Sealing Up the Fridge - Episode 191 - Acorn to Arabella: Journey of a Wooden Boat

[@rl53]

t's so heart warming you live in a community who look after each other no matter what is needed. Just how the world should be.

[@competitiverteam]

I love the way you do community outreach. Teach a kid to drive, building a teenager a skate board ramp and building a banjo. It is simply an amazing community.

[@detestedcorn6961]

I love how Steve helps out Aaron! Love to see the community of Friend's on this channel!!!! Getting closer to getting caught up!!!!

[@AcornToArabella]

😊glad you’re here and enjoying what we do!

[@TheFalcro1234]

::::Standard long comment warning:::::: I have watched since the beginning, I honestly can't remember how long ago that was, 2016 mid-year or maybe 2017, my addled brain wants to tell me it has been 5 ish years. When doesn't really matter as the years for me, at least, have flown by. I still don't know why the Algo suggested your channel as I don't watch anything on boats or boat building, wooden or otherwise. The same is almost true today other than Acorn to Arabella. What an interesting journey it has been with you. You have grown and learned so much and so have I. I remember watching you build and work on Arabella during some dark times in my life health wise. At the time I wasn't even sure I would be alive to see her launched. I am thankful to the doctors that stabilized my heart and have put me on a path that will keep me fairly healthy. The point of all this is that this series, journey, build or whatever it is (maybe all to a certain extent) has become much more than simply entertainment for me. I feel more like a neighbor or acquaintance that has spoken to you (even though I never have other than in the books I leave in your comment section occasionally) and waves as I pass by during day to day life, than a viewer on a YoooooooooougleTube channel. As my health has slowly stabilized and even improved I have allowed myself to believe I will see her in the water and sailing under your hands. I hope that is true my unmet "Tuber" friend. I have started saving for the cross country trip I would like to make to see that launch or christening or whatever it is called, my apologies I really don't know much about ships and boating terms. Just a little dream and I am told, dreams can come true. I will watch and laugh and cheer for you and even cry sometimes until I can't do those things anymore. Take care, stay smooth and I will see you in a video soon.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thank you so much for sharing this. We hope to see you at launch, too, and we’ll give you lots of time to make arrangements. We’re so grateful to hear your story, and that you’re a part of the journey.

[@direbearcoat7551]

Foxfire books, what you need to know to restart a civilization...

[@danielkantor3248]

Loved the addition of banjo music. Nice touch.

[@AcornToArabella]

That was Ben's finishing touch this week, he wrote that one up in short order!

[@CliveGregory]

Those Foxfire books reminded me of the Whole Earth Catalog from the early 1970's.

[@johntellnott12345]

good to see Arron back.

[@j.d.anderson6710]

I first discovered the Fox Fire series at the age of 14. They are really great, and are still relevant today for anyone who has a homestead or living the off grid old life style. Even if you lead a more modern life style and are just interested in the way things were done back then or the Appalachian life style, they are very good books. I love the convenience of having the internet and just about any subject you can think of right at your fingertips, but nothing will ever take the place of a good book.

[@immaculatelation]

The Fox Fire series! I'd LOVE to have those!

[@AcornToArabella]

Foxfire.org sells them, and the proceeds support the museum!

[@immaculatelation]

@@AcornToArabella I stumbled upon a reference to them in a forum related to homesteading several years ago, and looked them up. I was excited, but sad that I didn't grow up with them. I will have them one day! Thanks! Edit: oh wow! they were basically in my backyard for the past decade! I'm going to go check them out!! They're only an hour and a half away in a place I visit occasionally. Sweet!

[@stevem.6279]

im a retired sailor, i appreciate your sticking with old school. many sailors have perished at sea, for not using what technology now offers. my point is; you are creating a fine space between hull and inner cabin. you are at the exact point to foam the hull and help bilge stay empty, and interior comfort. foam also holds and amazing amount of air, and adds hull integrity under extreme conditions, even collisions. Consider marine grade foam entirely, from pitched keel to gunnels. You can hide this modern technology under inner cabin woodwork. when your 500 nautical miles from a safe port, you will be extremely greatful for this assurance that will give you confidence and may save your lives. good luck. i will be watching.

[@FistralG]

I never read the Firefox book but I enjoyed the movie with Clint Eastwood.

[@MrSamrobz]

Steve your thirst for knowledge is incredible. By the time this boat is finished there won't be much about boats you don't know. Keep up the good work, you are living the life we all want haha.

[@Somuchsawdust]

I love that you are teaching a young person to drive on your farm, it was how I learned, pulling hay wagons.

