By Rick Winn

     Interview with Paul J. Heyse – Mr. Editor, The Gaff Rig

     Rick: What first interested you in sailing?

     Paul J: When I was a kid I would go fishing with my father out in some of the local harbors around New England. My dad would row our 15’ boat out to a good fishing area and we would drop anchor and fish for the day, then he would row us back into the boat ramp. Sometimes he would have to row for an hour to get back in. Well, one day we were out in the harbor fishing and I saw my first sail boat. It was a gaff rigged oyster smack sailing out of the harbor to the oyster beds outside the breakwaters. But there wasn't just one, several more sailed past us that morning.
     Well to say the least I was impressed. A boat you didn't have to row or put a noisy, smelly old outboard on that didn't always start. Yes I was in love for the first time. What a way to move a boat, just quietly glide through the water, waving to people as you go by. Yes sir, it was true love, not to mention pretty darn cool too!
     Now, how to get to do that? Well, I'll just bug dad till he can't take it any more and he will build one. It took three years, but my plan worked. Dad built a small 14' sailboat out of plywood and timbers and I helped build it. My mom sewed sails during the winter as we built the boat. I was in hog heaven. I was going to go sailing! But I didn't know how to sail. Didn't have a clue how they worked. But dad would know, so I would learn from him. Everything is cool. Soon we would be sailing.
     Then one day this man came to the house. He and my dad talked for an hour or two, then they went outside to the garage where the boat was sitting on a trailer all ready to go. Well, my dad came back in and talked to my mom but the man didn't come back into the house. I looked outside and saw him driving away towing our sailboat behind his car. So I ran into the kitchen and yelled "that man is stealing our sailboat!" Well, my dad softly said that the man had bought the boat and we had built it for him. I was devastated to say the least. Then my dad reached into his pocket and handed me five brand new ten-dollar bills and said that was my pay for working on the boat. I was rich! To an 11 year old $50.00 in the late fifties was a fortune. But we still didn't have a sailboat and I was not going to go sailing.
     My dad then said he had made enough money on the boat to build us one too. This was great news. I was going to get to sail plus I was rich too! Now I'm back in hog heaven! The next spring we launched our boat and sailed out into the harbor past all the guys fishing in small boats and waved to them as we went by. It was the coolest thing I had ever done. It took four years from seeing my first sailboat to holding the tiller in my hand; a long time when you are a kid, but well worth the wait.

     Rick: What boats have you owned and what is your sailing experience?

     Paul J: I have had several boats in my life so far. My first sailboat, besides the one my dad and me built, was a converted lifeboat off of an old freighter. It had a steel hull and an aluminum mast with some old tanbark sails. It didn't sail well, but was fun anyway. I gave it away to a friend when I moved out of New England. For many years I did not own a sailboat because I worked in boatyards and got to go sailing whenever I wanted on boats up to 50'.
     In the early nineties I started doing some design work on my own and built the third boat I had designed. It is my 18' racer that I still have, and, am still finishing the re-design on it. I started building my Weekender two years ago and additionally have built several small rowing/sailing skiffs in that time too. As it now stands, I have three boats, all in different stages of construction waiting for the weather to get warmer. It is going to be a very busy spring to get all three boats done and ready for the water.

     Rick: Why did you become interested in boat building?

     Paul J: I became interested in building boats with my father in the 50's as I related earlier. It has lead to working for boatyards and boat builders on both coasts of the U.S. for over 25 years. For me it is something I really enjoy and am good at doing. In my opinion it is the best way to get the type of boat you want for far less than if you bought a production boat. And every one of them is a learning experience.

     Rick: Why did you choose a Stevenson's project boat?

     Paul J: I was looking for a small easy to trailer sailboat to have fun in. When I came across the Stevenson Projects web site I was intrigued with the designs. They where good looking, small, easy to build boats. Not like the racing designs I was doing. I also found several web sites of people who where building the Weekender. It looked like fun. So I purchased the plans and video and have had fun with the project.

     Rick: Why, in light of your experience working with a Stevenson's project, should others choose a Weekender, Vacationer, Pocket Cruiser for a first boat project?

     Paul J: For first time builders who have little to modest woodworking skills and do not wish to fund a large budget any of the Stevenson designs are a good choice. The learning curve is not to steep, and the purchase of materials can be spread out during building. The boats are light in weight so easy to trailer, launch, and retrieve. And with that modest budget a nice daysailing or overnighter can be built that will last for years with proper care and maintenance.

     Rick: What are your thoughts on being a part of the BYYB? (i.e., why join, support, and participate?)

     Paul J: The BYYB is a real good thing. When it was formed there was no such organization anywhere for backyard builders. By becoming a member of the BYYB each builder helps a family of other builders to promote their hobby of building a sailboat or their interest in sailing. Regattas or get-together's are being set up all over the country. This is something that gives each builder a goal to shoot for after finishing his or her sailboat. They also provide a chance to meet other people who have built the same or like boat and the opportunity to look them over in person. And of course, there is the opportunity for some friendly sailing.

     Rick: Where would you like to see the BYYB go in long term development?

     Paul J: I for one would like to see the BYYB grow and develop a stable base of members around the U.S. and the world. I would like to see many regattas in different parts of this country and in others as well. I hope that in the future there might be some type of national regatta held that members from all over the country attend. I would also like to see the BYYB become the best association of home builders of sailboats the world has ever seen and be a role model for others to follow.

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