The Almost Complete * Archive of Jim Michalak's Newsletters
Notice: Since this is an archive of old issues of the newsletter,
some of the links may not work, especially in the older numbers. 

For plans or correspondence contact Jim Michalak at: jim@jimsboats.com
For the current newsletter issue, go to jimsboats.com
This index will be updated once a year. Past issues not yet listed here can be found in the Past Issues Index section of the current newsletter issue.

Issues by Date

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

1997

November 21st, 1997

Birdwatcher update
IMB

December 2nd, 1997

Kilburn's boat
AF3

December 15th, 1997

Birth of the AF4
Petesboat

December 30th, 1997

The AF4
Twister

1998

January 15th, 1998

Trailering Plywood Boats
Piragua

January 30th, 1998

Cartopping
Roar

February 15th, 1998

Nicaraguan bevels
Toto

February 28th, 1998

Water ballast
Jewelbox

March 15th, 1998

Water ballast details
Jukebox2

April 1st, 1998

Hiking and Sail Forces
Frolic2

April 15th, 1998

The AF4 Prototype
Jonsboat

May 1st, 1998

Sizing Sails
Mixer

May 15th, 1998

Sizing Underwater Boards
Scram Pram

June 1st, 1998

Underwater Board Shape
Cubit

June 15th, 1998

Pivoting Leeboard Design
Viola22

July 1st, 1998

Thoughts of Sails1
Tween

July 15th, 1998

Thoughts of Sails 2
Deansbox

August 1st, 1998

Thoughts of Sails 3
Vireo

August 15th, 1998

Scram Pram Capsize Tests
Harmonica

September 1st, 1998

Sail Rig Spars
Piccup Pram

September 15th, 1998

AF3 Capsize Tests
Sneakerbox

October 1st, 1998

Reboarding After Capsize
AF2

October 15th, 1998

Lugsails From Polytarp 1
Mayfly

November 1st, 1998

Lugsails From Polytarp 2
Moby Dink

November 15th, 1998

Rigging Lugsails
QT Skiff

December 1st, 1998

Rowing 1
Roar2

December 15th, 1998

Rowing 2
Sportdory

1999

January 1st, 1999

Rowing3
Batto

January 15th, 1999

Materials and Tools
Piragua

February 1st, 1999

Lessons From WeeVee
Vole

February 15th, 1999

Nicaraguan Bevels
Toto

March 1st, 1999

Taped Seams
Larsboat

March 15th, 1999

Prismatic Coefficient
Gizmo

April 1st, 1999

Figuring Displacement
Mayfly12

April 15th, 1999

Guessing at Weight
Shanteuse

May 1st, 1999

Butt Joints in Plywood
Oracle

May 15th, 1999

Sail Area Math
HC Skiff

June 1st, 1999

Small Boat Rudders
Scram Pram

June 15th, 1999

Rigging Sharpie Sprit Sails
Frolic2

July 1st, 1999

Reefing Sharpie Sprit Sails
Jon Jr

July 15th, 1999

Polytarp Sharpie Sprit Sails
Pencilbox

August 1st, 1999

Polytarp Sharpie Sprit Sail #2
Vireo

August 15th, 1999

More Polytarp Sails
Harmonica

September 1st, 1999

More AF3's
AF3

September 15th, 1999

AF3 Capsize Tests
Piccup Pram

October 1st, 1999

Emergency Flotation
RB42

October 15th, 1999

Boat Costs
Harmonica Again

November 1st, 1999

Center of Gravity
Woobo

November 15th, 1999

Hullforms Model
Fatcat2

December 1st, 1999

Hullforms Model Results
Roar2

December 15th, 1999

AF4 Review
AF4

2000

January 1st, 2000

Plyboats Demo Review
Caprice

January 15th, 2000

Piccup Spinoffs
Piragua

February 1st, 2000

Hollow Spars
Slam Dink

February 15th, 2000

Bevels
Toto

March 1st, 2000

More Piccup Spinoffs
AF2

March 15th, 2000

Taped Seams
Larsboat

April 1st, 2000

Hull Shaping
Family Skiff

April 15th, 2000

Choosing a Design
Toon2

May 1st, 2000

Joining Plywood Sheets
Dockbox

May 15th, 2000

Messabouts
Bruceboat

June 1st, 2000

Sail Area Math
AF4Breve

June 15th, 2000

Ballanced Lug Jiffy Reef
Jonsboat

July 1st, 2000

Small Boat Rudders
Skat

July 15th, 2000

Sailing for Nonsailors 1
IMB

August 1st, 2000

Sailing for Nonsailors 2
Oracle

August 15th, 2000

Sailing for Nonsailors 3
Robote

September 1st, 2000

Leeboard Issues
Slam Dink

September 15th, 2000

Knockdown Recovery
AF3

October 1st, 2000

Motors and Rudders
Piccup Pram

October 15th, 2000

Emergency Flotation
RB42

November 1st, 2000

Hatches and Vents
Harmonica

November 15th, 2000

Electric Boats 1
QT Skiff

December 1st, 2000

Electric Boats 2
Electron

December 15th, 2000

Messin' With Motors
AF4

2001

January 1st, 2001

Outboard Tiller Extension
Campjon

January 15th, 2001

Mast Tabernacles
Musicbox3

February 1st, 2001

Rowing 2001 A
Sportdory

February 15th, 2001

Rowing 2001 B
Vamp

March 1st, 2001

Bevels
Toto

March 15th, 2001

Taped Seams
Larsboat

April 1st, 2001

Birdwatcher Hulls
Jon Jr.

