Bowsprit and Main Boom - Episode 243 - Acorn to Arabella: Journey of a Wooden Boat

[@johnlinehan9053]

Nice how you encourage Aaron to solve the problem and not just tell him how to do something. And congrats on the forestry award! 👏👏👏

[@jw8848]

I was thinking the same thing. Had him stay through the whole thing, even when he was involved himself.

[@captaintoyota3171]

I train ALOT of young guys(commercial concrete journayman carpenter. High rises stadiums bridges etc) and that is the best way to teach. You ask them "do you understand why we did this that way?." Also "what would you do?" . Or "What if you tried _______?" Pose it as a question so they find the solution. The less you tell someone how to do something the more they learn and respect you. No one likes being told how to do things but they love being encouraged to solve the problem.

[@foogoid8682]

+1 on the forestry award! Can someone link to the episode where Steve explained which trees to harvest, and what succession of species would follow in their place?

[@richardmoore4194]

Q. "May I make a suggestion? " A. "Sure Go ahead" Classic teaching technique - its still their problem. You sir are a natural pedagog!

[@jw8848]

@@richardmoore4194 I don't get what you're trying to say? Are you saying it was boring the way Steve helped that child learn? I personally thought it showed a great deal of patience and care to not run the kid off and instead make it a teaching moment.

[@itsputtz]

Steve you are a skilled teacher of children. You speak to and treat Aaron like your peer. You never condescend. You give him the opportunity to come up with answers on his own. I am impressed with your willingness to take on such a young apprentice in the midst of such a busy project. I think this is the greatest outward sign of your good character. Cheers!

[@AcornToArabella]

He brings as much as we give.

[@PixelSchnitzel]

Aaron is a terrific kid on the path to a bright future. I hope when he's in his late teens or 20's that we get to see how these experiences have shaped him.

[@shadetreewelding]

You are giving Aaron a life time of wonderful memories!

[@sportclay1]

Aaron's interest and enthusiasm is commendable. Might want to watch the long hair and strings on the hat near drills and other power tools.

[@TrapShooter68]

I love the "Going outside to turn around". I stayed in a travel trailer like that for a while!

[@mjbartholomew5317]

Lucky Aaron to grow up with such caring neighbors.

[@AcornToArabella]

Lucky us to have him for a neighbor too!

[@jordanrelkey]

@@AcornToArabella A very sharp and clever child. The part where you tasked them to figure out how to remove the rollers and they asked KP how rivets work to better understand the rollers, was just amazing. Critical thinking and problem solving skills like that are rare in even experienced adults. Plus that they not only asked for help when they needed more information, but they only asked for a better understanding of the question at hand, and not the answer to the problem. Just an amazingly brilliant young human being.

[@Slikx666]

Is there some kind of award Aaron can get once Arabella is built? Maybe if he passed an exam at the end he gets a "certificate of boatbuilding" or something. He's learnt so much and has been so helpful, I think he deserves it. But I don't know what's available for him.

[@dremein]

Congrats on Forestry Award. Well deserved! Love Steve's explanation of how to mark & cut a spar! He should get boat building teacher of the year award too! Tell Aaron I like his hat.

[@thomasmartin9078]

Geometry, it's all about the geometry man!

[@donmoore9605]

I have always appreciated the interactions with Aaron and his willingness to pitch in and do whatever task Steve sets him to. A huge learning opportunity and life long memories for him. I regret the day when the boat moves to Mystic and it will be out of his everyday reach.

[@AcornToArabella]

We’ll take him sailing sometime for sure.

[@boblister665]

How time flies. Love watching you work with your young apprentice

[@Buck1954]

Aaron will look back on these days with fond memories.

[@charlesmoore456]

You guys need to make an award cabinet out of Arabella's scraps. Make it bigger than you think because I have a feeling you are going to get many, many more awards!

[@AcornToArabella]

Happy Friday, Charles!

[@robfinney9289]

Young Mr. Aaron was ready to wail on that thing with that crowbar.

[@carsound]

I'm not sure people realize how good you are with a circular saw... you have skills my friend. And man is this kid growing so fast, and you are realy good with him, so patient... this kid is blessed to have people like you around him.

[@moonstarer55]

My Friday is complete. Steve getting Aaron to think/plan his steps to do the task was impressive. Congrat on the forestry award.

