Dreams Won't Wait: A PocketShip build

“I really don’t know why it is that all of us are so committed to the sea, except I think it’s because in addition to the fact that the sea changes, and the light changes, and ships change, it’s because we all came from the sea. And it is an interesting biological fact that all of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea – whether it is to sail or to watch it – we are going back from whence we came.

[Remarks at the Dinner for the America’s Cup Crews, September 14 1962]”
― John F. Kennedy

Dreams won’t wait – how I got to a PocketShip build from a Dream

I’ve planned on building a sailboat going on 25+ years now, which started way back in the college days and probably earlier than that. I’ve been gaining skills for doing a sailboat build since then. Woodworking, metal casting, sculpting, fiberglassing, painting, and then some. You know dreams are manifesting into reality when you’ve mapped out the space on the garage floor and the materials charge hits your card then receive your invoice. I had specifically measured the length/width of the garage before we bought the house here at the beach on the coast of New Hampshire to make sure that I could in fact build a boat one day.

The plans and build guide for this particular boat was bought Oct 28, 2018. Closing date on the new house close to the ocean was Nov 16th, 2018. Some plans take a while to implement. The only thing I didn’t check was the height of the garage door. I could have used another foot or so to not have to make the tabernacle removable. Then again, the price and time was right on the house so I’ll happily adjust. I have the support of my S.O. and she realizes that the garage (which she called mine anyways) is going to be occupied more than usual. I’ve been building strip built kayaks, wood surfboards, and restoring other boats in there already.

Why a PocketShip?

I decided to build a PocketShip for many reasons.

• Space constraints – I needed to be able to build within a garage envelope due to our cold New England winters.
• I needed to build a maximum of 15′ length to be able to park the boat on our property – living at the beach we have no yard but have sufficient space on a parking pad for about a 17′ trailer. I wanted to avoid yard storage or slip fees.
• I really liked the look of PocketShip and that it does not look like all the glass boats out there. It will be my mini pirate ship. It’s also wood.
• It is small enough to build within a reasonable amount but the performance is admirable with its sail to displacement
• It can do periods of overnights for two people as well as daysailing for up to four people

It’s finally Happening

I received the ship date on my first order of the hull kit and timber which has really set things into motion. I am in the midst of restoration of a 19′ strip built kayak by Eric Schade that I am supposed to finish before starting the PS. I need to finish the final glass/epoxy removal and get the final sand and stain complete. Then glass and sand, and more sand, epoxy. It already has a spot along the ceiling that it lives via a hoist and will be out of the construction space. I do need to move around some things including getting some of my extra brew equipment to storage and other larger power tools that I don’t plan on using for a while.

Initial timeline

??? – Many moons ago in college I promised one day to build a sailboat
Oct 28, 2018 – ordered study plans and build guide
Nov 16, 2018 – moved to new house by water with a functional workshop garage
Aug 3, 2021 – requested shipping quote and verification of kit order sequence
Aug 10, 2021 – received shipping quote and initial invoice
Aug 21, 2021 – Drove to Mystic, CT to see PocketShip #1 and place my order (PocketShip #1 no show, order placed regardless)
Aug 22, 2021 – ordered 125# of lead
Aug 23, 2021 – saw Hull ID number in order – became more real
Aug 24, 2021 – Shipping date email update – time crunch panic ensued lol
Sept 8, 2021 – Shipping from CLC
Nope, Sept 7, 2021 – Shipped notification received
Sept 8th, 2021 – Arrived 36 miles from the house, panic sets in – must complete kayak faster
Sept 13, 2021 – delivery of materials scheduled

Ongoing and current timeline can be found on this page – https://dreamswontwait.com/pocketship-timeline/

Stay in touch and keep up with the PocketShip Build process

As far as names go, currently set on ‘Dreams Won’t Wait.’ I’m nowhere near retirement and didn’t want to wait or take a chance that I’d not be able to finish or enjoy it. Now that the domain is registered by, I’m definitely looking towards a more permanent allocation of that name.

Looking forward to the journey (maybe except for sanding, but that’s SOMEwhat meditative for me). Thanks for joining me and sharing in the process.

Check out the latest build progress here: https://dreamswontwait.com/pocketship-timeline/
Need to find some reference material to complete your own build or learn tips and tricks? Go here: https://dreamswontwait.com/helpful-pocketship-resources/

I welcome comments and questions about they process. I often learn more through sharing and teaching.