April 15th, 2001

Choosing a Design
Vector

May 1st, 2001

Joining Plywood Sheets
Ozarkian

May 15th, 2001

Why Build A Boat?
Toots

June 1st, 2001

Sail Area Math
Power QT Skiff

June 15th, 2001

Wooden Construction 1
Jonsboat

July 1st, 2001

Wooden Boat Construction 2
Piragua

July 15th, 2001

Small Boat Rudders
Piragua 18

August 1st, 2001

Midwest Messabout 2001
ROGUE

August 15th, 2001

CAPRICE
Twang

September 1st, 2001

Leeboard Issues
NORMSBOAT

September 15th, 2001

Knockdown Recovery
AF3

October 1st, 2001

Scarfing Lumber
VAMP

October 15th, 2001

The Weather
RB42

November 1st, 2001

Building Piccup Pram
AF4Grande

November 15th, 2001

Building Piccup Pram - Part 2
Piccup Pram

December 1st, 2001

Motors per the Coast Guard
Sow's Ear

December 15th, 2001

Messin' With Motors 2001
AF4

2002

January 1st, 2002

Outfitting My AF4 2001
HC Skiff

January 15th, 2002

Making A Hull
Folderol2

February 1st, 2002

Making A Hull 2
Mayfly16

February 15th, 2002

Making A Hull 3
Sportdory

March 1st, 2002

Making A Hull 4
Jewelbox Junior

March 15th, 2002

Bulkhead Bevels
Toto

April 1st, 2002

I Boil Wood
Picara

April 15th, 2002

Taped Seams
Larsboat

May 1st, 2002

Joining Plywood Sheets
IMB

May 15th, 2002

Building HC Skiff
Mayfly14

June 1st, 2002

Sail Area Math
Campjon

June 15th, 2002

Sail Shaping
Jonsboat

July 1st, 2002

Sail Shaping 2
Piragua

July 15th, 2002

Midwest Messabout
Piragua18

August 1st, 2002

Piccup Pram Accessories
Rogue

August 15th, 2002

Making Oars
Twang

September 1st, 2002

Boat Camping 1
Shanteuse

September 15th, 2002

Boat Camping 2
Fatcat2

October 1st, 2002

Knockdown Recovery
AF3

October 15th, 2002

Knockdown Recovery 2
Electron

November 1st, 2002

Knockdown Recovery 3
IMB

November 15th, 2002

Jewelbox Jr Knockdown
Jewelbox

December 1st, 2002

Rigging A Lugsail
Piccup Pram

December 15th, 2002

Messing With Motors 2002
AF4

2003

January 1st, 2003

Sail Rig Trim 1
Toon2

January 15th, 2003

Sail Rig Trim 2
Philsboat

February 1st, 2003

Navigator Cabins
Jukebox3

February 15th, 2003

Guessing At Weight
Dorado

March 1st, 2003

Figuring Displacement
Seal Cove Skiff

March 15th, 2003

Propellor Pitch
Veep14

April 1st, 2003

Bulkhead Bevels
Toto

April 15th, 2003

Rowboat Setup
Oracle

May 1st, 2003

Propellor Slip
Twang

May 15th, 2003

Taped Seams
Larsboat

June 1st, 2003

Old Outboard Fuel Consumption
Campjon

June 15th, 2003

Sail Area Math
Ladybug

July 1st, 2003

2003 Rend Lake Messabout
Piragua18

July 15th, 2003

Horse Talk
