Cider Update

Hey everyone! So, I managed about a week ago to transfer and re-rack my cider. My buddy Matt came over with an extra brew bucket, and after sanitizing we syphoned the cider out of Carboy #1 and into the brew bucket. The amount of yeast sediment on the bottom of the Carboy was astounding, and... a little gross but a good sign.

After the syphon did its job there was a small amount of cider at the bottom, I didn't want to tip the Carboy to syphon the last bit out because I wasn't keen on the idea of sucking up any of that yeast sediment. So, I tipped it and syphoned it into a glass for a first taste of what's to come. It was light in color, tangy with a yeasty quality but the apple flavor was there and there was no off flavors. GOOD NEWS!

After I cleaned out the Carboy and sanitized it it was time to move the cider back into the carboy. The transfer was complete and the airlock and plug were placed, I covered the carboy in a towel and moved it into my closet. Now it's a mere two-three more weeks until it's time to bottle. Hopefully I'll take some pictures then, we needed all 4 hands to do the syphoning so there were no photo ops.

Keeping Track of Time By Bubbles!

So, although I don't have any new pictures, I do have news to report. The bubbles caused by the fermentation seems to have hit its stride, she's bubbling constantly at a six second pace, "Blurp!" One. Two. Three. Four. Five. "Blurp!" On the six second mark, Your could set your watch by it!

The cider is also beginning to settle out, much of the heavy particles are settling to the bottom of the tank and the top inch is a distinctively lighter color. It's kinda parfait looking. I'll try to get a picture of it, although I'm not sure if it'll be easy to distinguish through the photo. It's only been what? A few days and I'm already obsessed with bubbles (although that could be a result of my rather slow nature) and I'm already counting down the days until bottling. It's gonna be a slow couple months.

It's Alive

I returned home after work yesterday, went over to my cider and gave it a little once over. It seemed that nothing had changed and it seemed to be dormant. But, as they say, "A watched carboy never bubbles." So as soon as I turned I heard a "blurp!" I spun but not quickly enough to catch the action, so I waited, and some time later, "bulrp!" a pocket of air pushed past the water in the air-lock and burst forth with fermenting jubilance!

I tried not to let this small triumph go to my head, and I proceeded with my evening fully aware that if I were to listen for the tell tale sign I would surely drive myself insane! So as I turned my attentions to other events, like the Yankees loosing! YEAH! The evening quickly wasted away and it was time for bed.

It was there that I began to lay awake unable to sleep that I began to notice the "blurp!" in the still of the night amongst the breathing of my chubby Elkhound sleeping on the couch. I tried not to listen to it again fearing for my sanity when I noticed the noise much more frequently than before, the fermentation was really beginning to happen, "It's Alive!" I muttered in a Gene Wilder voice and slowly drifted off to sleep counting the "blurps!" in my head. So although it will be sometime before I'm singing "Puttin' On The Ritz" with my jug of cider, I was resting easily with the knowledge that I was creating something.

More to come soon, pictures of the Cider as the sediment begins to fall and the cider's future becomes clear!

Ferment Me Baby!!!

So, I picked up my cider yesterday and oh how pretty she is! Rich delicious cider calling out, "Ferment Me Baby! Please Ferment Me!" to which I replied, "You Know I Will!" So this morning after bringing the cider up to room temp over night I mixed up a yeast starter and blended it into the cider inside the Carboy named EBISU!


Here's another pic of the Carboy, these aren't the best pics, I'll try to get a few good shots in some natural light later today. If it isn't dark by the time I get home. I clipped out the background so you can't see how messy my apartment is! HA! Marvel at the Cidery Goodness!!! So I know you're all excited to taste it, but alas, it'll be near Christmas when I bottle it! So those of you lucky enough to taste it are going to have to be very patient! The Fox Hollow Cider Experiment has begun!!!

My New Ventures

As this blog was actually set up not just for the boat, (which I fully intend on completing at some point and time) I'm here to tell you all (whom can still be found here) about the newest project I'm up to.

Hard Cider. Yep, that's right I'm making my own Hooch! I'm a huge Beer Nut and have always enjoyed the fruits of my own labor, so what better way than make my own beer right? Well, I will. But, in the mean time with some suggestion from my pal Mike, I've taken a slightly lazier approach. The approach of what I am speaking is of course the aforementioned Hard Cider.

