Why Build this Boat? The Tolman Alaskan Skiff is a remarkable craft that is just about perfect for my needs. Designed by Renn Tolman of Homer, Alaska, it has evolved as any good design should: perfected by practical experience. Renn not only designs boats but has personally built close to hundred boats and subsequently travels throughout Alaskan waters in his own creations. This fits my definition of a “Working Theory”.  As to why this boat is ideal for me in both form and function: • It can be built by one person with average skills, tools, and shop space. • At 24' and 3000 lbs., it can be trailered behind a half-ton truck (Ford F-150 in my case) • The enclosed cabin is well suited to the Pacific Northwest boating season as it has been known to rain a bit and I intensely dislike summer mosquitoes. • For two people, the galley and sleeping berth are well suited for spending a couple of weeks out enjoying the beauties of this area. • The Internet: just about everything one needs to know about building a Tolman can be found on the web. The resources abound with experienced builders, supplies, advice, and forums. I have a links and resource section that will lead you to some of the ones I have found very helpful. This was the deciding factor for me in choosing this boat over several other designs. • Last and not least is seaworthiness. While 99% of seaworthiness resides in the person at the helm, the Tolman Skiff has a reputation for offshore capabilities in the Alaskan waters. (My wife was plucked from these waters by a Coast Guard helicopter after the 90’ yacht she was on sank in a storm, and so we are very picky about the concept of seaworthiness in both the boat and skipper.) Because there are so many excellent resources about the Tolman Skiff on the Internet, I will not reinvent the wheel and duplicate the content. Just navigate from my “Links and Resources” page to see and read all you can to inspire to build your own. Likewise, my builder’s log section does not go into detail on how to build a Tolman, but highlights the areas where I have deviated from the standard methods and techniques, sometimes by choice and sometimes not. My background in boat building is about average for a guy who has always wanted to do something like this. I have good carpentry skills, an average set of tools, can read and understand most instructions, and most important, the drive to do a good job and enjoy the process.
 
Link to My Building (B)Log
Paul Nelson and Ray Brown heading down the Columbia River, Portland, Oregon 2006
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