My Work - A Visual Portfolio Frank Berinstein / 2011
About this book The following pages display many samples of my work in marine and general carpentry produced in the decade, 2000 - 2010. Many thanks to two great photographers who have contributed many of the photos shown in the book, they are: Martin Berinstein - www.berinstein.com Laura Berg - www.arwenberg.com
PREFACE I met Frank in the spring of 1993. We were both enthusiastic cyclists. We started meeting for cycling outings, often organized by Frank to include groups of friends or kids from the co-op where he lived. We'd ride the lake shore in Toronto or drive out to the Niagara peninsula and cycle through the orchards. On one memorable ride that we took together, he introduced me to the co-op sailing clubs down by Cherry Beach. I'd never known they were there. Soon he was a member of one. Cycling soon gave way to sailing, a passion of Frank's dating back to his childhood in Argentina, where he spent summers at a family beach house on the coast. In photos it looks more like a shack, but Frank has fond memories, which he'll share given half a chance, of fishing in the tide and playing in the dunes. Frank loves water in all its forms, whether hammering surf, gentle waves or fast-flowing rivers. His love of being on the water led to an interest in building and designing watercraft from wood. This interest led to his agreeing to move from Toronto to the Gatineau Hills in West Quebec, where we were fortunate enough to purchase and move onto twenty-five acres of rocks and trees with a half-finished house and a large, wood heated workshop. The house never got finished, but lots of boats got built in the workshop, along with commissioned pieces of furniture. The shop was a busy place, with people coming and going to consult or work on boats, dropping in for a cold one out of the workshop fridge, or just hunkering down on a chunk of wood by the woodstove on cold winter nights, chatting about boats and wood and other important things. Frank's professional work in the construction industry gives him a profound understanding of construction materials and methods, and he has expanded his expertise by concentrating on wood and ways of working it, coaxing it into watercraft or elegant tables, always imagining outside the box. He also proved to be an effective teacher, helping numerous clients build their own boats in his shop under his tutelage. After it became too much to keep up the property, we relocated to smaller quarters, and Frank downsized his wood working capacity to fit into a much smaller shop. The purchase of a second hand lathe allowed him to take up a new, wood-based practice, that of turning wood into beautiful bowls and objets. His experimentation with decoration and tinting has produced finished pieces that look like they are shaped out of porcelain. I suspect they also float. Helen Simson - Wakefield Quebec - 2011
GATINEAU HILLS BOATWORKS Through my company, Gatineau Hills Boatworks, a large part of the work during the last 10 years was in marine carpentry. Presented in this book are boats and restoration projects. It was difficult to reduce the number of photos, choosing only those most representative. Besides designing and building boats, other works were contracted. The advantage of having a movable shop transformed the space for general carpentry including: furniture, construction and renovation, kitchen design, cabinet making and relief carving. Examples are found toward the end of this book as well as some 3D drafting. I would like to acknowledge two important people during this period: Eric McNicholl, who is a very talented Naval Architect and a very good friend. Featured are samples of his boat designs. Without Helen Simson, my partner in life, none of this work would have been possible. I am grateful to both of them. My appreciation to the people who commissioned the building of their boats to Gatineau Hills Boatworks at a time when I was still trying to establish a name in the business. To those who passed through my workshop as friends or participated in my boatbuilding seminars, I thank you. Frank Berinstein - Wakefield - Quebec - 2011
Freedom 17’ - A fast responsive tripping canoe that is also easy to build. Design: Steve Killing
LOA 17’ / Max Beam 33” / Height 13.25” / Weight 47 lb. / Payload 450 lb.
