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Cape Falcon Kayaks  2016 update

3/29/2016

20 Comments

 
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For almost a year this little grey update box has sat empty while my email inbox has steadily filled with people wondering if I’ve dropped off the proverbial waterfall at the edge of the planet.  The truth is, my health situation has been pretty rough lately and I’ve been quietly hoping things would improve before I had to write again.  For those of you who are new to the site, a long fight against chronic illness forced me to shut down Cape Falcon Kayak classes at the end of 2014, and an ongoing medical investigation revealed a fairly advanced peripheral neuropathy, widespread autonomic dysfunction, and a host of other devastating cardiac and neurological symptoms that have yet to be explained.   

Needless to say, this was not part of the plan. 

Over the course of the last year I’ve had a hard time reconciling my faith in power of the the human body to heal, with the reality of a personal situation that has proved thus far unresponsive to that sentiment.  Staying positive while living with disabling pain levels, dwindling finances, big changes in my living circumstances, and the inability to do almost everything I formerly enjoyed is beyond challenging.  I’ve always believed that with enough positivity and determination that anything is possible, I don't think I'll ever stop believing that, but you can imagine just how difficult it is to be proven wrong day after day.  It's a complicated existence, and one I'm still struggling to find my footing in.  On a more positive note, it inspired me to get a cool new tattoo.  :)

Also a bit jarring is being back in the city after nearly 15 years nestled in the coastal rainforest surrounded by old growth spruces haunted by barred owls, dripping sword ferns hiding golden chanterelle mushrooms, blankets of moss overshadowing secretive herds of elk, thundering surf endlessly delivering the beach sand between my toes, and emerald rivers hiding the distinctive twisting flash of those gorgeous winter steelhead trout.  I can't pretend that I don't miss it.

Still, if I had to choose any city to live in it will always be Portland, Oregon, so I count myself fortunate.   Bookstores, good parks, great food, and a general warmth that is missing from most large cities.  I try to focus on the good things.
For those who remember the last update, I’d just purchased a 7.3L diesel Ford super duty van as a potential mobile workshop/home-on-wheels.  Since then I made some significant upgrades in the form of a custom built interior that serves excellently as both a living space while still leaving plenty of room for supplies should I ever get well enough to take my classes on the road again.  In addition to the clever storage and custom cabinetry, I also added a mini off-grid electricity system complete with solar panels on the roof to supplement the alternator power, an extra deep cycle battery, and a 2000 watt inverter (because lets face it, life without an electric tea kettle is simply not civilized).  The build was the most fun I’ve had in a long time.  Thanks to my friend Paul for helping me install a nice stereo system!
With the van complete, I wanted to take a road trip, and a client in Chicago who needed a Guideboat delivered gave me a perfect opportunity to offer some amazing customer service while saving on shipping.  After dropping off the guide boat I figured:

"Hell, it's not like I have anything else to do, so I'll just keep driving."

...and so I did, circling the country and finally ending up in my beloved Moab, Utah, albeit a bit later in the year than is comfortable.  While indulging my thirst for adventure along roads marked 4wd only, I caused a bit of damage to the van!  (this is why we can’t have nice things.)   My health was in rough shape at that point from too many consecutive long frozen nights, and with the van starting to feel more like a coffin than an RV I headed home to make repairs to both man and machine.  

On the business side of things, the downside of not running classes full time still has still upsides, notably letting me catch up on commissions and make some changes that I should have made years ago.  I trained an assistant who amazingly hasn’t told me to get stuffed despite my obsessive perfectionism.  Dan has been both an avid paddler and passionate skin boat builder since he first built his first kayak with me in 2008, so I decided it was finally time to bring him on board.  Working together we’ve managed to get the turnaround time on custom kayaks down to less than a month and do some really cool things with customization that I never would have had time for when I was running classes full time.  Recently we created a 25lb ultra-light F1, that is ultra-comfortable as well with the addition of a custom fitted Redfish kayak seat, (which may become the new standard for Cape Falcon Kayaks.)  We also added foot bumps for a guy with huge feet that ended up looking really cool.  I also have a couple of brand new standard F1’s for sale, check out the boats for sale page for more info!  
To explore whether I might be able to return to teaching this year I decided to start small and spent a week building a pair of F1’s with my friend Holly in the living room of her house!  We had an amazing time chatting and building and stopping for lunch in the kitchen less than 6 feet away.  It made me realize how much I miss what I do, and watching her climb into her boat on a chilly winter day with a huge smile on her face is the moment I always live for!
So does that mean I’m going to be teaching again?  The answer is yes, no, and maybe. The build with Holly was fun, but my body wasn’t thrilled.  For right now I’m going to keep things confined to small one or two person classes.  The days are short and easy, and I can bring the whole works directly to individual students, which opens up possibilities for people who might not otherwise be able to make it to a class.