[@brinohm]

I loved watching you teach Aaron and work with him at the end of the video! The way you engaged him to come up with a plan was wonderful. My other favorite was watching you let him drill the rivets but giving him some extra push to get them drilled out when he didn't quite have enough force, rather than taking the drill from him and taking over. Steve, you're a fantastic teacher and mentor. Really great job! ❤

[@MaShcode]

Big congrats on the Forest Alliance award. Protecting renewable resources like trees is integral to maintaining the land organism that sustains us. Reuse extends the life of those resources. To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering. --Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac

[@davidshook7909]

Another great video. Nice award, well deserved. Steve you are a great teacher not only for Aaron but for me too. I learn something new almost every video. Thank you everyone .

[@AcornToArabella]

Cheers, David! That’s so nice to know.

[@mikevandenbosch9081]

Years ago, a neighbor took time to teach me, and created a life long love of fixing things and carpentry. THANK YOU STEVE for passing along this love to a nice young man. He will remember you 60 years from now!

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks for sharing your memory, Mike!

[@bobqzzi]

It occurs to me that Aaron will remember this experience for the rest of his life. What a fabulous experience

[@memoryim]

I love how your interacting with Aaron and teaching him critical thinking skills. You would be a good Dad man.

[@The_Juan_Percent]

I will forever remember that centerline trick!

[@dwel2928]

So many of us enjoy watching Steve working with Aaron. But at the same time he is showing us how adults should relate to and teach kids. Thanks Steve, you're a wise and gentle educator.

[@AcornToArabella]

I was just saying the other day that I very much appreciate how Steve will ask Aaron whether he needs help or not before just taking a tool out of his hands or butting in with recommendations. Better to find our way with minimal guidance than to get little experience with a whole ton of exposition. -Anne

[@jameschamberlain8708]

The other comments say it all, I aspire to have the patience and emotional intelligence of Steve. Mate you are an example to us all

[@edrussell7960]

In the first minute of the video you show the award you got, you guys should show the area you harvested your trees from with a before harvest, a just after harvest, and a shot of what that area looks like now that any regrowth has occurred. To show any bounce back of life and new trees.

[@johncowden4019]

I know this is instructional all the time (every episode I pick up a trick or tip to improve my own work), but my favorite moments are always watching live instruction take place. Steve and KP are truly gifted teachers...in addition to their skills on the boat!

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks for that feedback! Rather than teaching how to build a boat, I think we’re mostly sharing the experience and a few other details along the way. Thanks for the kind words! -Anne

[@AndrexT]

I wondered why inscribe circles on the face? Then in three seconds I learn trigonometry just like school. That is so clever and so well explained Steve. It's funny every time I watch the videos, I think I have been there, I have touched that hull, that stem and put my hand on the platen of that big bandsaw. Going to the open house is forever imprinted in my mind and heart. Plus I met Aaron, I told him he is famous :>D

[@AcornToArabella]

😊

[@kevinhutt3854]

I don’t know if it’s Steve, Ben or someone else but I absolutely love all of the “roles” that Steve has in the credits. Every week it’s different, and every week I get a chuckle, thanks A2A!

[@AcornToArabella]

Ben has a lot of fun with that.

[@15MinuteModeller]

@@AcornToArabella maybe fans of farty towels? 😂

[@karenrichmond3491]

Doing great with the youngin, he will learn lots from you

[@rusticthumper5500]

I love the valuable lesson Steve is teaching Aaron. How to think of solutions to problems. That one skill will stand him in good stead for the rest of his life.

[@AcornToArabella]

Better to give a map than directions. -Anne

[@francisdavey2386]

Friend of Forestry is so important well done guys

[@AcornToArabella]

Cheers!

[@jay-2556]

What an amazing upbringing you are already helping to provide to Aaron!

[@tracyb1577]

Woo Hoo! Happy Arabella day everyone!

[@rolandtb3]

Another great teaching documentary video on the boom, bow sprit fabrication and dimension alignment lines for tapered sizing. Repurposing items from Victoria for Arabella. Your patience and teaching/prompts for Aaron are interesting. Encouraging him to problem solve first with guidelines/suggestions. Then see how his choice of tools and techniques work. When he struggles, you demonstrate alternative options. Passing along techniques to a younger generation. Kudos. Your team are like big brothers to Aaron.

[@kathywrightjohnson6804]

You already know that I'm going to say this was another fantastic episode. Every one of them are great. But there is a little more anticipation knowing we are on the homestretch! My suggestion to Aaron, for safety reasons, he should tie back his hair. Too many times have I seen hair caught up in machinery. I would be heartbroken if he learned the hard way. His hair is getting so long! And shiney too!😁😁 Have a great week. I can't wait till next week.

