Buying the Boat

We’re excited to announce a huge step forward for the Building Resilience project—we have officially purchased the boat kit that Richard will use to sail the Mississippi River from Minneapolis to the Gulf of Mexico. The dory will be built from a kit created by Chesapeake Light Craft, a company known for its exceptional craftsmanship, beautiful designs, and a deep passion for small wooden boats.

From the first conversation, we knew we were in the right hands. The boat’s designer, John Harris, and Chesapeake Light Craft’s president, Ed Wigglesworth, were incredibly generous with time and advice, offering guidance on what the journey will require and how to configure the boat for maximum safety, strength, and success. Their expertise and kindness gave us confidence that this vessel will be the perfect partner for the adventure ahead.

A Miniature Model With a Big Purpose

The photos in this post show a scale model of the dory—a glimpse of what the full-sized boat will look like when complete. Richard built this model as a hands-on learning experience, practicing the stitch-and-glue construction techniques and walking through the full building process on a smaller scale.

The same process used to craft the model will guide the construction of the real boat when the full-size kit arrives this December. Building the model wasn’t just fun—it was essential preparation for the long months of work ahead.

The Journey Moves Forward

This boat represents more than wood, epoxy, and hours of labor. It marks the transition from planning to action. Every step brings us closer to the launch date in August 2026, when this dory will begin its 2,000+ mile journey down the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico.

We’re grateful to Chesapeake Light Craft for their advice and expertise and to all of you following this adventure. More updates are coming soon—next stop: building the full-size dory.

Stay tuned, and stay resilient.