Update on Jim Peerless’ Barrelback 19 project
July 11, 2017
We first reported on Jim’s project in an earlier CYOB issue. This was such a unique and well executed build it is well worth a follow-up.
“Fly Boy has been launched! We could not have asked for a better day at Hall’s Harbour in my view. With a handful of friends and random spectators on hand, foggy conditions to start, light winds, warm temperature and docile sea conditions, we were fortunate to have Greg Sanford of Salt Spray Boats in Hall’s Harbour to use his tractor to put the boat into and out of the water around a 37-foot tide. The boat and its systems performed impressively. I am still smiling from the events of that day!”
CY: When did you start building Fly Boy?
Jim: “Started to gather plans and materials to build this boat in the spring of 2014.”
CY: What’s the story behind the name?
Jim: “I was an airline pilot for 40 years.”
CY: Although well known in Ontario the Barrelback is an unusual design for this region. How did you decide to build this type of boat?
Jim: “Woodworking has been an on-again off-again hobby of mine throughout my life. Growing up on the West Coast, I always admired the look of the old Chris Craft runabouts and cruisers. I wanted something that would fit in my workshop/garage (both for building and later for storage of the boat). The Barrelback is the largest that would fit. I had built a Glen-L designed ‘Tiny Titan’ hydroplane when I was 14 and another when in grade 12 for a woodwork project. Since then only a cedar strip canoe about 10 years ago. You are correct, not many of this type in Nova Scotia so I will be looking for good boat ramps, lighter winds, and waterways with few obstructions or, at least those that have them well marked or charted. Launching Fly Boy in Hall’s Harbour goes against everything that you ever see published with respect to launching such boats, but that is one of the reasons I thought it would be historic and fun. It was!”
Jim has made some excellent videos of the build and launch. You can find them here:
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We would love to learn about more home build or custom build project, so if you know of any please send us a note.
