This brief tribute to Dave begins with a personal letter, one written to the Stevenson's and posted on their site. The letter, of course, speaks for itself and gives a good glimpse into Dave's warm personality, his wit, and his love for the boat he had built.
Following
the letter are some brief comments by Dr. Scott Widmier, President of
BYYB.
Two other BYYB members, Ed Jones and Tony Day, also share some thoughts
and memories about Dave.
Dave's Letter
Just wanted to let you know that I finally was able to complete work on our Vacationer, which wound up taking a bit over two years, what with me working in Houston a couple of weeks out of every month, and winter weather when I couldn't do anything on the boat. It also took a month to get through the process of registering the boat. Kentucky has come up with some nice new red tape regs that really make registeriing a homemade fun. (Buy one from a dealer, and you put it in the water the same day).
Anyhow, with a limited amount of fanfare, we slipped the boat into the
water at the Green River Lake near Campellsville, Ky this past Friday,
with the crew being myself, my wife, Barbara, our daughter Lauren, 15,
and a boy friend of hers. The lake isn't the biggest around, but there
are several areas where you can make 2-3 miles on a leg, and one where
you can make about 7 miles, if the wind was right. We motored out a mile
or so on our Tohatsu 4 stroke, shipped the motor, raised sails, and off
we went.
I really commend you on the design. It sails like a pussy cat, smooth,
responsive to the helm, and quick coming about. It also moves with just
the lightest air, which really pleased us, as this area is noted for doldrums
during the hot, summer months. Following your guide, when the air was
light, we sat on the leeward, giving it a heel, and off it would go.
Over the two days we experienced winds of little or nothing,
to squall gusts up to about 20 knots, which the boat handled nicely. Had
the experience of being caught in one of our midwest thunderstorms, which
dumped gallons into the cockpit, and on the helmsman while his wife and
daughter and friend watched through the slats in the hatches, comfortable
and dry.
Due to a lack of space at the marina, I also got to spend the night on
board anchored on the lake, sleeping on the pfd cushons, since my wife
hasn't finished the covers for the mattresses on the bunks yet. I am debatijng
a couple of hooks, one in the front of the cabin, and the other at the
rear bulkhead so I could sling a hammock inside. It would be more comfortable
than those pfd cushions.
I opted to put in a two burner coleman propane stove, elimanate the built-in
cooler, and just put our big igloo on the cabin floor. It 
sure
was nice to perk a fresh pot of coffee on board in the morning, raise
sail, and play on the lake alone for a couple of hours before picking
everyone else up at the dock.
Received many compliments on the boat. Had several power boats come up
close, stop engines, and just want to find out about the boat, its design,
and "where do you buy one". One of these was a couple of guys
in a speedboat with a chromed 427 chev who I would have never thought
would be interested in a "blow boat".
Whenever we were tied up at the dock at the marina (loaded with big dollar
houseboats, of course), the Idyler was the center of attention, always
with people coming up to look at her, asking questions, and wanting to
check her out. The biggest surprise to people was the fact that it is
not a deep keeled or center-boarded boat.
All
in all, it was a great weekend, with very few kinks to work out. Your
design is excellent, the handling is great, and I am proud to tie Idyler
up alongside any yacht around.
Thank you. We look forward to many wonderful days aboard the Idyler, and
I know my now-college age son, who had to miss this trip, is looking forward
to getting out on it with his friends as well.
Sincerely, gratefully yours
Dave Ruedel
Louisville, Ky
Scott Widmier
This article is long overdue! Barnacle Jim asked me to write an article
about Dave Reudel over a month ago and it seems like every time I sit
down to write something I experience writers block and head off to some
other task. Others I have asked to help me have faced some of the same
difficulties. Why is this? Why is it so hard to write an article about
a wonderful boat builder and sailor that everyone liked?
As I once again find myself in front of the computer with the goal of
finishing this long overdue article I find myself reflecting on the difficulty
I have faced. I realize that my difficulties have two sources. First,
I have only met Dave Reudel once. Second, in my brief time with Dave and
subsequent
time spent talking to members of the southwest fleet I realized that he
was someone worth getting to know. I feel like I watched previews for
a movie I really want to see but never will.
My preview came at the 2004 BYYB Mega Mess in Point Lookout, Maryland.
Point Lookout is a former Yankee civil war prisoner camp and I found out
that prisoner camps are never set up in paradise. My first day there was
spent spreading salve on my kids too-numerous to be counted mosquito bites
and a few attempts at sailing with too little wind. I met Dave sitting
on his well-loved Vacationer Idyler at the dock. That evening, storms
rolled in with high wind and rain that ended up swamping several folks’
campsites and the wind and rain continued throughout the next day. I walked
with Dave in his too-short poncho down the long dock to check on how our
boats were handling the wind. I walked down to his end of the dock and
talked to him at his Vacationer. I was complaining bitterly about our
misfortune with the weather. He listened while contemplatively puffing
on his pipe but I got the feel that he was happy just being around his
boat, the water, and other builders. With a few quiet words, I can’t
remember what they were now, he helped me see the joy even in those windy
and rainy days. The joy he shared was the water, a homebuilt boat, and
friends to share it with.
Dave, as you head out on your next great adventure I wish you a beautiful
sea, a wonderful vessel built with care and loving, and wonderful friends
to help you on your way.
Ed Jones
The only time I ever saw Dave was at the October Messabout of 2004 at
Lake Lanier, Ga. Dave was a quiet spoken man that when he had something
to say people would listen. He was an accomplished boat builder that built
a very impressive Vacationer that both he and his wife were very proud
of and enjoyed sailing. He had a very friendly and warm personally that
people responded to and when he called you a friend, you could depend
on him to the max. Dave will be missed by all.
Tony Day
What can I say about a person I only met twice? After reading Dave’s
many posts on the BYYB bulletin board, I finally met him in Maryland at
the Megga Messabout. Sometimes one’s personality is hidden in their
writings, but most of the time the reader can figure out what a person
is
like by reading such posts, and Dave was one of those people. Tall, quiet
(for the most part), warm and friendly, he was constantly in praise of
other’s skills, yet downplayed the compliments he received for his
own work. Dave’s vacationer, Idyler, was an inspiration to us all,
not because it was built to exacting standards, but because it was a model
for everyone to see how a boat should be built and used. He and you lovely
wife aparently went everywhere and had many, many experiences together
with his creation, which is what all of us want when we choose to build
our own.
Dave went to Lake Lanier, GA last fall for another weekend weather event.
It was cold and the wind blew, but he and Barb were there, sailing when
they could and staying in their floating motel. Dave was all kind words
and positive thinking even though he had to be suffering from the health
problems that took him from us. What a guy, an inspiration to us all,
a person who will be missed and difficult to replace. Our friend, Dave
Ruedel.
Back Yard Yacht Builders
A non-commercial association of amateur boat-builder enthusiasts.
All our wooden boats are Stevenson designs.