The Help

We began this project with no intentions of it being shared so widely.  Now, I'm not unrealistic, I know in the grand scheme of the social media and online world we are a very, very, insignificant dot.  However we had no idea that we would be making videos, let alone having a few thousand subscribers and followers.

We don't have a goal of being social media stars or getting rich from an online presence.  I'll say it again, we are just a regular family who happens to be building a big boat.  We are having fun writing about and recording the process and as long as it's fun we'll keep at it.  The fact that people follow along and seem to enjoy it is just an unexpected bonus.

With all that said I, of  course, recognize that there is an opportunity here to advance our project.  It would be foolish of me to squander it or to not at least attempt to capitalize upon it.  We don't talk about money very often in regards to asking people to contribute.  We don't have a Patreon account yet, I just don't think we are big enough.  Maybe someday, but right now if people want to get financially involved there are ways to do it as indicated at the top right of our site home page.  To be honest, I would much rather have people just check out the ads here on this site and on our YouTube videos and generate revenue that way.

However, there are more ways to capitalize on our audience then asking for money.  What we really want is for people to keep their eyes open and share information.

Our viewers can be a huge force multiplier as we attempt to track down all the things and materials we will need to build this boat.  We would love for people to let us know if they see something in their community, local craigslist or grandpa's basement that we can have or buy.

We would love to add instant history to our new boat by re-using and re-purposing old tools, equipment and materials.  If you are reading this, you can help!

We are not looking for free, although free is good, but quality components and materials that still have a lot of life in them that are affordable.  Below you'll find a list of things we are constantly searching our local area for.  We are willing to travel within several hundred miles of Rochester NY for the right stuff and will happily pay for shipping (if possible) for things farther away.

We would be so appreciative if you would take a look below and help us keep an eye out for the stuff that will help build our dream!

#1  Derelict wooden boat

If we found the right old boat, something beyond repair, it could prove to be a treasure trove of fittings, vents and salvageable lumber.  Additionally, old wooden sailboats with a lead keel would be a big help as well.  We'll need to add a few thousand pounds of ballast to our boat.  Having a supply of lead to melt down and cast into manageable size ingots would be great.  This is extremely high on our wish list but is harder to find than you might think.  We would be willing to pay for the right boat, but we would have to take into consideration shipping and trailering costs before we would be able to make an offer. 

#2 Scrap lead

As stated above, we want to use lead for our internal ballast material.  Lead ingots would be removable in the event of a grounding if we had to lighten our displacement.  Additionally its neater and more durable than filling the bilge with concrete.  Scrap lead prices have skyrocketed in recent years and is not that easy to come by.  If you see or know of a business or someone with old pipes, flashing, wheel weights, spent bullets and the like we would be very interested.  Even small quantities are worth it and we are more than willing to build up our lead supply one small batch at a time.

#3 Marine Diesel engine

While we may buy new, if we found the right used Marine diesel engine we would definitely consider it.  Our ideal used engine would be from either Beta Marine, Perkins or John Deere (4045) family.  We would love something naturally aspirated that operates at a low RPM.  We only need an 85HP but anywhere between 85 and 150 works.  We still haven't decided yet on keel cooling/dry stack or water cooled wet exhaust so that point is flexible.  While we have are favorites as long as it was a low RPM trawler style engine we would consider anything.

#4 Lumber and fastenings

This is another thing we are happy to collect in small batches.  Old beams and dimensional lumber of Douglas fir along with long lengths of oak and locust are highly desirable.  We're not worried about nail holes and imperfections.  There are so many hidden pieces of structural lumber inside a boat that we can easily find a place for less than perfect boards.  Maybe you know of an old boat builder with left over lumber and fasteners that will never be used.  Let us know so we can make an offer or arrange a donation.  Galvanized bolts, nails, threaded rod and wood screws are always in high demand.

#5 Bronze and copper fittings and fixtures

This is a tough one because bronze and copper are such a valuable scrap metal.  However we need all the parts of our drive train and more, like the stuffing box, stern bearing housing and various sea cocks.  If someone came across and old copper keel cooler that would be of great interest as well.  The list goes on and on because we don't know what we don't know since we've never owned a boat.  Chain plates, tie-off's, gauges or whatever you think we might be able to use.  If it's bronze and came from a big boat, we can probably use it!

#6 Steering and Anchoring parts and components

We need all the components of our steering and anchoring systems.  Some of the things I don't even know what they're called but I know we need them.  Hydraulic pumps and lines, the hydraulic ram that operates the rudder, heavy duty hydraulic (preferably) or electric windlass along with all the associated hardware, chain and cables.  Once again, we are not looking for free (although we happily accept donations) just stuff that is high quality with lots of serviceable life left in them.  Many old time work boats were fitted with ultra heavy duty things that were built to last.  Even things that need a refurbishment or a little TLC we can use.  The Diesel Duck is an over engineered vessel, and we want to keep with that theme of overly robust fittings and components.

Bottom line

The amount of support we have received so far has been tremendous and we are so grateful for it.  It has been a strong reminder of how people are essentially good at heart and truly seek ways to help others.

We hope to encourage that continued support by having our readers and viewers become extra sets of eyes and ears from all over the world.  So if you see something or have something or know someone who does, don't let it go to waste in the scrap heap. Let us put those things back to work at sea, where they belong!

Thanks for following along and don't hesitate to contact us with leads or links via the messaging system above or by sending us an email at: contact@seadreamerproject.com