[@MrMichaelcurran]

A wooden boat needs wooden spars. So be it! O' thanks for yet another glimpse at the schematics. It aids us viewers in appreciating were your heading. Thanks again Steve another fine Friday A.M.

[@AcornToArabella]

Two wooden boats I’ve cruised have had extruded aluminum masts… it’s just that we don’t have any aluminum trees here on the farm. 😉 -Anne

[@kevinvey9474]

Really enjoyed the mast layout, the math work around classic. I loved seeing the next generation, kids got skills.

[@AcornToArabella]

He’s great.

[@danielburgess7785]

Always a pleasure to see the Littlest Boat-wright. "I have two."

[@johnjones4825]

25:02 That thousand yard deadpan stare. What my 12 year old grand daughter gives me when I fart. Bless their souls! It took me a while to grasp what you were doing with that taper. Great job!

[@AcornToArabella]

Haahah

[@samrodian919]

Awesome episode everybody, and congratulations on your forestry award! Steve you are a natural teacher. The way you think up problems to present to that young man and allow him to come to the correct answer is awe inspiring for any aspiring teacher of whatever subject. It perhaps easier in a practical subject, but getting young people to think and use their brains without almost beating it into them is a talent to behold and a lesson for any aspiring teacher of craft subjects. The taper you are putting in the mast comes from Ancient Greek Architecture, and it is called "Entasis of Column". In a Greek masonry column the fattest part is roughly two thirds up the length and it flows in a gentle curve from top to bottom, rather than having two meeting tapers. As you are doing making the fattest part twelve inches wide and the tapers flowing to form a nice curve. The reason for this entasis of column was if you make a large parallel column, from a distance it just does not look right. The Greeks solved this by fattening the column two thirds of the way up and when looked at, especially in a row of columns they then do look as if they are all parallel from top to bottom, thus tricking the brain. Sorry it's a bit long, it's been a long time since I explained that to pupils in a technical drawing class.

[@jaromkes]

My grandfather kept the boom of his father's fishing boat, it was just a young Tree with the bark cut off. A few years ago I was on a dhow in Dubai, which had a knee, bark still there. You're building some beautiful spars!

[@BenjaminGerrans]

"and since these are perfectly one Festool track apart"... Ah, the serendipity! 😉

[@gaiaocracy]

a Another great episode stowed. It's nice to see Aaron puzzling through problems and working on Arabella. Hope he sails the seas with y'all.

[@AcornToArabella]

We hope so too.

[@rl53]

You are so lucky to be living in the place you live within the land you live, I really hope you get to enjoy this project freely as the world is becoming such an imprisoned continents. You are so lucky your grandparents seen how important the farm is to all of you for the future survival. Good luck & lets pray everything works out in the world & we all get to travel as freely as the creators intended us to be.

[@randyclyde4939]

Another great video, so nice to see Aarons' contributions. Steve is extraordinary with his guidance. Wow, soon you'll be under 200 days 'till launch! Time is flying! Be well, be safe!

[@More-Space-In-Ear]

What a great teacher you are, letting her decide but give directions when needed....well done, she has learnt great lessons. 👍🏻😉

[@rwsavory]

Aaron is learning skills that he can use the rest of his life. Not many kids have this opportunity. Well done!

[@dennisdownes9319]

Congratulations on the Forestry Award!! DD

[@dougstrong8519]

60+ years of fiddling with wood and steel, I never used or thought of that ruler trick. Thanks for the neat info.

[@AcornToArabella]

Happy you find it useful, Doug!

[@bake162]

Nice job mentoring Aaron

[@mikewinkelman7015]

I've learned so much about boat building watching you all. I'm a steam engine.nut and would like to have a steam launch someday you show me to never give your dream. Thank you

[@AcornToArabella]

Thank you for being on the journey with us, Mike! Steam launches are cool! Keep in touch.

[@whitneylake2107]

I loved your cameo appearance on "Ship Happens". Happy holidays !

[@mikewillis2934]

Excellent educational video. Great to see the next generation showing a real interest. Keep up the good work!

[@heinricheisele7173]

Nicely explained. Greetings from Germany.

[@VictorScic]

You´d make a great teacher, liked the way how you helped the young boy to come to the right conclusion, this method is proven to work better as it helps him reason it out... like find something which is not as hard as the metal to hit with .... great work

[@_Michiel_]

Now there is a young boat wright in the making! Excellent job, Aaron!