While larger classes remain mostly off the menu for now, I am making one BIG exception!  For years now I’ve talked about making videos and kayak plans available, in fact I actually started this last fall only to realize after a day of filming that it makes no sense to put that kind of energy into a project and not do it with quality camera equipment, and also a well lit professional quality shop space.  In searching for a space I got talking with Sam Johnson the executive director of the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria, Oregon, and he invited me out to visit their Barbey Maritime Center which is most perfect small boat building space I’ve ever seen.  
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Visiting with Sam and their resident Pygmy Kayak builder Chuck Bollong, we hatched a plan for a single Cape Falcon Kayak class this summer that will not only provide an ideal location for filming my instructional videos but will offer a once in a lifetime opportunity for students to come and learn the entire process, start-to-finish, while we build every single model of Cape Falcon Kayak in one room.  The class will be open to people who want to build their own kayak and take it home, as well as people who just want to come and learn the process.  All students will receive copies of the completed videos as well as full sets of plans for all 5 kayaks, a 1/2 day of on the water instruction, as well as opportunities to try all 5 kayak designs!  Class runs June 29-July 8th.  For complete details visit the Calendar page. 
In the meantime, I’m just going to keep doing what I can.  Going for short hikes in the city, petting stray cats, planting out the garden, and hoping my body will get with the program and let me return to the land of the living. 

Finally, I'm not the kind of person who has an easy time reaching out for support, (to put it mildly) but I welcome prayers, advice, friendship, and material assistance from anyone with the means to offer it.  It's especially helpful to hear from other people who have been through or are going through similar difficulties.  A sincere thank you to everyone who has supported me through these difficult times,  I hope there is a brighter future ahead!

Be well,

-Brian 

20 Comments
david orme
3/29/2016 02:29:41 pm

Hi Brian,
you answered an email for me a while back with questions that I had about building a sof boat with linen. I just wanted to thank you again for taking the time to answer with all that is going on and I'm happy to report that she floats! Though the skin has gotten a bit loose since I first put her in the water, I think the next boat will be poly.
Its strange seeing that I have never met you but I was quite touched to read your messages and I truly hope for you to have a quick recovery. The work you do is so beautiful and I can imagine how frustrating it must be to be constrained from doing what you love.
Wishing you courage, faith and health.
All the best,
David.

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Ben Fuller
3/29/2016 02:45:16 pm

Brian,
Really appreciate the update on your doings. It has been too long. I did get a sniff about the big trip. Really excellent news about working with Sam. Good guy and solid citizen. Keep me posted on the class; perhaps there might be some scholarship help or something. I think we are in a new generation of cats since you were here last; you'd like them. Meanwhile I am thinking about the LPB in the Run of the Charles. Per some guidance from Greg I have a Bumfortable seat in it and I think I told you I figure out how to put i a full width footboard.
Be well my friend,
Pax vobiscum
Ben

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Danny K Perry
3/29/2016 05:20:06 pm

Reach out for help, if you don't, none might reach you. Glad to see you are on the mend. Everyday, life is just getting started for something and everything....might as well be you too :)

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Kerry
3/29/2016 05:21:30 pm

Seeing your new post made my day. I've also been wondering for a while how you were doing -- been checking the blog site periodically and hoping that the shortage of updates meant that you were busy and/or on an adventure and I'm relieved to hear that was, indeed, the case.

Though we've never met, nor are apt to, you've improved my life in various ways, including introducing me to SOF's (and my favorite boat, a Lodro-built '35 Sisimuit replica) . Your blogs also prompted me to reconstruct a vintage camper and inspired me with your wonderful photos, essays and sustainable projects. Been very touched and concerned about the health hassles -- honestly, if it was possible to "crowd source" good health I would willingly share a portion of my own if it would put you back on your feet.

Like Goethe said: “...to know someone here and there who thinks and feels with us, and though distant, is close to us in spirit - this makes the earth for us an inhabited garden”.

We need you in our world garden (as do the cats in your life.) Good to know you are still out there and prevailing.

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Dean Peterson
3/29/2016 05:49:49 pm

Great to get an update from you Brian - you are an inspiration. As we suspected my F-1 has become my goto guide boat - it is a life saver - after lugging clients boats to and from the water - my F-1 is a breeze.