So let's start from the beginning. I was down at my favorite local brewery ITHACA BEER tasting some of their delectable brews and looking at the home brewing equipment for sale and chatting with my pal Mike about home brews and the joy of drinking something you've made, and while this only wet my appetite for brewing I knew that my bank balance wasn't as into the idea as I was. It was at this moment where Mike informed me of his intention to go the "lazy" route, making hard cider. Un-pasteurized cider is full of Wild Yeasts and bacteria that will basically do the whole thing for you, and if you're really feeling energetic, you can add your own yeast, such as a champagne yeast and some extra sugars and really go balls out.

So, after thinking about it a couple days I decided that Hard Cider would be my fall project, so after buying a new 3 Gallon glass carboy, and air-lock, a packet of champagne yeast and some organic raisins (for extra sugars and yeast nutrient) I was in business. We dropped off our carboys at Little Tree Orchards, run by a delightful Jerry Garcia looking guy who informed us that they'd be juicing soon and that we could return in a few days to collect our carboys full of fresh un-touched apple cider.

After I pick up my carboy (tomorrow) I'll start the fermenting process, where the carboy will sit for approx. 1 and 1/2 to 2 full months letting the sediment drop to the bottom and the yeast to do its thing. Then I'll be bottling it into 22oz champagne style bottles where it will continue to age for 3-6 months. I'll be adding pictures and updates as I go, look for the first images early next week, for now, I'll leave you with my label design for Fox Hollow Hard Cider.

Hank Aaron Signature Mitt completed!

I have recently finished my second complete baseball mitt. You've seen the before pictures, the tan lace had begun to dry-rot from the years and I have replaced every bit with new matching red leather lace. I had the lace custom cut by a local tanner and this thing is gonna be a great glove. Here are some new pictures.


As you can probably see, the custom cut leather is a lot "thicker" than the original lace, which made it hard for me to keep flat. But, I'm confident that when I order me new lace for future projects I'll make more progress. This lace is very strong, so the glove needs to be worked in with some hard line drives and throws. It's a sweet glove, and is for sale, as well as my Bobby Bonds signature that I finished a couple weeks back.

Furthermore, if there is anyone out there who's reading that either has a project glove that they have no need for I'm looking for my next project glove (softball or baseball). Or if you have a glove that needs repair, my services are available. I'll post the Bobby Bonds mitt later this week. Although I don't think I have any "before" pictures, but I bought it for .99 so you can imagine it needed a lot of help!

Time For An Update

Well, it's certainly been awhile since I've written anything here so I think it's time that I update you all, if anyone is still checking up on the status of my canoe. I am at the moment at still trying to build up enough money to re-start work on the boat. I'm hoping to pick up some part-time work to help with the costs of the boat and I hope to resume work as soon as Mid-November. I also hope to post some of my other projects/small ventures here soon.

For instance I have begun re-lacing baseball mitts and have recently completed my first glove start to finish and have a 1960's - 70's Hank Aaron model that I'm in the process of fixing as well. I'll post some pictures soon. But for now here are some "Before Pics" of the MacGregor Hank Aaron Model.




Pretty sweet right? I've finished the pocket and the finger lacing and now I'm working on the inside lacing on the heal of the mitt. This is no easy task, so I'm taking my time. Check back on Saturday or Sunday, maybe I'll finish it this weekend. The new lace is custom cut, dark red. It's the tits!

The Need To Produce!

Hello all, yesterday was a great day. My brother Tristan got his first wooden boat on the trailer and out of the shop. See: http://longpointskiff.blogspot.com for the construction of his Tom Hill designed Long Point Skiff.

On my side of the things, I'm sad. The fact that as usual I got myself so stoaked for building my first wooden boat, all be it a little smaller than Tristan's first venture. I'm pretty bummed out at the lack of forward momentum. I'm very hopeful that this winter will prove much more productive. Anyway, check out Tristan's progress at his blog.

Thanks All

Payson's Pirogue

Checking out some photos on www.woodenboat.com I found another picture of Payson's Pirogue, it's the same boat that my brother took a picture of but at a different angle, so it gives you a different feel for the boat. This version of the Pirogue doesn't have any outer gunwales, I'm not sure whether of not they're supposed to be there or not, I think I'll put some on, it looks better.