[@deborahpetith8710]

Great job Steve and congratulations on the award.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thank you Deborah!

[@ErikPukinskis]

Congrats! You all truly are friends to forestry!

[@kevinmartin3859]

Lovely video especially your patience with Arron he looks up to you

[@mikemcphaden5364]

The experience of working on this project will stay with this young man forever. I realize Aaron is a neighbour but this should be mandatory watching for potential parents everywhere

[@AcornToArabella]

Aaron has great parents, of course, but I think that one of the many things that make them especially wonderful is that they allow Aaron to explore his interests and develop good relationships with his friends and neighbors. -Anne

[@BillB23]

Thanks, crew, for yet again sweetening my Friday morning coffee. You always leave me wanting more and thus eagerly awaiting the next episode. See ya next Friday!

[@AcornToArabella]

Cheers, Bill! ☕️

[@ChrisWMcLean]

The music for this episode was really good! Great seeing the progress on the boat!

[@sparkyprojects]

Another tip similar to your ruler trick is to accurately drill 3 holes in a strip of wood or other material, the outer 2 holes being spaced wider than what you are working on, put 2 pins in the outer holes and a pencil in the middle, if the pins are touching the sides, the pencil will draw a line in the middle

[@juliancrooks3031]

Clearing a forest in a responsible way to get new growth and using the lumber to build a boat is good for the ecology of the area. The boat is coming along nicely and will be a work of art when finished.

[@AcornToArabella]

Cheers, Julian!

[@script.kitchen8543]

I noticed that even though Steve quit being a teacher to build this boat, he is still very much functioning as a teacher, which is quite interesting.

[@federicogualeni1394]

Magnificent Ad usually

[@crustycurmudgeon2182]

I like that little guy! He's eager to learn and eager to please. (Sorry, don't recall the little boy's name). And Steve is incredibly patient with him-- the two are almost symbiotic. He's very teachable, and Steve is a great teacher (doesn't he have a Master's Degree in that? Reaching back in memory, here...). Anyway, while the boy's actual contributions to the boat are largely minimal, Steve's contributions to that child's growth and development into adulthood is immeasurable. Even if he retains nothing technical from his time helping out on the boat, the lad will always have treasured memories from his time working with Steve in these early years and learning lessons in LEARNING (if you catch my drift). We've all watched Steve LEARNING as he goes. Now this boy is learning as Steve has learned-- that's priceless.

[@AcornToArabella]

Sometimes Aaron gets some things done that would have taken Steve less time, but that because he did them, Steve has more time to do other things. We don’t always show those on camera, but I definitely want the world to know that for every moment there are interactions like these, there’s been a pile of wood moved or a cleaned up corner somewhere. Three cheers! -Anne

[@johnhufnagel]

@@AcornToArabella This is something I'm encouraging my kid to do. He's in votech for welding now, and while not old enough to legally enter into an apprenticeship, I want him to visit some of the local shops and offer to be a GoFer for one of them. Just being there doing the "little" things that need doing will free them to do the "big" things, and he'll gain experience by osmosis. He *might* even get the chance to unofficially do some stuff to further his skills. (frankly I think some of the rules lots of places are forced to obey are ridiculous, but it is what it is.) Just showing up and being willing to what is needed is frankly 85% of what any job is looking for.

[@crustycurmudgeon2182]

@@AcornToArabella Three cheers, indeed! I cheer young Aaron and Steve both! Again, I commend Steve for taking this young man under his wing-- and Aaron's dauntless willingness to do anything asked of him. That kid's a gem, and I hope my original post was read as I intended.

[@dano9293]

Regarding boat building in Maine 100 years ago, John Gardner wrote “Nearly everyone had a wood lot , and it was general practice to cut logs for boat lumber in the wintertime along with firewood. The would be builder might have taken several years to accumulate the required lumber, How satisfying it must have been finally to complete a boat of lumber whose every piece had been selected, cut, and carefully stored away against the day of building. How different from the boat whose materials come from the store..”!!(from Gardner’s “Building Classic Small Craft) - this reminds ms A2A !! Keep up the good work!!

[@AcornToArabella]

What a legend, eh? Thanks for sharing this!

[@garyzurasky7312]

This felt like one of the older videos with you explaining the layout of the tapers. I understand the need to not explain everything while building but that was one of the things I felt was missing lately.

[@LoveToMix]

Man I love you videos. Great work. So relaxing

[@marlobreding7402]

In my mind your Grandfather is in HEAVEN looking down and admiring the great works your hands have wrought,, either especially proud that you use the tree he planted. In my mind anyway. Can't wait to see her on the Seas.

