Wojciech Rum – Wooden Boat Show
Wojciech Rum (center in group photo) along with his friends Ivan Pancura (left) and Peter Manko (right) spend the better part of two years rebuilding the beautiful little 8 foot dinghy they displayed in the “I Built It Myself” area of the 23rd WoodenBoat Show.
Wojciech, originally from Poland, now living in Stamford, Vermont found the little boat while visiting San Pedro, California. It had been neglected for many years and was covered with fiberglass on the outside and several layers of paint inside and out. Wojciech and his friends Ivan and Peter (both originally from Slovakia now also living in Stamford) removed the fiberglass, stripped the paint, refastened mahogany planking using copper clinch nails, replaced most of the ash ribs, and replaced the badly damaged transom.
If that wasn’t enough, Wojciech dismantled the 2 horse power British seagull outboard motor that came with the dinghy and rebuild it so well that it starts on the first pull every time.
The three friends’ hard work paid off; the little dinghy won the first place trophy within its class at the WoodenBoat Show. Wojciech proudly displays his trophy and explains to fellow boat builder Richard Honan the challenges of the British Seagull outboard motor.
by Nate Carey