[@padderickpeak9493]

oh wow Foxfire books, I grew up with those too, my parents had the whole set.

[@johnmanning4577]

The first thing I drove was an empty two-horse hay wagon down the narrow lane of my grandparents ranch when I was 7-8 years old. My uncle, my idol, had been showing me how to use the traces to manage the horses and this day he thought I was ready. So at the end of the day, we headed for home and he turned the traces over to me. The horses weren't long in figuring out I didn't know what I was doing so picked up their pace as they headed for the barn and their dinner. I lost control and by the time my uncle managed to establish authority, the wagon had torn up 20-30 feet of fencing along one side of the lane. Thanks for evoking a memory that could have been terrifying but isn't because of the safety I felt, and have always felt, in that uncle's presence.

[@larrimos]

Some of my most cherished memories are of the days in which my father, uncles, and their friends decided I was old enough to be useful around the farm/shop. I’ll wager the young man helping you out will accumulate similar memories.

[@garyfroeschner2523]

great stuff.

[@MusicMike939]

I am happy to see youtubers using good safety practices. So many ignore them for the sake of the video or something.

[@offpherj7884]

Everyone should own Foxfire books. Thanks for posting...

[@Bystander333]

It's good to return favours!

[@kaydog2008]

Battle Born batteries and controls are the way to go for powering your boat. Your one stop shop for everything you'll need to get wired up.👈🤓😉👍

[@RenegadeADV]

Steve, one of the things I think I enjoy the most about your channel is you are teaching the young men who watch your channel the value of being a learned man. This is something that has been lost in our country to a great degree. Thousands of young men will be inspired to learn from watching what you do here, just like the young man you are teaching to drive and do farm things. Good on ya!

[@Esschert]

Gee Renegade, you're SO inspirational. Your words make me want to go out and buy a POS fixer-upper sailboat like yours, put it up on the hard for two years like you, and just talk about all the cool things I'm gonna do to it. Yeah, that's what I'll do.

[@dennisbaecht7860]

The Foxfire museum is worth a trip to see.

[@bartramdilks26]

Nice, the windjammers out of Rockland are great. Lived there for 12 years and loved it.

[@_noname617]

Great intro! :) cheers

[@bake162]

Nice that your so patient with teaching Aaron to drive and not sweating the new racing stripe

[@RobertFay]

*- Good episode.*

[@Digital-Dan]

The best thing about boats is that you don't seem to need to worry much about weight. When the SS Jeremiah O'Brien (Liberty Ship) sailed to Normandy a few years back, the crew were able to take anything in the hold that they liked, and similarly to bring back whatever they wanted. So much different from either aircraft or wheeled vehicles.

[@russellleach1942]

I have Foxfire 2. Happy to see it still around. I to learn to drive on a farm, great place. That was 67 years ago . I learned a lot from this series.

[@talegunner115]

Your Grampa was a very smart man! You could use that fridge as a boat in case of issues!

[@chuckpechan]

I love the Foxfire books, fun read and very practical!! great video as always!

[@michaelowen2076]

Really great episode people. Somehow I must have missed an undercurrent that was probably there all along, but that really emerged in this week's post. From winterizing the thicknesser (huh? ohhhh!) to helping a mate with his banjo build, to the lovely banjo music while you undid your fridge, to the foxfire books, you seem to be living what John Mellencamp called "The Real Life." It's good to know that you're out there doing your thing. I hope you get to sail around the world as many times as you want to. Mike

[@AcornToArabella]

Hi Mike! Thanks for picking up on that, it means a lot. We’ve been working on more intentional ways of showing a bit of WHY Steve is building this boat, which involves details about life here on the farm, in this neighborhood, in the northeast US. It’s a nice way to spend the time as epoxy or paint is curing, we hope. 😊 -Anne

[@mikef.1000]

Excellent work by the young man scratching up that truck!!! It's something of an initiation. Like the time I cut down a tree with a chainsaw and it fell onto my dad's Landrover 😀

[@AcornToArabella]

Whooaaa!

[@TheThriftyWoodworker]

I always learn a lot watching you, but I never thought I would learn about freezer construction and Banjos in the same episode. Fabulous as always.

[@AcornToArabella]

😁

[@markryan4873]

Some advice from an old schooler on pouring anything. If your opening is on one end of the container, turn the container sideways, hillbilly jug drinking style/gangster-style, to get better control, ie no gurgles. On every pour you did during this video, my ocd was manifesting big time. This method works better, few use it. Just my humble 2 cents.

[@Mr.Blue987]

@@markryan4873 hey thats how i pour the hardener when im mixin paint

[@thomasarussellsr]

@@markryan4873 exactly. Having the bottle below the opening let's air in for less splashing.

