Glen-L Online Forum Members Organize Successful Gathering of Boat Builders

Take 20 home built boats, add to that about 50 people, toss in a ton of great food, drink and fun and you have the first annual Glen-L Gathering of boatbuilders. My brother Barry and I along with my husband John and Barry's wife Anke, were privileged to represent Glen-L at the Gathering. Many of us stayed at the cottages in the Lake Guntersville State Park as well as the campground. Accommodations were beautiful and the surrounding area was breathtaking.

It was a true honor to meet face-to-face so many folks who have built or are building our designs. We received the royal treatment and couldn't have had a better time. This Gathering was organized exclusively by the members of our online Boatbuilder Forum. It was rewarding to see this online community of like-minded boat builders organize and carry out such a successful event. The Gathering had been planned for about a year and pretty much everyone online had a part in it. Dave Grason, the Forum moderator and Bill Edmundson, a Glen-L builder were instrumental in getting the event started and scoping out the location. We all met at beautiful Guntersville Lake in Alabama during the weekend of October 26-28. The Gathering was such a success that a 2008 event is already in the works.

Many of the folks on the Forum have known each other for several years but had never met in person. Many were mainly known by their "Usernames" such as Leakcheck, UPSPirate, Mr. Hot Rod, gaffrig24 or Krugwaffle. Whatever their names, all are kindred spirits that have been infected by the boatbuilding bug. Builders came from all over the United States and Canada. The farthest traveled from Apple Valley, MN towing his boat and only beat the two builders from Canada by about 15 miles-also towing a boat.

Not only did the guys on the Glen-L Forum plan the event but also had awards made as well as planned, provided, prepared and cleaned up food for each of the three days and set the stage for a great time for everyone. The Forum has been buzzing with activity since the Gathering and many had comments to share:
  "It was great putting faces with names and being able to see how builders handled certain things I haven't done yet. I was impressed by the craftsmanship of all the boats." David Barrett, Georgia
  "Had a great time. Great people to be associated with! Lots of beautiful boats by even more beautiful people." Gary McCusker, Kentucky
  "It was an awesome weekend, much more fun than I had hoped, and I was pretty excited to go." Bill Eason, Georgia

In addition to Glen-L designs, there were boats built from other designer' plans such as Bateau.com, Stevenson Projects and Phil Bolger… all were welcome. Many who came didn't bring boats but were just eager to see the craftsmanship of others' work and glean some ideas for their own projects.

You don't want to miss the 2008 Gathering so keep an eye on the Glen-L Boatbuilder Forum at www.Glen-L.com. If you sign up for our free online Newsletter, we will keep you informed about all of the Glen-L happenings. Plus, the Newsletter articles, builder feedback and photos, tips and how-to information are indispensable to anyone contemplating building a boat.

One more thing I'd like to express is a profound sense of humility that I have the privilege of helping to carry on my father's vision of Glen-L Marine. It is an honor to have a part in the lives of so many great people. Boat builders are a unique breed of individual that value craftsmanship and the creating of something beautiful out of a pile of wood. They are what make Glen-L what it is today.

Gayle Brantuk, November 2007

E-ticket ride in Tom Drake's Glen-L Zip the "Irish Rose"

Captain Butch Barto's Glen-L Tahoe 23, "Innocence"

Glen-L Sea Knight built by Bob Maskel of Minnesota. Bob won the award for the longest tow.

Ray Macke's Glen-L Cabin Skiff. Ray has traveled over 24,000 miles of river in this boat. No wonder he named it "Therapy".