Freedom 17’ / Rob Roy
Rob Roy - Double blade paddle - LOA: 12’10” Beam: 27” Weight: 35 lb. height 17” Design: Ted Moores
High Volume Expedition Kayak - LOA 17’- Beam: 21” - Weight: 36lb. - Payload 165lb. - Design J. Kulczycki
GHK 16’ - Design: Eric McNicholl - www.veloxdesign.webs.com
GHK16’ The best of both worlds: cedar strip hull and Okume plywood deck. At only 42 lb. one of our best high volume expedition kayaks, with excellent speed and tracking capabilities. Drawings, kit or finish boat available LOA 16’ Beam 23” Height 13” Payload 350 lb. P. Coefficient .54 Design: Eric McNicholl, www.veloxdesign.webs.com
GHK15 - Design: Eric McNicholl - www.veloxdesign.webs.com
The first time I encountered a kayak was the summer of 1983. I was 18 years old working in a summer camp, instructing children how to maneuver one and have fun. The man who taught me was nicknamed (guess?) Kayak. Showing me the basics in less than a couple of hours, he turned me into an avid fan for that type of watercraft. While visiting a neighbor in the late spring of 2007, I met Frank and learned he was building boats just three kilometers from my place. We talked about an outing together so I could try a few models and, after a crash course, I jumped at every occasion to rent a kayak and paddle in my spare time or on a trip abroad. It was during my sabbatical year, in 2008, that I built my boat with Frank and went to Isles-de-laMadeleine to christen it in the sea. In 2010, Frank offered me a beautiful wood turned bowl. Each handcrafted piece is a work of art, a work of heart. Contributing to one’s dream is most rewarding. I will be happy and thrilled to witness the publication of Frank’s book in 2013. Annick Landry La Peche, Quebec 2010
Constructiion stages of the EHK16
GHK16’ - Design: Eric McNicholl - www.veloxdesign.webs.com
HIGH VOLUME TANDEM Design: Steve Killing LOA Max Beam Height Payload Weight
21’8” 28.5” 16” 510 lb. 60 lb.
This boat has a comfortable feel to it. The length gives an incredibly calm unhurried impression even when the boat is moving at top speed. The beam of 28.5" provides room for cargo and gives a stability that makes kayaking in any weather comfortable. Moderate flare above the waterline will increase the stability as the boat heels. Two water tight compartments with access only by deck hatches provide enough flotation to keep the boat afloat in the event of a capsize.
We have known Frank for over 20 ears and I cannot think of a time when he was not building or creating something . Whether renovating a home, turning a piece of discarded wood into an object of beauty , or building a boat he is always generous with his time and happy to share his expertise with anyone interested in learning . Over the years there have been several Frank additions to our home- a craft framed photo montage, a funky one of a kind kitchen and bathroom, a much envied garden fence (which led to another landscaping assignment in our neighbor’s back-yard) and finally, for me the piece de resistance, an amazing cedar stripped double sea kayak. For someone, mildly water phobic with a canoe crazy partner, this allows me to feel totally stable and safe (vs our somewhat wobbly canoe). It is also so beautiful to look at, I have the perpetual sense of padding around in a work of art. Thank you Frank. Pauline and Scott , Toronto March 23, 2012
MILL CREEK LOA: 16’ 5”- Beam: 33” - Weight 58lb. - Payload 450lb. - Design: J. Kulczycki
SAILING DINGHY’S QUETZAL HIKING Particulars LOA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!13’5” LWL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!! 13’2” Beam!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!! 5’ Hull weight!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!115 lb. Crew weight!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!150 - 225 lb. Single handed Sail Area!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!87Sq/F Initially conceived as a cedar strip concept, the plan was slightly modified to accommodate a stitch & glue approach, since we thought it would be better suited for the do it yourself concept. The result looks just as classy but are much faster to build with only a bit of added overall weight. About 200-250 man-hours is needed to complete the project. www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLBg82q4kqU
QUETZAL TRAPEZE
LOA: Beam: Weight: Main: Spinnaker: Master: Bowsprit: Design:
13’ 6” 5’ 1” 115 lb. 127 Sq/Ft 161 Sq/Ft Proctor D Aluminum tubing Eric McNicholl www.veloxdesign.webs.com
Quetzal Trapeze in flight
Falco I - Design Eric McNicholl - Study Scale Model
Falco II - LOA: 14’1” - Beam: 4’7” - Weight: 90lb. - Main: 127 Sq/Ft - Spinnaker: 161 Sq/Ft - Design: Eric McNicholl
Nano 2.6 - LOA: 12’10” - Beam: 27” Weight: 60lb. - Main: 47 Sq/Ft - Bamboo Rig In the spirit of the original optimist pram, the Nano 2.6 is built primarily with off the shelf ordinary hardware store material. Because the kids will quickly outgrow it, an affordably built boat makes sense. The construction process is both simple and innovative (a sandwich of thin plywood spaced 2 inches apart) Thus producing a very lightweight boat. Besides better performance we feel that a light boat gets less abused because it is easier to carry and move around. Since it requires very little hardware the balance lug rig is very economical, and with the square top version improves it already proven efficiency. All spars are made of bamboo poles. The kit comes with the sail and foils. All you need to bring is a few tools, some paint of your choice and a weather shelter.