[@aaronr.9644]

thanks for the lesson on how you put a round shape on those spars. that was really cool!

[@jeffreytan2948]

I wish I have half the patience you have for teaching Steve.

[@CarbonGelatin]

I did not know that centering trick, I love it. Thank you!

[@terrygrotefeld4814]

Yes, I love that too,69 years in engineering and never seen that tip before.

[@johnnunn8688]

So great to see Aaron taking such an interest. He’ll be building his own boat one day, I’m sure. 👍

[@martinscannall8487]

Fascinating and very educational. A joy to watch.

[@andrewstoll4548]

I love how you're working with the neighbor kid. Plus they have and awesome hat.

[@qp1pqp1pq]

Video work is getting better by the week! Thank you Anne.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks for watching! -Anne

[@tl4ever262]

congrats on the forestry award!

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks! We’re proud!

[@Tomhohenadel]

Another great Friday, presented by A2A. How is it that fridays just keep getting better and better. Thanks Ben and Anne

[@AcornToArabella]

Aw shucks, Tom. Cheers!

[@TheBeaker59]

Congratulations on that award you really do deserve that. You and other YT channels have inspired me to look around my suburban lot which is pretty small but there are some trees including a Plum tree that I use everything from now after your videos the shade I sit unde in summer the leaves when they fall I compost the prunings though I used to discard now I save the bigger pieces and use the small stuff in my smoker as fuel. From the bigger branches I have made Knife handles, a couple of boxes (small ones but the y look very beautiful) and I have one bigger one I have been seasoning in the rafters under the house for 2 years now its nearly perfect soon I will make a long bow from it.

[@brunsonr]

If you're not careful, you might just inspire me to building a small sailing dinghy. With each new video, I find that I'm fighting the idea less. Sail-on!

[@danielhoulihan7769]

I'm willing to bet that you were a great teacher.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks, that’s very kind.

[@rice0009]

I've enjoyed watching this boat slowly come together. It's been inspirational.

[@jamesboardman609]

Erin is a good helper😊

[@Ayns.L14A]

Happy Friday everyone, An Award well deserved congratulations.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thank you, Aynsley!

[@electricbeaver854]

thanks for the leason on turning a square poece of wood in to a round piece of wood. Now i know how to make my mast for my sailing canoe.

[@geoffblake2748]

Brilliant episode Steve. It was great for me to have you explain the marking, and shaping of the booms.

[@AcornToArabella]

Glad you enjoyed it, Geoff!

[@Sqtgdog]

This project is amazing, but my feeble mind cannot fathom how you are going to finish in around 200 days :)

[@AcornToArabella]

Maybe we’re the ones with feeble minds! 😁 We’ve got a plan.

[@DuncanMargetts]

That "finding the centre" tip/trick blew my mind.. thanks :)

[@AcornToArabella]

🙌

[@gsaunds100]

Beautiful. If you're not careful there, you're going to end up with a boat!

[@stephenpenney6774]

A newbie to your channel, so I have some catching up to do. Just finished watching the latest video from Gemma and Simon on Ship Happens. Saw your congrats to them on their 100th video……so how could I not pop over to subscribe and get to know you too.

[@paulbaker6233]

Another great video.. thanks for posting. Now.. the day is going to come when all work comes to a halt awaiting a critical part.. or something else.. when that day comes.. if you don't take the 3 hours it will take to paint the west end of Grandpa's Garage.. I am going to think badly of all of you for the rest of eternity.. Cheers..

[@AcornToArabella]

Hahhaa. Thanks, Paul.

[@donnimatrix1555]

Hello from Japan everybody!

[@AcornToArabella]

Hello! Thanks for watching! Love to hear where people are from.

[@billsrq1788]

Good morning all from Siesta Key Florida

[@AcornToArabella]

Good morning and happy Friday, Bill!

[@ss5s]

Very cool. Thanks for telling how its done.

[@h2energynow]

Amazing at the skills needed to make a square template to round, at different dimensions along its length. In awe.

[@AcornToArabella]

It’s simple and yet… kinda ingenious!

[@jakobekdahl3093]

Good day from Uppsala, Sweden 👋

[@AcornToArabella]

Hello! 👋

[@troubledspirit3328]

Another boomer show... Thank you Team Arabella

[@AcornToArabella]

🙌

[@paulheitkemper1559]

Happy Friday A2A crew!

[@AcornToArabella]

🙌