Jonsboat

August 1st, 2003

Real Life Sail Area Math
Blobster

August 15th, 2003

Taped Seams
Seal Cove Skiff

September 1st, 2003

Measuring Prop Thrust
Mayfly12

September 15th, 2003

Rot Repair?
Polepunt

October 1st, 2003

Knockdown Recovery
AF3

October 15th, 2003

Birdwatcher Lugsail
Batto

November 1st, 2003

Making Oars
LHF17

November 15th, 2003

Glassing Plywood
Caprice

December 1st, 2003

IMB Capsize Test
IMB

December 15th, 2003

Messing With Motors 2003
AF4

2004

January 1st, 2004

Bayard Cook's AF4
AF4Grande

January 15th, 2004

Making Sink Weights
Shanteuse

February 1st, 2004

Lugsail Rigging
Mikesboat

February 15th, 2004

Added Sailrigs
Jukebox2

March 1st, 2004

Joining Plywood Sheets
Alansboat

March 15th, 2004

Figuring Sail Area 1
Piccup Pram

April 1st, 2004

Figuring Sail Area 2
Toto

April 15th, 2004

Figuring Sail Area 3
Oracle

May 1st, 2004

Bulkhead Bevels
River Runner

May 15th, 2004

Rowboat Setup
Vireo14

June 1st, 2004

Power Not
Campjon

June 15th, 2004

Sail Area Math
Cormorant

July 1st, 2004

Rend Lake 2004
Rogue

July 15th, 2004

Leeboard Issues
Ladybug

August 1st, 2004

Hull Shapes
Jonsboat

August 15th, 2004

Taped Seams
Skat

September 1st, 2004

Hull Shaping 2
Mixer

September 15th, 2004

Old Outboard Fuel Consumption
Vireo14

October 1st, 2004

The Size Of Boats
Larsboat

October 15th, 2004

Knockdown Recovery
Imresboat

November 1st, 2004

Knockdown Recovery 2
AF3

November 15th, 2004

Drawing Tools
Caprice

December 1st, 2004

Scarf Joints 1
Dorado

December 15th, 2004

Scarf Joints 2
AF4

2005

January 1st, 2005

IMB Capsize Test
IMB

January 15th, 2005

Drawing Boats 2
Shanteuse

February 1st, 2005

Rigging A Lugsail
Blobster

February 15th, 2005

Drawing Boats 3
Toon2

Mars 1, 2005

Figuring Displacement
Alansboat

Mars 15, 2005

Drawing Boats 4
Piccup Pram

April 1st, 2005

Joining Plywood Sheets
Toto

April 15th, 2005

Designing Boats 5
River Runner

May 1st, 2005

Bulkhead Bevels
Sow's Ear

May 15th, 2005

Drawing Boats 6
Picara

June 1st, 2005

Rowboat Setup
Sowsear

June 15th, 2005

Designing Boats 7
Roar2

July 1st, 2005

Rend Lake 2005
Rogue

July 15th, 2005

Sail Area Math
Mayfly16

August 1st, 2005

Designing Boats 8
Polepunt

August 15th, 2005

Taped Seams
Cormorant

September 1st, 2005

Designing Boats 9
AF4Grande

September 15th, 2005

Russellville Messabout
Veep14

October 1st, 2005

The Size Of Boats
Larsboat

October 15th, 2005

Designing Boats 10
Imresboat

November 1st, 2005

Knockdown Recovery
AF3

November 15th, 2005

