For this uniquely satisfying recreation there are many, many hundreds of different designs for boats.
At least one will surely do just what you want on the water, and will be easy to handle on land too!

When you first contact me we will need to discuss your special requirements, unless you have already firmly decided what design you want.  So...

INITIALLY:

• We discuss your special requirements and I suggest some types of boats which will meet your needs.  I explain for each type what it will do well - look after a young family; be fast & lively needing an agile crew; etc.  We would also look at the construction method, your budget and so on.
  
• If you know the exact design you want, you will wish to specify how you want her to look, timber to use, rig, fitting out, budget.
  
• Either way, it may take quite a lot of time for me to satisfy you that the boat will meet your needs, how she will look, price, delivery, etc.  I charge for this as AdviceLine time.
  If you go on to order your boat from me, as I hope you will, I deduct this AdviceLine time from the price of your boat.
  
• Charging for this time has three great advantages for you:
   - Firstly, you need not be concerned about imposing on my
     time.
   - Secondly, you need consider yourself under no obligation
     whatever to order a boat.  If you do order, the AdviceLine
     time is, of  course, free.
   - Thirdly, it ensures that my advice is completely impartial
      because I am not tempted to direct my advice towards
      securing your order.
  
• If in the end you decide not to order, I send you an invoice for the AdviceLine time.  If, as I hope you will, you decide to order your boat from me, I send an invoice for the agreed deposit.  The deposit secures your slot in the workshop schedule.  This may be some time ahead, depending on what is in the order book.

BUILDING:

• At least a month before I am about to start your boat, I write enclosing a To Start  `stage payment` invoice.
  
• You are always very welcome to come to the workshop to check out how things are going.  I encourage this because questions often arise as you see her growing.  They can be settled on the spot.
  
• When I start planking, when planking is finished, and at points during the fit-out, `stage payments` become due.  I give you as much advance notice of these as I can, so that building is not held up waiting for a payment.
  One delightful part of the building is the choosing of a name - something crisp, memorable.  Cox`n Cook  is one of my favourites, remembering a relative lost with the Margate lifeboat.
  
• Launch day approaches!

LAUNCH:

• A Launch Party is a great way to celebrate. We have often used the Public Slip at Totnes - it`s easy of access at Steamer Quay car park. It`s free.  There`s plenty of room for trestle tables for the `vittles` and grass for adults to sit & children to gamble on.  The new boat can be decorated with flags & streamers, and definitely a posy of flowers at the stem.  A little speech ending with the formal naming and libation - `bubbly` not essential, but a splash of something worthy of a beautiful lady - and we all drink a generous toast.  The owner(s) can try her out and then take out those `keen for a go`, passers by stop to admire, congratulations all round.  A most convivial time is had by all.
  
• The `Balance on Completion` payment is due.
  
• Happy & proud you take your new boat away, planning exciting expeditions on the way.

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