Joe,
I know you hear this all the time but I just have to say it. Your boats are just astounding! I'm looking at Dale's pictures and it just make me weak in the knees. I have
this vision of these three boats slipping out of heaven's own woodshop. I know the perspiration behind them makes this an illusion of fancy not reality.

I am loth to copy the design patterns of others, as I think its sort of like painting by numbers. However, I have to tell you, if I ever break down and decided to copy
a master, your Return would be the one that bumped me across the line. I know the results wouldn't be the same, as your artisan mastery just breaths off the surface
of these creatures.

I am not one to see a boat more as art then as a functional vehicle, (they are both) but if I ever hung one on the wall of a museum (and I would never desecrate one
in that way) However, if the artistry of this hobby were ever to just once be put up purely for artistic appreciation it would have to be these three boats.

If the definition of art is a physical medium being worked to elicit a complex and deep emotion. Then you sir are more then a craftsman. Your boats are works of art.
And you are an artist.

Right now, I am torn between thinking I should go down to my wood shop and burn all my forms, and flog my tools or instead be inspired to what is earthly
possible. For now, I guess I'll do neither... I am too stunned and breathless.

!RUSS

Dale thanks for sharing these pictures with us