Orcaboats's Blog
New project under way
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By mid November, I will begin working on a new commissioned build. I have an order for several “Kiska” kayaks for a customer in Vermont. With lots of time before delvery, I hope to spend some extra time on this one, adding some features that will make the boat unique. In addition, I still have several old Chestnut canoes in my shop that I am working on restoring. They are both in fairly good shape requiring only new canvas and a few coats of varnish, so they should not take long.
New web site
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After many years, I have made some major changes to our web site. I have increased the items in our on line shop and reduced some of the pricing. I am still looking for more up to date software options for our store and this will allow us to more accurately calculate shipping rates as this has been a concern for years. There is some new information on the “How To” page, drop down menus that reduces the amount of text to scroll through on each page. I hope you like it. I am very pleased with the result. many thanks to Melanie of ShamrockDesktop, who has developed, built, and managed my web site since the company started over ten years ago.
Four Seasons Hotel display
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September 17 and 18, I will be in the lobby of the Four Season’s Hotel in Vancouver displaying a few boats, working on a greenland boat and paddle, and talking with patrons Throughout the summer, the hotel has been inviting various local artists to display local talent and this weekend, they will be featuring my company. Several kayaks will remain on display following the weekend.
Vancouver Wooden Boat Festival
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Come check out some of my boats at the annual Vancouver Wooden Boat Festival on Granville Island, Friday thru Sunday, Aug 26 – 28. If you want to join my booth and show your boat, give me a call. The more boats the better. I will have several kayaks, a cedar canvas canoe that I restored, and maybe my pram.
New projects
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I have been working with pleasure on an old Ken Douglas sailing dingy. Ken Douglas built beautiful cedar lapstrake boats right here in the greater Vancouver area until recently. To own one is an honour as each one was built to each customers wishes and specifications. The work being done is minor. Cleaning up the hull, re-caulking some seams, then painting and varnishing. The other more interesting project is a turn of the century canoe built in Peterborough, probably by the Lakefield Canoe Company. It is a unique design in which there are battens over the planking inside seams. No canvas or covering on this one. Just good seams and swelling of the hull makes it watertight. It will not be likely that I will get it watertight again, but the owner only wants it for display.
All moved in
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The move to the new shop is complete. New electrical and drywall and I am ready to get back to working on some boats. However this coming weekend I will be on display at the Fraser River festival in New Westminster, B.C. Thanks to all who visited our booth and tried out some boats at the Mountain Equipment Paddle Festival several weeks ago. There was a good turnout and the weather was fair.
Moving
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Last few weeks in the old shop. It will be odd not going there after 11 years. With the two small girls at home, I am looking forward to being able to spend more family time rather than spending most of my evenings and weekends in the old shop. I have no doubt that once the small ones are older, I will again be looking for a larger shop, maybe even purchasing one, and get back to teaching and allowing others to use my shop and expertise. But after ten years, it is my turn to set my own hours.
MEC Paddle Festival
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Orca Boats will be participating at the annual MEC Paddlefest to be held on July 10, 2011 at Jericho Beach and Sailing Center. Come on down and try out one of the boats or talk to me about building your own kayak from plans or a kit.
Moving date
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One month until I move into my new home shop. The place is wired, insulated and will be getting a double wall of drywall for soundproofing. Don’t want to upset the neighbours too much. I will be looking at all the materials and boats in the shop and will be reducing pricing on many items including up to 50% of demo kayaks from original new pricing. If you have been browsing through the kayaks for sale page and have been wondering, now is the time to make an offer. Any reaonable offer will be considered. Would rather have someone enjoying it on the water than have to move it.
Orca Boats is Moving
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Yes, after more than ten years in the same location, we are moving the shop. We have purchased property in Coquitlam on which there is a small shop. It is our goal that we will be completely moved by the end of June, 2011. We will still offer all the services that we currently do except for the option for customers to build their own boat in the shop.