[@davidc6510]

Another great episode. Anne you have done such a great job since you joined A2A. The channel has really taken a big leap forward with the presentation of the content. Well done and thanks for sharing!

[@AcornToArabella]

Thank you very much, David! It's been some lovely, hard work. Means a lot to hear you're enjoying it. -Anne

[@troubledspirit3328]

Wonderful show as always. Thank you. Stay safe.

[@robertshaw6934]

Thank you to all for this years episodes. Have a great winter break and hope to see more activities in the nears future..

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks for watching, Robert!

[@kathywrightjohnson6804]

Hello team! I love how hard working Aaron is. Learning to drive the farm equipment is half the fun. Learn em little! I bet this is the best time of his young life. Thanks for giving him such cool life lessons. He won't forget it.

[@AcornToArabella]

Happy Friday, Kathy!

[@grandenauto3214]

My daughter was 8 when she drove our truck into the hitch… 12 years later I fixed up the same truck for her, with the dent she put in it… just as a reminder. 😆 All my girls were driving by 8, put the truck in 4 low and almost impossible to stall a standard.

[@TheSphat]

astonishing how much chemistry goes into a wooden boat in these times.

[@ryan_mcme]

Visitors from the Midcoast! Love it!

[@garyschraa9508]

"Where's Dr. Dolittle ? I feel like part of me is missing" [edit] Hell yes Ben nice touch

[@SM-Flyers]

In HS I found the Foxfire books in the school library. From those I learned how to make moonshine and became very popular at school parties! My parents never figured out what I did or why I was doing science experiments on the kitchen stove, LOL!

[@brianbennett1244]

I like Mae's reaction to the Llama - "What kind of dog is THAT??? " Great video - that really is some cooler!!

[@AcornToArabella]

She play bowed at the horses on Cumberland Island, too 😁

[@danielhathaway8042]

I was about his age when My father started to teach me to drive on some back country roads...... that was in the early 70 ‘s. It was my moms Dart Wagon, and his 60 Cady convertible ( the car later appeared in the movie Animal House he own the car for 40 years.) Have fun on the farm kids!

[@johnmagnan759]

you are seriously like the coolest adopted uncle ever to that young man. He's never going to forget that driving experience.

[@brianpesci]

I bought the Foxfire original book and then the 3 book series that followed in 1972. I loved the craft and practical knowledge that it had and it actually offered some insight into what my own grandparents had done after immigrating here from Italy in 1901 and settling in the hills of Western Pa., not very far from WV and Pittsburgh.

[@chooseymomschoose]

Love the truck story.

[@badcat4707]

Good morning Akiva and Crew ;-)

[@ohcrapwhatsnext]

Foxfire books are just an amazing source of information...I am from Massachusetts and we grew up with much of the old ways. I think i am the last generation to live in self reliance with respect to living off the land the old way....

[@harrytruax5195]

Another great video Steve and gang! Those Fox Fire books look like a great way to prepare for the 'next' Carrington event!

[@TedHouk]

That’s how I made my cat skin banjo with six strings. Foxfire: Rock on

[@Tomhohenadel]

Morning A2A gang. Beautiful way to start a Friday. Great music Ben, thanks.

[@AcornToArabella]

Happy Friday, Tom!

[@whitneylake2107]

Wow ! This episode had a bit of everything - even a banjo ! Thank you

[@johnsherborne3245]

Your foaming resin reminds me of the tale of a scientific gentleman who back in the 1970’s built a fibreglass white water kayak. it was quite common to cast foam into the ends to stop it sinking in the event of an epic this poor chap slipped the decimal point in his calculations and cast way too much resin. The boat was stood on its end in the stairwell of his house to keep it warm enough while casting. The foam filled the entire boat and flowed out across his hall way before setting solid. I’d have loved to have been there.

[@thomaskingsbury1113]

The best advice I got when learning to drive was to look in the distance when going down the road. It kept from over-correcting when driving.

[@Ayns.L14A]

Hi guys, Sorry for my lateness hope you all have a great weekend.

[@AcornToArabella]

Good to see you, Aynsley!

[@mikeskelly2356]

Just in case the books don't mention it, Di-Electric Grease is your wiring friend. For a sea going vessel, every bolt, nut or crimp connection will benefit from a dab of this grease. It promotes corrosion resistance, water repellency and ease of removal... Cheap insurance. I used it on my Balboa when I rewired her and never had a bad connection... 😁

[@joeduffy3376]

Watching this December 16th of 2022. Fallen off the series for over a year but deciding to jump back in. Got a lot to catch up on. Excited to see so many updates to the boat

[@AcornToArabella]

Welcome back, Joe!!

