wood-burning stove, an honest galley, and comfortable accom- modations there is no suffering for the experience that might put my wife or others off. And it’s still small enough and close enough to the water to be connected with your surroundings. Te favorite spot is sitting in lawn chairs on the “front porch” while the water glides under your feet right in front of you. My second argument is cost. You can build a shantyboat


almost entirely from big-box lumber. Te only “exotic” building material is fiberglass and resin for the hull. All you need for power is a small kicker. Used or new, it’s a fraction of the cost of a big outboard, or even some sailing rigs. And you will only need the little gas tank that came with the motor. A couple gallons will take you surprisingly far, albeit slowly. Tere are no moorage fees and it’s just as easy to take it out for the weekend as an RV in the driveway, so you’re also likely to use it oſten. Tird is ease and speed of construction. All you need are


basic building skills. If you can imagine yourself constructing a shed in your backyard you can tackle this project. Because of the basic construction you could easily build one in a summer. No loſting, no compound curves, and little fairing. All you re- ally need are the tools most people already have in their garage. And you would be surprised at how many people volunteer to help with this type of project. So go ahead and build that smaller dreamboat that might


spend 2-3 years in your garage before it sees the water. But take a break one year and consider building a bigger, simpler boat for everyone else. You might find it’s actually the boat you didn’t know you needed. •SCA•


Marty Kasteler is a school teacher who currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. He has built several small sailing boats but plans on something bigger to go on coastal adventures with his wife and two dogs during the summer.


SMALL CRAFT ADVISOR


ABOVE TOP—Just as easy to take it out for the weekend as an RV. ABOVE—Shantyboat life.


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