View From the Moaning Chair

December 2002 - January 2003

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
To download a pdf copy of the magazine click here: > DOWNLOAD

by Rod Tait

Photo by Rod Tait

To recall early experiences in building hand crafted wood strip kayaks, a litany of phrases come to mind like "if anything can go wrong, it will" or "measure twice, cut once", or maybe even "more is not necessarily always better". But the concept that best describes those initial construction days is that of the "Moaning Chair."

For those who may be planning to build your own boat, you too will need to find your own moaning chair. Whether it's an old lawn chair, a wooden stool or that old wooden crate in the corner of your garage, it will provide that place of solitude where you sit back and view your boat as it takes shape. It's the place where a builder flops his or her weary body to ponder the challenges that lie ahead, to ask - "How am I going to accomplish this?"

As I embarked on adding wood strip kayaks to my boat building experiences, I read numerous publications and attended several boat shows. After purchasing a set of plans, I painfully waited for them to arrive in the mail. Upon arrival, I placed a small,metal, folding chair in my small shop and proceeded to pour over the written and pictorial explanation of how to assemble my boat. I didn't know at that time that this very chair would become my "moaning chair."

A new cedar strip paddling dream turns into reality in Rod's workshop. Photo by Rod Tait

Throughout the months that followed, that old folding chair provided comfort to my tired body when needed, allowed me a good aerial view as the boat took shape, and folded up to allow room for frustrations to vent. It became my building partner as it traveled with me to the water's edge on launch day. That was some years ago and many boats have been launched since.

The boat building business has expanded and relocated several times, but that dedicated chair still sits in my shop. It no longer holds the title of moaning chair, but it still provides a place of comfort for customers who undertake building their own boats under my direction. Many customers have satin it to admire their accomplishments and countless photos have been taken from its aerial perch.

Photo by Rod Tait

After years of building, I now find pleasure in assisting others to realize their dreams. I am thankful to work in my own business where I am allowed to be creative, feel the sense of accomplishment in overcoming challenges, and can assist others to experience those same feelings. It's amazing that in the same moment one can feel frustration and relief, anger and elation, anxiety and calm, but in the end, always success.

First-time builders often ask me to critique and comment on the quality of their work. I am glad to share advice, but I can honestly say that I have never found a boat that did not fully express the desire and pride of the builder.

If you are thinking about building your own kayak, purchase a set of plans and find your own moaning chair. It will soon become your building partner and friend because the view from the moaning chair is always good. It's a place to proudly acknowledge your success as you turn your paddling dreams into reality.

© Text and photos by Rod Tait of Orca Boats Custom Boatbuilding. Rod designs, builds and teaches others to build wood strip canoes and kayaks through his courses and in his shop. He also took the cover shot of this issue.

E-mail: info@orcaboats.ca.

Web: www.orcaboats.ca.