What I learnt from building Tshaya

Most engineering constructions are three-dimensional. Boats have an additional complication – curves in several directions. Therefore to build accurately requires templates, jigs and temporary supports to position and align the many curve components relative to the keel of the vessel. This requires a thorough understanding of three-dimensional geometry and the structural advantages versus weight of different types of materials.

Many boats can spend much of their working lives in the sea, wind and rain. In the case of wooden boats, the challenges of laminating and jointing the various timber components are considerable. Tshaya was constructed with a laminated keel, stringers, chines and gunwales.

The frames were built from machined hardwoods reinforced with marine plywood. The skin of the vessel was cold molded marine plywood, covered with a thin epoxy fiberglass coating.

The challenge in building any boat is to keep the water out and if it gets into have a way of pumping it out. These turned out to be wonderful challenges and by drawing upon the expertise of older and more experienced boatbuilders, I was able to overcome them. Sir Isaac Newton once said : “It is only by standing on the shoulders of giants that I have seen further.” I have been humbled by what many others have been prepared to teach me.