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Bill Mattson and his Dad

Some time ago Bill wrote me a note:

"Will,
My dad will be 90 years old this year. He has a myriad of health issues, but is hanging in there. At this point in his life, he establishes targets to live to. "I'll make it to Thanksgiving", "I'll make it to Christmas". Right now, he plans on making it until I get out there with my own model boat this next summer and sail it with his. "

Bill made a wonderful video of building the T27 for his Dad. He used a song that they used to sing in his family when he was growing up to accompany the film. The video is a work of art and a beautiful tribute to Bill's Dad. It is one of the nicest tributes to our boats that we have ever received. Thanks so much Bill!

Click here to view Bill's video of his T27, "Comme Sea, Comme Ca" in the best resolution (largest file size) - RC Model Sailboat video by Bill Matson

Click here to view Bill's video of his T27, "Comme Sea, Comme Ca" in the medium resolution (medium file size) - RC Model Sailboat video by Bill Matson

Click here to view Bill's video of his T27, "Comme Sea, Comme Ca" in the low resolution (small file size) - RC Model Sailboat video by Bill Matson

Recently Bill sent me another note: "The video has touched a lot of people who have seen it. It has had a particularly strong impact on sailors, as I expected it would. Everyone gets touched by the father-son relationship in the video. But only sailors get the bonus of the spiritual nature of sailing added in. He passed away on Sept 24. An avid sailor when he was younger, your boat let him sail again at age 89.
What you do is definitely meaningful. Your kit was easy enough and inexpensive enough for this first time model boat builder, yet yielded a craftsman-like product worthy of being considered a priceless gift, and an enduring family treasure. That is a tightrope that you have executed perfectly, and I commend you for it.
Bill"

Tippecanoe in Northern Idaho

Thanks Will. My son and I were just sailing the boat the other day. We live on Hayden Lake in No Idaho--I can sail here on my own dock--I'm really not a sailor, having grown up around sportfishing boats all my life. But I thoroughly love the enjoyment this boat gives me. Just installed rechargeable batteries, which makes getting her ready a lot easier. Thanks again for such a great product--Earle

Earle, Thanks for these great pictures of your T27! Happy Sailing, Will

Tippecanoe enjoys the Seattle Sailing Pond at South Lake Union Park

Hey Will, Please find some photos attached. I happened to come past the model boat pond today and noticed a number of gentlemen sailing their Tippecanoe Boats. It was quite a sight to see. Is there a regular get together? Thanks!
Galen

Beautiful evening shots of your T-Class Racing Sloop sailing, Galen. Thanks so much! The sailing group you saw was composed of some of the members of the Pacific Northwest Model Yacht Club sailing their T37s (click here for their web site RC Sailing with The Pacific Northwest Model Yacht Club ). The PNMYC has been very active under the very able leadership of Commodore Allan VanNess and currently has 120 members sailing T37s including two Olympic Gold Medal winning skippers.

PNMYC T37s racing in the Seattle Sailing Pond

T37 Built with pride by Joseph Smith, New Jersey

Joseph just ordered his second T37 kit so his nephew can skipper one of the boats and they can race together on local ponds and lakes. His second boat will have a yellow mainsail with a blue jib. Joseph designed his custom stand from parts he saved from an old chair. Joseph is 72 years old, and still having lots of fun. It was good talking with you today Joseph! Thanks for your new order.

Happy Sailing,

Will

Dear Will,

Here are photos of our sailboat. We really are enjoying it. We couldn’t get a full shot of the lighthouse, but the boat is the finishing touch for our pond. We enjoy sitting on the porch swing in the evenings and relaxing.

Thank you for the beautiful workmanship.
Sincerely,
Kathie Lukens, Hartville, Ohio

Tippecanoe goes to Raanana, Israel!

Hi Will,

I promised to send you photos from the Holy Land - please find our boat
sailing in the Mediterranean Coast near Herzliya, just north of Tel-Aviv (In
the background are my kids).
Best Wishes,
Mickey

Jellybean's Maiden Voyage - T15 Racing Sloop

I bought a Sloop from you at the Wooden Boat festival in Port Townsend! I love her so much! Thank you for her! Took my little sloop to Eagle Harbor today! It was a beautiful afternoon, partly cloudy with the sun coming out strong and lovely! We launched her from the boating ramp near the Waterfront park in Bainbridge Island.
Right away her blue and red sails caught the breeze and zipped away from the dock! She looked so beautiful slightly tipping to fill her sails, zipping along! It was so calm and beautiful out. She got aways out so I tugged on her string to have her head back to me, she really wanted to sail farther, but gave in and started tacking back and forth to me! Then she was off again veering away catching the breeze further out into the Harbor! I could tell she really loved being out there, sailing.
She got quite a few comments. One shouted, "That's awesome!". Another making a joke about how much of a launching fee they charged me! They thought she looked great out there!
Finally it was time to reel her in, she sailed back with a little reluctance. Gosh... that was so much fun!

Hi Will,
Thanks so much for sending the extra parts for the T-37. The boat is taking a winter vacation on my wall as seen in the attached photo.I intend to sail it in the Central Park pond next spring.
Daniel Jones