By Bruce S. Kershaw
A Profile of Builder Nelson Kovatch
We’ve all got the bug to some
extent. Nelson Kovatch is right up there with the best of us. About building a Weekender,
Nelson writes, "This is my first boat building project but it won’t be my last.
I enjoy the building process itself. I’ve got plans for three more boats, and
I’ve actually bought the materials for some of them. Unfortunately, I don’t have
the room to get another boat started, because I wouldn’t mind working on more than
one boat at a time." Now that’s dedication! 
When I drew Nelson’s name out of a hat full of BYYB members,
he was kind enough to subject himself to being my first victim in these member’s
profiles. This is a great way for all of us to get to know our fellow builders scattered
around the globe. I feel honored to be the one who gets to contact each of you one by one,
and learn about yourselves, your families, and where you live.
Central Texas, is where Nelson and his wife Dolly call home. They
have four sons between them. None of the boys have shown much interest in the Weekender
project, but Nelson bets that things will change once the boat is finished. There are at least nine lakes, suitable for
sailing, within a fifty mile radius of Round Rock. Lake Travis has a big fleet of
sailboats, and regattas all summer long. The Gulf coast and the Intercoastal Waterway are
three or four hours away. Nelson plans on doing allot of sailing, and some camping with
his wife.
He describes his occupation as ...taking care of people, their
computers, and their phones.
Years ago, Nelson was into painting. He painted pictures of
boats, almost exclusively. He also built a planked, model sailboat without ever a
conscious thought about buying or building the real thing. As he says, "Things seem
to have caught up with me." His new obsession started with the idea of building a
kayak. Nelson and a friend who had done some sailing, and was thinking about building a
boat, were searching on the web. They came upon the Stevenson’s site. Like most of
us, he was attracted to the looks of the Weekender. He ordered the plans, watched the
video, and was hooked. The thought of the freedom and tranquillity of sailing was just too
hard to resist. A big change from his high powered bay boat, that appeals more to his
sons.
So... Mr. Kovatch has set up shop in his garage. A place where in
the past, he has practiced other noble pastimes like wine making, and award winning beer
brewing. Boat building, he sees as a way to always do things bigger, and better.
A trumpet player, who plays in several big bands in the Austin area,
he would even like to cut back on his music, and concentrate more on boat building and
sailing.
Nelson can see himself taking long trips in his Weekender. Across
the Gulf of Mexico to the Yucatan peninsula, then on down the South American coast...
Texas to Maine... or perhaps following the Intercoastal Waterway around the Gulf to his
brother in-law’s place on Sugerloaf Key. Nelson told him about his plans, but
he’s not holding his breath. Admitting that some of this might sound a little far
fetched, Nelson says that he’s just foolish enough to try, and he’s wondering
about how to break the news to Dolly.
I don’t know about "foolish", Nelson.
"Adventurous" sounds better to me. If you give yourself enough time to hole up
somewhere whenever the weather is less than perfect...
When you pass through southwest Florida on your way to
Margaritaville, give me a buzz. I’ll drop my boat in the water, and if you don’t
mind the company, I’ll join you on the last hundred miles or so of your journey.
I’d love to see the look on your brother in-law’s face!
Top of Page
|
