My first shop was quite primitive. However, with the tools on hand, I managed to produce a boat whose lines looked pretty from just about every angle. Many of the fittings were custom made by patterns created in my shop. When it came time to make the upholstery, I examined many materials including leather. With some advice from a friend, I chose to use a novel material. The cushions were made from an antique Turkish kelam. This particular fabric, when properly cared for, lasts very well. These carpets were originally used in the floors of tents. They withstood dirt, water, and general family wear and tear. Their colours over time would develop into beautiful muted shades. They could certainly handle the demands of a boat. The power source proved more challenging. Not much was available at that time. Today, electric boats and state of the art motors are much easier to procure. None the less, my controllers and chargers were all high efficiency, solid state devices. I finished the decks and interior natural so as not to hide the beauty of the mahogany. All my boats have a minimum of 8 coats on any surface that is exposed. My "rule of thumb", is after 8 coats of varnish, the next "perfect " coat is the last coat. Usually, there are 12 or more coats of varnish. Each layer is laboriously sanded out between coats. The result is near perfection! Even the bilges on a new boat are varnished. My boats are glued up with epoxy so they don't leak. I varnish the bilges with a minimum of 5 coats of varnish to preserve the wood and prevent dry rot. This boat would run along comfortably at 4-5 knots for hours on end. The charger was capable of recharging the batteries overnight. The boat could run at up to about 6 1/2 knots full speed. The speed was restricted not by the limits of the motor, but by the physical limits of the hull. The electric motor just whirred along quietly, making this boat perfect for bird watching, or just a simple evening cruise.
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