The Start Of Something New

     Well, its three years later, and no further progress. Many changes, a new house, health issues, and other projects kept me from working on the Vacationer project.

     I have to say, my thoughts have now shifted from the sailboat, which I have always been comfortable with, and love the idea of  using the wind for "free power" to a motorboat design.  Mainly for family reasons. I am now looking for something that provides a "cabin" on the water. It seems that it is getting increasingly difficult to find camping spots in B.C., and with the freedom of a boat, it make sense that a "shantyboat" or small houseboat would be in order.

     During the 19th century into the 1930s, itinerant workers lived in shanty boats along the canals and rivers of industrial American towns. It was once a way a life. While doing genealogical research I read an excerpt from my own family,  from my 6x great grandfather, Jacob Judy who was considered a "very ancient and respectable pioneer" in Illinois who immigrated to America when he was just 3 years old. According to The Combined History of Randolph, Monroe and Perry Counties... , Illinois (1883) p.448:

"In the year 1786 he and his family descended the Ohio river to Kentucky. On the river, at the mouth of the Scioto, he heard the Indians making noises to decoy him to land, but he kept straight on. He had but one man with him besides his family. His daughter Nancy Judy, then eighteen years old, steered the boat, while her father, her brother, Samuel Judy, and the hired man, rowed the craft with all possible speed by this dangerous section of the river. He remained two years in Kentucky, and descended the Ohio in a flat boat . He was forced up Cash river , in the present county of Alexander , for protection from the Indians , and remained there for seven weeks, until a boat could come from Kaskaskia to his relief."

A houseboat in the 1930s

A deserted houseboat in 1905

Living in Steveston,a shantyboat design  it is also a nice fit with the history along the Fraser river.   

Steveston Dyke Side Saloon 1901

 "Life was rough and ready on the river front around the turn of the last century. Shown here, a couple of First Nations canoes, three Fraser River type gillnet skiffs and a Columbia River type skiff are moored near the dyke at the foot of Second Avenue in Steveston. A group of men stand on the deck of a small float house and, at centre on the dyke, the Dyke-side Saloon is open for business ready to provide refreshments to bored fishermen between fisheries openings." (Friends of the Richmond Archives)

    A pontoon boat while nice, are expensive, and in most likelihood would not be able to stand up to the wave on the Salish sea. It would be best that such a design would be able to handle some reasonable chop. It would be best if it could accommodate both salt and freshwater.., from lakes to exploring small inlets. A barge style design would work in rougher water, and would also maximize space and comfort.