Designer Eric McNicholl
Restoration Work on a Chesapeake Bay Cat Boat - Circa 1950
FURNITURE - CABINETS - KITCHEN RENOVATIONS - RELIEF CARVING
Solid Mahogany Shaker Bookcase - 10’ x 7’ from reclaimed wood
Entertainment Center - Solid Pine - Raised Panels - Entry Hall Organizer
Bank of Drawers - Entertainment Center
Kitchen Renovation in solid maple
Kitchen Renovation Work
Main Entrance Door, Relief Carving - 36” x 80” x 3.75” - White Cedar
Bathroom Vanity, raised panels, pine
Bicycle store Renovation
Lanscape Renovation
Design and Drafting Software used: ACAD and Google Sketch Up
Woodturning My Latest endeavour
Photos 1 & 2 Segmented Cherry Wood - 3 & 4 Manitoba Maple (Box Elder)
Photos 1 to 4: segmented butternut wood
Photos 1 & 2: spalted beech wood - Photos 3 &4 Cherry wood
Photos 1 & 2: Beech Wood - 3 & 4: Manitoba Maple Base, Spanish Cedar Platter
Segmented Cherry Wood Bowl, Spalted Maple Wood with Cherry Wood Finial Lead
Beech Wood Bowls
Photos 1 & 2 Segmented Canary Wood Bowl - Photos 3 & 4 Cherry Wood Bowls
Photos 1 & 2: Red Elm Wood - 3 & 4: Birch Wood Bowl - 5 & 6 Cherry Wood Bowl - 7 & 8 Birch Wood Bowl
Photos 2 & 3: Cherry Hollow - Photos 3 & 4: Box Elder Plater
Vertical Photos 1 & 2: Birch Wood Bowl - Photos 3 & 4: Beech Wood Bow, Spalted Red Elm D: 14” H: 7”l
Photos 1 & 2: Spalted Sugar Maple D:14” H: 6”
Photos 1 to 3: Spalted Sugar Maple H: 13.5” D: 6.5”
Photos 1 to 3: Cherry Wood H:13” D: 6”
Photos 1 to 3: Cherry Wood Bowl D: 13.5” H: 5.5”
Photos 1 to 3: Cherry Woos Bowl D: 14” H: 6”
Photos 1 to 3: Cherry Wood Bowl D: 13” H: 5.5”
Photos 1 to 3: Silver Maple Wood Plater D: 12.5” H:3”
Photos 1 to 3: Silver Maple Wood Plater D:12.5” H: 1.5”
Photos 1 to 3: Figured Box Elder Bowl D:5” H: 4.5” Photos 2 and 4 :Spalted maple D: 4.5” H: 12”
Photos 1 and 2: Walnut Wood Bowl D: 6” H: 4.5” Photos 3 and 4 Catalpa Wood Bowl D: 10” H: 4”
Photos 1 to 2: Beech Wood Bowl D: 6” H: 4.5” Photos 3 and 4 Textured Spalted Maple D: 8.5” H: 6.5”
Photos 1, 2, 3 and 4 ornated (wood-burning and yellow dye) Cherry wood
Smaller bowls and candle holders in beech, oak, maple and birch
Hollow form - Red Oak 7.5” x 4”
Hollow form - Red Oak 6.5” x 5”
Hollow form - Spalted Maple 5� x 3.5�
Photos 1 & 2: Bottle stoppers, Photos 3 & 5 Spalted Maple Bowl D: 12� H: 5.5�
Kayak Group Lunch Trio