As anyone who has followed probably knows, I had been fairly set on naming my 6-hour canoe, The Whimbrel. I thought it sounded elegant, but the more I say it and hear it, it seems old-fashioned and well kind stuffy. At the same time I have no real connection to the name and since this project, when I finally get around to it! is such a personal project, I think it would be better to name it for something that reflects myself. Therefore, I am officially scrapping the name. At this time I don't know what the name will be, but I'm sure it will come to me down the line during the building process.

Sorry for the confusion, but as many of you know I can be quite indecisive... And besides, I'm the only one with a vote!

A Quick Rendering

Here's a little look at what I'd like the final look of UNTITLED to look like, it's a little rough and there are a few small pieces missing such as the interior gunwales which I couldn't really draw in without the plans handy, and as I drew this on my lunch break, I didn't have the book.

I put short "AirBoxes" probably to be filled up with styrofoam of something buoyant(spell?). A deep red or maybe a seafoam green like my favorite boat from the Skaneateles Boat Show (see older poasts), most likely a little richer than this looks with a cream(ish) interior and natural Gunwales/accents. The side view isn't really true to what it would look like from the side but it gives you enough of an idea I guess. Anyway, the fact that I can't do any work right now is causing a bit of cabin fever and anxiousness. Therefore I did all I can; A little drawing.

Dilemas & Revalations

So, as you may remember from the post below, my boat project has halted due to lack of expendable funds. Now that I have way way too much time on my hands I found myself thinking and reading about other small crafts that would fit my needs the way the 6-hour canoe would.

In my reading of "Instant Boatbuilding" by Dynamite Payson (which is a collection of the late Phil Bolger's plywood boat designs) lies Payson's Pirogue, a stitch and glue 13' open kayak. After reading about the boat, and it's instructions about three times, I picked up my 6-Hour Canoe book and started making a list of pros and cons for each craft. Given my size and my intentions for the craft I'd made a desicion that Payson's Pirogue is a better fit for my needs and ambitions. The constructions is relativly simple (as is the 6-Hour Canoe) with a few more challenging aspects to its construction, including a full sheathing of fiberglass on the outside of the hull, and the stitch & glue process as well as far less detailed instructions leaving more for me to suss out on my own.

The two black and white pictures are from the "Instant Boatbuilding" Book of the Pirogue and the fiberglass step. The color picture is of a finished Pirgoue at the Wooden Boat Show in Mystic, CT courtesy of my brother Tristan. I have no idea who the fat guy in the background is....although he doesn't seem to pleased with Tris.

Anyway, enough about that grumpy bastard. The Pirogue project is penciled in to start this winter, it should be a good project to fill the dreary winter months for a Spring time launch. I will continue to write (poorly) about the Pirogue process and plans. All in all maybe having no money is a blessing in the end...

p.s.
In addition to this small craft being better suited and all that jazz I wrote above there is another reason for wanting to build this model rather than my previous plan. Phil Bolger took his own life recently due his slip into dementia and his desire to end his life before having it be ruined, and as I searched for people like me who have the drive to build a small craft, and more specifically the passion to build Payson's Pirogue I was stunned to find nothing. I could find no pictures or accounts of someone building the boat. So, I will thoroughly document and share the process of building Payson's Pirogue: A Phil Bolger Design.

Updates

Hello all,

I wanted to take some time to give everyone an update as to where I am with the boat. Production has been slowed and pushed back a bit due to lack of funds. I was hoping to have the canoe built before the end of this summer but as the weeks have been flying by it seems less and less likely. I'm going to be seeking some part time employment to help build some savings for UNTITLED. Rest assured the project is alive and well, just on hold. I'm hopeful that I can save up enough for the project come fall and it should be a fun project to work on during the dull fall & winter.

Thanks for following my blog entries and they will continue despite the slow progress.

A Few More Gems

So I couldn't help but add a few more pictures from my first boat show. It was unfortunate that I couldn't get as close to some of the boats in the water, I'm sure I missed out on a lot of details. But, seeing as I got to see more delicate small and older crafts (which I really love) I'm not too upset. Anyway enjoy these extra images, we've got a great little steam launch, a skinny long runabout, a sweet wooden catamaran, a strip built sailboat, and a mahogany powerboat with the "Tower of Power" Merc inline six, that everyone has told me didn't work for shit but the boat did hold a speed record at 88mph set back in the late 70's I believe.

