Have you noticed our new makerspace, NarwhalLabs, which has been appearing in many of our posts and stories recently? We invited TotalBoat Ambassador, Xyla Foxlin, to be our first “real” guest in the lab, and she came with a boatload of fun ideas to make something cool with the team. An avid aviatrix, Xyla settled … Read More
It was a tense, but exciting moment for backyard boatbuilder, Steve Denette and his crew. In today’s episode, they get to the long-anticipated step of removing the molds from Arabella. This step was celebratory when the hull stood taught without her molds installed. Now the team can install knees and finish planking with a clear … Read More
After building the TotalBoat Sport Dory, Lou took some time off to find a new shop and reinvigorate the Tips from a Shipwright video plan. The YouTube channel, with over 140,000 subscribers, has obviously hit home with many of you. And like you, we were excited to see that Lou is back at it making … Read More
Lorrie Nowlan started Wood Design by Lorrie 2 years ago when she started working with live edge wood and epoxy resin creating functional art and small tables. She needed a creative outlet for her upcoming retirement and stress relief from a very busy nursing career. And look at her now! When Lorrie saw the call … Read More
As a follow up to last week’s Wavy Vase made by TotalBoat Ambassador, Paul Jackman, we wanted to share this other amazing oversized project that Paul “pulled off.” The Jackman Hammer is an astounding 90 pounds of wooden (and epoxy resin and varnish) awesomeness that Paul created as an addition to his line of Jackmansized … Read More
We can’t help but love every video and sadistic project taken on by TotalBoat Ambassador, Paul Jackman. His love for pallets and upcycling forgotten wood is a labor of love and something Paul takes to the next level – or – as his followers know – to “Jackman Size.” When he poured over 200 hours … Read More
Today we find Steve and a collection of skilled friends working on planking and preparing for the sawmill’s arrival. The crew of Acorn to Arabella have been able to motor along with the oak planking, even with Alex away. With three people in the shop, two could work on Arabella while the third picked timber and made … Read More
Leo Sampson and his crew of merry boatbuilders are making great progress on the restoration of his 1909 sailing yacht, Tally Ho. In episode 73 Tally Ho has started to resemble the curvy, gorgeous yacht that she is quickly becoming. With her deck beams ready for installation, the team is taking the time to seal … Read More
Using scraps from her first foray into wooden canoe building, TotalBoat Ambassador, Xyla Foxlin, decided to attempt next level steam bending and made herself a wooden corset. You could argue everyone needs a fiberglassed, steam-bent, wooden strip corset – but maybe if this is on your project list you’ll reconsider after seeing how much work … Read More
The TotalBoat team met boatbuilder, Bob Emser, last year at the Wooden Boat Show and was enamored with his gentle, artistic style of boat building and of video creation, too. It was a pleasure to meet and talk to Emser whose calm, educational videos talk through his build of a Joel White designed Haven 12 … Read More
Have you been wondering what all the excitement is about with epoxy crafting and art these days? This is the perfect time to join WoodWorkers Guild of America and TotalBoat Ambassador, Jess Crow from Crow Creek Designs for five days of introductory projects that use epoxy resin! Epoxy can be used for more than just boats; You can … Read More
While it might feel like time has slowed down this spring, the winter was busy for our customers who have been working inside their garages, boat sheds, and workshops on many great things. What emerges in the springtime is anyone’s guess, but we always like to catch a peek inside while the hard work is … Read More
If you’ve attempted to bend wood then you know it’s an art and skill that takes some practice, or at least some knowledge of what works and what doesn’t. Steam bending is a common boatbuilding technique and one which takes some practice and some tools you might not have on hand. Bending wood around a … Read More
Winter won’t stop Alix and Steve from Acorn to Arabella from making headway on their Atkins Ketch build. Even though they are beginning to make good progress planking Arabella, they can’t help but look forward to the future of the project. They know they will need some nicely curved pieces for knees inside the boat, … Read More
When the TotalBoss’s birthday came around and his family wanted to find him a special gift that acknowledged his recent affinity for playing the ukulele, we knew just who to turn to for help. TotalBoat Ambassador and YouTuber, Tim Sway, was the obvious choice for building this special project, and he was more than happy … Read More