood Lake Boats, will need to raise transom accordingly. 1-31-03: Instead of raising transom for 20″ shaft motor, I converted the outboard to a 15″ length with used parts. The 1977 Johnsons are easily converted. I used huricane brackets to fasten the frames to the building form. A friend found a jet ski trailer which I will modify to trailer the “Saucer”. Keel, chine blocks and shear are all now glued and fastened in place. I used twisted rope to hold the shears in place for fastening. I’m starting the fairing process now. 3-28-03: I’m still working in the evenings on my Flying Saucer. The fairing process is taking some time, but I’m not rushing this step either. I rented a hand electric planer to speed things up. I hope to start the planking in the next week or so. 10-15-04: After exactly 2-years, my Flying Saucer was launched last Sunday. The engine is a 25-hp, 1977 Johnson, and the boat really zooms even with two kids and two adults aboard. The entire project was very rewarding and we plan on spending a lot of time on the lake next Spring and Summer. Thanks for all your advice and support! Some of the material sources are as follows: Mahogany lumber and Douglas Fir Plywood – Homestead Hardwoods, Vickery, OH (near Sandusky) 419-684-9582; Epoxy Shield, bronze fasteners, fiberglass kit – Glen-L; Varnish – Petit Captains VarnishPrimer – Petit 6149 Easy Poxy; Paint – Petit 3175 Easy Poxy, both primer and paint were brushed on. Seat foam and vinyl: www.rochfordsupply.com (see Customer Photos)
FLYING SAUCER / Bob Ellis / ellis198@yahoo.com / 1-8-02: Started the Flying Saucer December ’02. I Snowbird and needed a winter project in California. I chose this boat because I wanted an old classic, something like me, and it was just right for my like-new 30hp Evinrude. It was previously on my Glen-L Sweet Caroline. When I sold it, the buyer didn’t want the engine. Anyway, the Saucer is framed up and I’m installing the chine logs, the toughest thing in boat building. I learned my lesson with the Bo-Jest and its chine, so this time I’m laminating it with two 1/2″ thick pieces. Another change from the plan was to extend the stem back to frame four (4). I have built other boats where the plan shows bending the keel up forward, and invariably the boat will porpoise. This boat is fun, it looks just like the one my brother built over 50 years ago. He had an Evinrude, 22 hp opposing twin. 2-28-03: My “Flying Saucer” is fiberglassed and ready for roll-over. 4-10-03: The Flying Saucer is rolled-over, painted and all framed up. Plan to wait until next year for the deck so that I can get the steering installed etc. I’ll need a next year project anyway! 1-27-04: The boat is finished and launched. (see Customer Photos)
FLYING SAUCER / Dick Sheffield / Centreville, MD / mugsgilbert@msn.com / 1-31-04: Have begun constuction in my garage in Centreville.
FLYING SAUCER / Jeffrey Bell / Springhill, FL / jfbell@earthlink.net / 8-9-04: Just completed the building form. I am building my Flying Saucer outside, under a 12ft x 20ft canopy. I had some 4×4 posts laying around, so I decided to use them. I cemented them in the ground and built the building form and attached them to the posts. Tomorrow I will start the frames.
FLYING SAUCER / Michael Telep / Oshawa, Ontario, Canada / telep@on.aibn.com/ 5-14-05: I’ve just received my frame kit. Starting on building form.
FLYING SAUCER / Bob Beaudin / Grand Blanc, MI / beaudin@ameritech.net / 5-28-05: I have just received the frame kit & starting the building form.
FLYING SAUCER (Modified to single cockpit) / John Korte / Leesburg, AL /born2fish@tds.net / 7-5-06: Mounting frames to the boat form.
FLYING SAUCER / Derek Guerin / Bayou Pigeon, Louisiana /dguerin@guyhopkins.com / 7-28-06: Building form is finished, I have all of the frames cut out and dry fit together. Cutting Battens, sheer, and chine out. This weekend I plan to put frames together, secure them to form and put keel and stem together.
FLYING SAUCER / Michael Burgio / MCB49@aol.com / 10-20-06: I started my Flying Saucer two months ago and have today epoxied on the second and final lamination for the starboard sheer. I am using all Phillipine mahoghany and was surprised –that I was able to make the bends without hot water towels. I spent a week slowly clamping the sheers tighter each day until the bends were complete. Somehow I got lucky. I am going to start the fairing process, before I cut in the four battens, tomorrow and am concerned about the process. I sure would like some extra experienced eyes to give me some hints. Thank you GlenL for all of your help, you guys and gals are the BEST.
FLYING SAUCER / William Levien / b_levien@yahoo.com / 2-1-07: It’s been a year since I first saw your plans online and have not stopped thinking about building this boat. I did not have any space in a 1 bedroom apartment, so I got hooked on building scale boats in a corner of my living room. I just got married and moved into a house where my wife is kind enough to let me take over the garage. Now I have the plans, bought some lumber, and dove in with the help of some great people on the forum. I am hoping to get the boat in the water by late this summer.
FLYING SAUCER / Michael Wright / Middle Ridge, Queensland, Australiamick.wright2@defence.gov.au / 9-21-10: Alright, so after reviewing the plans and measuring my shed I have now started work on my Flying Saucer. Work commenced with the building form which I have managed to manufacture out of old pallets to keep costs down. Then once the timber arrived I cut all of the frame pieces, stem, breasthook, transom knee and transom. I then realised that I had forgotten the 12 degree angle required on the transom and had to adjust accordingly. I have used Merbau for the frame and first grade marine ply for all plywood pieces. Construction ceased for one week while I waited for the epoxy to show up, but now it is here I plan to have all the pieces glued and setup on the form this weekend. More to follow.
FLYING SAUCER / Larry Clarke / Foresthill, CA / larry@countrylore.net / 12-26-12: Just cut the ribs
FRANCIS DRAKE-PW / Anthony & Corissa Bailey / lordnyus@yahoo.com / 1-23-05: We have completed the hull planking and are fairing below the waterline to prepare to install the keel dead wood. We should be fiberglassing (sheathing) in April 2005.
FRANCIS DRAKE-FG / Worrall, Mike E / Mike.E.Worrall@abc.com / 1-21-06: The project is ongoing, with progress being made at a rate perhaps not inconsistent with one in mid-career, working 50 hours a week with a wife and family…! That is to say, I spend most of every weekend on “The Boat”, but even with this, it’s slow going. Hull is completed and righted. The partially primed bulkheads and floors that I’m now working on are not very photogenic. I would be more than happy to discuss the project with any other builders of the Cook/Drake/Nelson family, especially those contemplating C-Flex. I promise to share additional photos when She is in a more glamorous state. Any and all may contact me. (photos of turning the hull are on the Francis Drake design page)
FRED MURPHY TUG / Randy Johnstun / Rainier, OregonJOHNSTUN55@msn.com / 5-21-08: Today I cut my first frame member out of steel, oh what a thrill, and many more to come. Thanks for the great plans.
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