So if anyone wants to go to Skaneateles next year for the show hit me up, cause I'll be there. Maybe I'll even bring my boat and paddle around one of the nicest of the Finger Lakes.

Antique Boat Show

So Saturday found me in Skaneateles, NY at the Antique Boat Show. There was really a great showing of boats ranging in style and age from 1800's Adirondack Guide Boats to 1930's Runabouts to a 2009 electric boat. Here are some of my favorites including the one I voted for.

A C B S - Voted Fan Favorite By ME

I wasn't fortunate enough to speak with the owner of this amazing 1930's Lapstrake Row Boat. As you can see I did take the time to look at all of its details, hoping that the owner would notice me and come back to his boat.

Rusticulo

Pine Cone

Painted Lady

No Name

There are so many more pictures from the show but it would take up three pages just to get half of them in, so if you're interested in more images I'd be glad to email you some more of the "greatest hits" from my trip.

On a side note Johnny Angel's Heavenly Burgers are just that...Heavenly! WHOOO Baby that was a messy and delicious burger!

13 Visits From Brazil?

To whoever or whatever was cycling through my blog page from notebooks.brasil.blogspot.com Quit it...You're not wanted...Cause you're not reading...Dick

What A Beauty

I was down at the Ithaca Farmer's Market about a week ago when I saw this beautiful wooden 1960's Herreshoff Sailboat. It was too bad I didn't get to see her moving out on the lake with her sails up cause it was pretty blustery day, but ah well maybe when I'm out on the lake myself.

I'm headed to Nantucket on Wednesday morning, so I won't have anything to post until I return, but I'll be meeting again with Justin and should head full steam into production/assembly of The Whimbrel.

As well as images from The Whimbrel's assembly I'll be headed to the Skaneateles (Skin-E-at-less. That's a tough one) Antique Boat Show the weekend of my return and I will fill my blog with pictures of the best and most unique boats I can find.

A pic from last years boat show lead me to the conclusion that I'm gonna see some really amazing crafts out there. Also the town is apparently a) really fucking nice... and b) tastey food, including a sweet diner with DYNO-MITE Burgers!!!!!!

Anyway, I'm out look out for pictures of boats, and my boat actually looking like a boat!

DAVID MILLAR COULDN'T HOLD THEM OFF BUT THE THOR GOD OF THUNDER TAKES THE STAGE!

STAY AWAY FROM THE PELETON DAVID!!!

The Stern Stem

So I know that I haven't posted pictures in a while, here is some stuff that I've been lazy about putting up. This is the work on the Stern Stem for The Whimbrel, I used my electric planer and finished with my block plane and sanded it. I even made a little movie when I was trimming off some excess.

Stern Stem

Toggle The Timer To Make Me Dance

So, I didn't want to make the video to long and there isn't any sound, so just imagine a deafening "NNNEEEAAAAOOWWWHHHH" when the planer starts spitting sawdust and shavings through the air. I was taking down the top part of the 2x4 so that when I began planing the angles I wouldn't have to deal with all the extra wood. It's important to get nice even cuts along the stem to ensure a tight bond with the sides of the hull. Having nice "clear" and high quality wood is a big help.

Planing Away

You Can See The Stem Taking Shape

So now that I have two completed stems I'm set to work on the frame. Justin (The Shipwright) is back in Ithaca and we're gonna get together and work the plan out for getting the boat done in a timely manner. I'm not sure if I'll be able to get anything else done before my trip home, but I'm sure that upon my return I will into the full swing of things and hopefully, progressing nicely. I hope to have some more things done, and I'll post some pictures from my trip. Thanks for reading....

Enough *&%#ing Around

So, the forecast is finally clear for two days, Saturday and Sunday. I doubt I'll have much time on Saturday to work being July 4th, but I'll at least take a few pictures of what I've made. Sunday should be a little better I hope to put the frame together and also pick up some epoxy/fiberglass. Thanks for putting up with the lack of progress for those of you who are still interested in this slow slow project.

On a side note, the shipwright should be returning soon and once I'm able to move inside it should be so much easier to move things along. I've emailed him to see if he's out of the Atlantic soon, my trip home will disrupt progress a little bit, but who can argue with a week on the beach. NOBODY!\

Check back Monday for some pics of the Stems, Frame and my smiling face.