[@AcornToArabella]

You’re in for a treat!

[@fwinckowski]

Pleasant little girl...

[@TopBanana48]

Cool kid, nice hair dude!

[@lbyvik]

AAHHH!!! The Foxfire series!! My father has all 12 volumes! I LOVED reading through them as a kid! Lots of great things to learn

[@karelundberg9523]

Very nice video with the girl drivning, banjo and a llama. Again a little tip, when plastic sheets are to be split or edges are to be adjusted, an angle grinder with a thin disk is useful. It cuts softly through the plastic and gives nice cuts.

[@sjlarue1]

One of my wife's childhood friends is in one of the Foxfire books...she thinks it was in the one about corn shucking. 😀...She was like 3 or 4 sitting on the porch shucking corn. 😀

[@AcornToArabella]

Wow! Neat!

[@BillB23]

Coffee and A2A: a great start to any Friday. Thanks, crew!

[@derekjacobs9403]

Love the truck. Be kind.Good job on the freezer. Been following since the 'Keel' All the Best.

[@0r1x]

I like the new style. It's probably a bit too personal for you, but it's nice to get to see the person who drives the Arabella build. Thanks for sharing

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks for feeling the warmth we’re aiming to add!

[@joshcoulter9719]

If I remember correctly, one of those Foxfire books had instructions for making banjo's! Love these videos.

[@cmcg7673]

Foxfire books bring back memories. My Dad passed away when my oldest daughter was two and youngest wasn't yet born so neither remember him but they each have a dulcimer he made following the instructions in the Firefox book. Glad to see a new generation taking an interest in them.

[@captdonwright2272]

Don't let the foam get on your jeans, it will not give up it's bond to them LOL!!

[@GPDIY]

That was a lot of fun to watch!

[@mikerenshaw7867]

Cool Flagon Steve! :)

[@thomasbryson2757]

I have 13 vol's of Fox Fire. The first ones are the best.

[@stanmoderate4460]

Twice in my life I used expanding foam and twice the delayed expansion made a mess of things, I swore "never again"!

[@OscarSommerbo]

I remember my 5.25" Nashua floppies from the 80s

[@erikwilliams7009]

Ah... Foxfire. Love them books too. Great episode!

[@Snoopy_59]

Hi , here in Finland we have polyurethane-foam bottle that expands a little, (we use it when we install new windows ) it’s safe to use. And we you use polyurethane-foam it needs air and moisture that so the chemical reaction begins, it doesn’t work if you close it. I hope you understand what I tried to write. It’s a must for me to watch your videos every Friday when I come home after work.

[@alfredrichter6236]

Thanks for showing the foxfire books. I ordered one from Amazon and can‘t wait reading it.

[@AcornToArabella]

It’s also possible to support the Foxfire museum by buying direct from them: foxfire.org. Enjoy that volume you have coming to you!

[@southernmistii]

We carried the book by Don Casey for our entire ten years of cruising, invaluable!

[@AcornToArabella]

He’s great!

[@j_omega_t]

I read the Foxfires when I was in high school in the late 70's. I tanned rabbit hides using alum and salt (as per Foxfire!). I still have the hides 40+ years later, and they are in perfect shape.

[@SuperUnclebill]

I believe I enjoyed this video the most since I stated watching Acorn To Arabella . Thanks for the memories

[@danhertel165]

that's really cool that you are teaching the young man to drive and work on the farm

[@jamorg2306]

Good video. I had to use the 2 part foam when I redid the stringers on my fibreglass boat. Floor was in and I drilled several relief holes in the floor. Put the entire hull on about a 25 degree angle and then started at the bottom. Pour, wait and let expand then do another pour. All you had to do was put a block of wood over the relief holes it was just enough to force the foam to go another way. End result was the entire cavity was completely filled with foam and the floor was rock solid. Keep up the good work. Cheers

[@AcornToArabella]

Thank you!

[@captaintoyota3171]

Yup i learned on an old 4speed ford farm truck. Great memories with my dad

[@jeffwisemiller3590]

The first thing about wiring a boat is a wish list. It doesn't mean that you will use that particular circuit but it is there if you do. I call it premeditated stupidity & it's saved my butt several times. The second thing is having two completely separate battery systems. This way you don't kill the start battery running lights etc. & you don't kill the house bank by using it to start the engine. The engine doesn't have a very high amperage alternator (55 amps) so a separate alternator for the house system is really helpful. The reason is that if you have a high capacity alternator for the house, your recovery time will greatly decrease the run time on the engine. Talk to the people at Balmar Alternators about this. The people at Blue Sea Systems are also very helpful & they have some very interesting electrical items that work with the charging system(s). Mr. Nigel Calder's books are informative but use a teaspoon of salt when reading them.

