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From: Eric Johnson <eric@theftnet.net>
To: West Wight Potter Mail List <wwpotter@tscnet.com>; Sail@Tx3. Com
<sail@tx3.com>
Subject: Some thoughts...
Date: Monday, September 21, 1998 4:45 PM
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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
"This Old Boat" by Don Casey is excellent. I'll buy this one soon. In one
volume, it discusses all the maintenance things and modifications we might
do in an easy-to-read and easy-to-understand manner. Unfortunately, it
really made my realize just how poorly my P19 was constructed (no backing
plates anywhere, for example, and almost nothing was bedded, except by
me)..
but the design is good and I can beef up the weak points.
I would have to agree/disagree with your comment about "poor" construction.
I have noticed what I would call "sloppy" construction, more terms of
finishing work(sealer smears, etc.). Overall I would characterize my P-19's
construction as "inexpensive". Casey tells of cleats that weren't backed
being ripped right off the deck of boats under tow. Could you imagine that
ever happening to a Potter? The upgrades you talk about are expensive(are
your backing plates stainless?) and obviously more labor intensive. I
didn't realize myself how inexpensively the thing was built until I took
delivery, but it's been relatively easy to add the backing plates etc. I
can get my materials for free so cost really hasn't been an issue, and I
like to think , like you , that the design can compensate for deficiencies
in materials. John Cairns WWP-19 #960