Tiki Troubadour - the start of something BIG

[Ann and Neville Clement]

   Several years ago, Bob Bois contacted us re building plans for the Tiki 46.  Then some delays happened because of a move and a few years later he bought plans.  Then more delays happened due to economy and other issues.  But the dream kept pestering him and his family until finally the building site was completed and last night his polytunnel was filled with friends, food, song, and the laughter of a gang of children running freely into the party and then out onto the grass and nearby woods.  At last Bob and his friends got out their guitars and started the singing.  Sure they can sing and play well, but the event itself was what brought me nearly to tears as I recognized a family just starting on the adventure of a lifetime.  They will build their boat and go to sea.

   Of course it brought back memories for Nev and me of our own beginnings with Peace IV.  But what a difference!  We built before this website was available so we had none of the immediate and excellent information, fellow feeling, and informative and encouraging networking you all have here. It really does make a difference.  We had, and are grateful to still have, the Polynesian Catamaran Association magazine with photos and articles, but it only comes once a month so we need both.

    In that polytunnel we saw in our imaginations the finished boat.  The site is clean now, open, and there was the party in full swing, but the start will begin this week when the ply, glue, glass, and all the rest are ordered.  Bob's fine sons, wife, and a multitude of friends will come help and we will be there on line, over the phone, and driving over to visit when we are here in the summer time. 

    Building the boat is only part of what happens.  One also builds the community of folks that become involved in the project, the family joins together for the effort, and the builders themselves discover new strengths and abilities they never dreamed they had.  I know this because that is what happened to us and what I see whenever we find Wharram builders. 

    It is not easy - and the bigger boats and harder and take longer to finish.  It is not a project to take on lightly.  But we know Bob, Tess, Dante, and Jonah and we know their friends.  Good luck to you Bob.  We will be available to help and hope to mix glue soon.  I will send photos of the party secretly taken by your friend Sean Doyle when my daughter arrives to show me how.  Love, Ann and Nev

[Bob Bois]

Ann and Nev,
Thanks for coming to the party last night. It was only fitting for you two to be there for the opening of this project. Just so you know, we ended up playing music to the wee hours - even adding a fiddle and another guitar player to the building shed band. Later in the evening, we turned off all the lights and looked at the stars: Our friend Tom (lead guitarist) had an app for his iPhone that displayed star maps, and our other friend Tom (fiddle player and professor of astrophysics) was able to tell us all kinds of things we might not have noticed otherwise. After dragging ourselves out of bed this morning, we gathered in the shed this morning in brilliant sunshine to review next steps. I am project manager, Tess is budget officer (and a mighty stringent one!). Dante and Jonah are up for anything that has 'adventure' associated with it. Now that you know where the house is, drop by anytime. We're looking forward to the pics from Sean!
Take good care,
Bob, Tess, Dante, and Jonah

[Ann and Neville Clement]

Hi,
Well, it looks like we will be having your Tiki 46 and the Bylin's Tiki 46 starting to be built, and John James has just bought plans for the Tiki 30 from my son so all of you will begin building together this autumn within an hour's drive of each other. Now when we are in Rhode Island during the summers we can go boat shed visiting. George is pretty much decided to be building a Tiki 38 pretty soon and he lives here too, so it will be great fun for all the hull turning parties, fiberglassing parties, and eventually the launch parties. It is good to have that band! This is what I always hoped for. We will be building that nesting dinghy I told you about. Maybe we can get the band together for a dinghy launch next summer. Ann and Nev

[Jeff Kittle]

Congratulations to the Bois family!

I still have very fond memories of building our Tiki 46. In some bizarre way I would like to do it over again now that I know so much more than when I started! To satisfy the urge, I actually rented a garage here in our apartment complex so I can build a nesting sailing dinghy. Can't wait to get started.

Ann and Nev are the best support you could ever have. Jeff and I are available to try and answer questions also.

Good luck! Sue

[Bertrand FERCOT]

Hi Bob, Tess, Dante, Jonah.

Congratulations to have chosen to build a Tiki46. A such building request to be very persevering and patient.

Our Tiki46 building will need almost 12 years. The start at part time has been very fast with the help of all the family for big works but after become slower due to our departure in Martinique and sumer cruises and rig experiments aboard our Tiki30, broken arm and very few help from children (living their own way) and now building almost alone ( at full time). So globally our operative total building time is about 4.5 years at part time and 2.5 years at full time. Sure it could be shorter if I've built she in following exactly the plans, but I don't regret this extra time and work to get a boat more suited to our wishes (it's the great advantage in building yourself your boat).

I'm sure with your determination and enthusiasm and with the help of all your family and friends you'll build quicker your Tiki46. If I can help you with my own building experiences don't hesitate to question me.

We'll be happy to visit your building when visiting Ann and Nev.

Good luck and bon courage.

Bertrand and Marie-Helene