[@AcornToArabella]

Nigel is a living treasure.

[@tracyb1577]

Happy Arabella day everyone!

[@AcornToArabella]

Happy Friday, Tracy!

[@michaelblaszkiewicz7283]

Man, I bet you can't wait to eat that Llama. You are probably saving it for Christmas. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

[@seanmcardle]

Hehe

[@northlandrider5396]

Spit roast?? 😂

[@michaelblaszkiewicz7283]

@@northlandrider5396 I was thinking whole hog pit style.

[@NeilABliss]

Learning to drive on the Farm truck ...it's a right of passage. I learned on my Uncle's 52 Chevy 5/4 ton. Out in the prairies , miles and miles of miles and miles..... I clipped the barn.....and my brother managed to hit the only tree in 800 acres.

[@traillesstravelled7901]

Gonna have to check out those books. As I get older, and see it happening over the years, I appreciate the knowledge from old times books and generations, and find how practical, more than some think, that knowledge is.

[@AcornToArabella]

Foxfire.org is the best place to get them… it supports their museum of Appalachian culture in Georgia.

[@traillesstravelled7901]

@@AcornToArabella Awesome thanks 👍!

[@danlinden1526]

Loved the Foxfire series!!

[@milt7348]

Stay healthy.

[@spdrcr1010]

In elementary school (maybe around 1994) I remember looking at home remedies in a Foxfire book, I had no idea what corns were but my friends thought it was amusing.

[@randomprecisionmotors3130]

My Dad used to have a few of those Foxfire books. Don't recall exactly how many, but I know it wasn't all of them. He grew up in S.W. Virginia, right by Tennessee...deep inna hearta Appalachia. Used to love spending Summers down there when I was a kid...

[@mumblbeebee6546]

On my first solo drive on a tractor (an actual farming one) I collected a good 60yards of electric fence with the slightly too wide seed drill at the back. Your neighbour’s kid did good ;)

[@AcornToArabella]

😁

[@dennislindemann9057]

Something about learning from books with an open notebook on the table strikes a chord with me. It's how a serious student goes about his business. I've watched you learn to pour lead, discover the pitfalls of scarfing planks, and the experience the joy of another broken split frame. You have clearly demonstrated that making the bold move of jumping right into a task you have never done before can be a road strewn with unseen pitfalls. Good planning helps avoid the worst of them. I have faith that you will leverage your learned lessons into getting the electrical design and installation right the (mostly) first time. Baby steps, over time, become giant strides. To paraphrase Jay Leno, "If you keep making 'em, I'll keep watching."

[@tmikkelsen8066]

I got all the foxfire books. Man those things are a treasure.

[@fordfan3179]

It's the DIYer version of "World Book Encyclopedia"! Lol

[@moosebonsai]

Wow. I had some days off and haven't tracked the days of the week for a bit. I didn't know what day it was. Then I saw the notice that Acorn to Arabella has a new episode. I had s surge of joy flow through my veins; as I knew the video would have stunning videography, exciting educational content, a vivacious cast of lovable folk, crafty cameos of farm animals, soothing glimpses of New England farm life around Granby, Massachusetts (home of Granby Bow and Gun Club, Inc.), and a satisfying progression assessment of that magnificent vessel, Arabella. Unfortunately, iciness overtook the warm joy-filled veins, as I deduced it must be Friday, and I'd have to return to work on Monday.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks for being here, Michael! May you have ever-increasing joy.

[@celticpridedrums]

appreciation of the land and the people--we need more people like you.

[@pauleohl]

14:00 In 1976 I made a fiberglass and foam box similar to yours I made an inner shell like yours by draping alternate layers of mat and woven roving over the mold, 2 layers of each. The mold was made of waxed particle board and was designed so that it could be disassembled from the inside by removing all the screws. I used no sheets of foam or tape because I made another mold into which I draped the the outer shell. I left the molds in place and suspended the inner into the outer and foamed the entire space between the shells with foam, like you did. Then I removed the molds I still have the molds 45 years later, but the boat and box were given away in 2002. My box capacity was 100 gallons and I used it to hold iced fish. Fishing was better in the seventies and eighties and it was not unusual for 2 men to fill the box in one day. My box was totally sealed and no foam got out and no water got in.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks for sharing your experience! We’re crossing our fingers for 45 years of use too!