GodSpeed my friend

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Ron Kotay
3/29/2016 07:04:12 pm

Hi Brian,

I always enjoy reading what you write and taking a look at your new projects.

My step-daughter has almost the same list of symptoms that you do. It has been traced to her thyroid and fibromyalgia. While doctors have identified what is causing her symptoms, they are having no success with any treatments. She is working with a functional doctor who works with holistic treatments and medical treatments.

She's been dealing with this for a long time. She will be staying at the HuasaiWasi Ecolodge in Peru for six weeks. They will be working with Indigenous/Native treatments. I let you know if she has any success with that. These folks claim to be the world's best thyroid/endocrinologist doctors. http://www.huasaiwasiecolodge.com.pe/en/

Here's another link. Hope it's helpful. http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/peru.htm

Will you be selling the plans and video? I would like to purchase copies.

Best Wishes.

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Ron Kotay
3/29/2016 07:30:01 pm

Here's another link. plantmed.org

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steve gordon link
3/29/2016 08:27:05 pm

Hi Brian, nice to see you online again and read your update. Also thanks for your responding to my mail a while ago. I`m sure there are a lot like me glad to see you active again and eagerly waiting to read about your adventures.You are an inspiring guy and I hope you manage to overcome your illness soon.
Steve

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Tim Kennedy
3/29/2016 08:45:43 pm

Great to hear of your year. Hey, we'd love to host you while in Astoria this summer. Even if we are away for a period of that time, You can stay here if you desire. I look forward to seeing you then if not sooner

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Tracy
3/29/2016 10:41:45 pm

Happy to see you are assimilating and finding what you need.
The world is a better place with you in it.
Best.
TJ

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Magnus Homestead
3/30/2016 08:49:01 am

So good to hear you again. As with so many, I have been checking in regularly. Hope I see you in Portland some time.
Brian, do you have a video camera lined up? I have access to one that might work for you. Let me know.
Sending all my love and best wishes, Magnus

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peter gengler
3/31/2016 06:48:07 am

glad to see you are back up and a bit on your feet Brain. Best of luck on all your endeavors in the coming year !!!

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Malcolm Hattaway
4/4/2016 02:28:39 am

Hi Brian
I have to say that you still seem to accomplish a whole lot despite your illness!
Great to hear that you're doing a class in June - would love to attend but my daughter would never forgive me if i missed her 21st for it.
And its a long way from New Zealand so I'm also rapt to hear you're doing instructional videos and plans - will definitely be down for that.
Cheers and all the best
Malcolm

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Bruce Stitt
4/6/2016 07:13:32 pm

I admire and respect you, and my prayers are with you.

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Fred Bahnson, MD
4/10/2016 04:54:41 pm

Brian,
I am glad to hear things are looking better for you. I continue to pray for you, and appreciate your update post. Wishing you well, Fred

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Aaron
5/16/2016 05:18:04 pm

Hey Brian, great to see an update from you and I hope your new teaching venture works out great!

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Jeff in LA
5/23/2016 07:35:56 pm

Brian,
I only recently learned about your work and your approach to living off-grid and "in-kayak." Your website and youtube tutorials are inspiring. Returning to your site today, I landed on this blog post - missed on past visits - which explains much I didn't understand.
Even though your upcoming class is full, I still hope to meet you some time. I look forward to conversations in a sawdust-scented workshop - yours, mine, others - or if need be - via email while I puzzle out an F1 from your upcoming plans and video.
Enjoy your summer and be well.
-Jeff

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Robert
7/22/2016 07:24:05 pm

Brian,
When I built the Sisimuit in 2006 asked you to sign the boat, you were hesitant but did it any way. I still regularly paddle that boat and every time I climb in I see your name and think what an amazing class and how much pleasure I got from building as well as paddling it and sharing it with others over the last 10 years.

Since your illness I also add in a small prayer of gratitude and thanks to you for sharing your passion and making the world a much brighter place.

Robert (Essex River Fall 2006)

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Thomas Duncan
7/25/2016 07:12:41 pm

Doggone good to see you up and at 'em again Capt. Schulz! Keep us updated on those kits now. Pre-bent coamings and ribs included, right? : )

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Dave Cantlin
10/5/2016 10:23:04 pm

Brian, Greetings from Florida.....I hope you remember our email conversations about health issues. I recently celebrated my 69th year (48 with diabetes). Your passion for life will keep you going! Keep those blogs coming.
Friend Dave

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    Brian Schulz

    An avid paddler, builder, and teacher, I'm passionate about sharing the strength, lightweight, and beauty of skin-on-frame boat building.

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