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> The boatbuilding classes and demonstrations that occur produce many boats
> that are class efforts. It is common for these classes to have a raffle or
> lottery to determine which of the class participants takes the boat home
> with them. Why not work off of this model?
> There are symposia, rendezvous, paddle ins, get togethers and so on which
> provide meeting places for paddlers and builders. Why not use these as
> opportunities for builders to gather for a `master class' The 'tuition'
> for such a class would be excess boat building materials and/or the use of
> tools: precut forms, strongback, strips, glass, resin, gloves, staples,
> staple guns, etc. The class would be led by an experienced builder, who
> would hopefully donate his or her time, or be paid by a sponsor. The
> materials would be transported to the site by those who are donating them.
> A list of needed materials could be posted online before hand (kind of
> like a wedding gift registry) so the right stuff, and enough of it, is
> provided.
> The finished boat or boats would be donated to a charity, or raffled off
> with the proceeds going to a charity.
> As I see it, this would be an excellent promotional activity for several
> of the larger suppliers of materials. Their cost would be just in
> providing a location, and perhaps an instructor. Depending on local
> lottery/raffle laws they maight even deduct the instructor fees and donate
> the remainder to the charity, so their sponsorship costs are basically for
> advertising. In exchange, they get a prime audience of builders converging
> on their site. This then becomes an incredibly cost efficient way to show
> their wares to an extremely interested audience. I can't think of a better
> advertising tool.
> There are lumber companies on the west and east coast who could do these
> things without worrying about robbing from the other's market. Face it, if
> you live east, you generally buy from eastern suppliers. You can find
> suppliers in Florida and Canada, too, so there is no reason why several of
> these types of events could not be held.
> Since these would probably be done over weekends, the extra hands might be
> useful in completing the boat in three days. (Anyone have any fast-setting
> glue to donate?)
> Personally, I could almost envision a competition between Pygmy and
> Chesapeake Lt. Craft. ( NO, WAIT -- That could get bloody ) Seriously,
> though, the owners of those companies would be top-notch candidates for
> seminars like these. I'd like to hear from them both. For that matter, I'd
> like to be able to travel to the heartland and see a demo by George
> Roberts. Or go east and see one by Nick, Gil Gilpatrick, or George Putz.
> If anyone wants to take this idea to a possible sponsor maybe it can be
> sone this summer.
> Just a few thoughts here.
> Paul G. Jacobson
Hey Paul, I like this idea. We have two large sea kayak synposia in Michigan that this might be a great promo for, the West Michigan Sea Kayak at Blue Lake and the Great Lakes event up in Grand Marias. Maybe it can be set up to do a stich and glue at one or both. I'll try and find a contact or maybe Dean knows of who to get ahold of and can let me know. At any rate, I'll see what I can find out. Thanx, TomP
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Guillemot Kayak - High
Performance Wooden Sea Kayak Designs