Knockdown Recovery 2
Caprice

December 1st, 2005

Ballast Calculations 1
Dorado

December 15th, 2005

Ballast Calculations 2
Robbsboat

2006

January 1st, 2006

Ballast Calculations 3
AF4

January 15th, 2006

IMB Capsize Test
IMB

February 1st, 2006

Raider Design #1
Blobster

February 15th, 2006

Rigging A Lugsail
Toon2

March 1st, 2006

Raider Design 2
Shanteuse

March 15th, 2006

Raider Design 3
Piccup Pram

April 1st, 2006

EC 2006
Frolic2

April 15th, 2006

Joining Plywood Sheets
Toto

May 1st, 2006

Raider Design 4
Dani Jay

May 15th, 2006

Bulkhead Bevels
Picara

June 1st, 2006

Headroom
Sowsear

June 15th, 2006

Rowboat Setup
Vector

July 1st, 2006

Rend Lake 2006
Rogue

July 15th, 2006

San Juan River Trip
River Runner

August 1st, 2006

Sail Area Math
Polepunt

August 15th, 2006

Panel Stiffness 1
Cormorant

September 1st, 2006

Taped Seams
Rogue

September 15th, 2006

Panel Stiffness 2
Mayfly14

October 1st, 2006

Panel Stiffness 3
Larsboat

October 15th, 2006

Panel Stiffness 4
Imresboat

November 1st, 2006

Knockdown Recovery
Toon19

November 15th, 2006

Knockdown Recovery 2
Caprice

December 1st, 2006

Figuring Power
Dorado

December 15th, 2006

Figuring Power 2
Robbsboat

2007

January 1st, 2007

Measuring Prop Thrust
LFH17

January 15th, 2007

Figuring Power 3
AF4

February 1st, 2007

IMB Capsize Test
IMB

February 15th, 2007

Figuring Power 4
Raider

March 1st, 2007

Rigging A Lugsail
Blobster

March 15th, 2007

Figuring Power 5
Mayfly12

April 1st, 2007

Everglades Challenge 2007
Frolic2

April 15th, 2007

Rowing Forces
Sportdory

May 1st, 2007

Rowing Gear
Robbsboat

May 15th, 2007

Rowing Power 2
Roar2

June 1st, 2007

Bulkhead Bevels
Toto

June 15th, 2007

Rend Lake 2007
Vector

July 1st, 2007

Rowboat Setup
Philsboat

July 15th, 2007

Shaping Shanteuse
Shanteuse

August 1st, 2007

Sail Area Math
Polepunt

August 15th, 2007

Shanteuse Shaping 2
Cormorant

September 1st, 2007

Taped Seams
Rogue

September 15th, 2007

Relaminating Toto
Mayfly14

October 1st, 2007

Hull Wind Drag
Larsboat

October 15th, 2007

Sizing Underwater Boards
Imresboat

November 1st, 2007

Underwater Board Shape
Harmonica

November 15th, 2007

My AF4 Changes
Caprice

December 1st, 2007

Knockdown Recovery
Dockbox

December 15th, 2007

Knockdown Recovery 2
Robbsboat

2008

January 1st, 2008

The Future, 2008
Caroline

January 15th, 2008

Jewelbox Jr Knockdown
Jewelbox Junior

February 1st, 2008

Powering Jon20
Jon20

February 15th, 2008

IMB Capsize Test
IMB

March 1st, 2008

Philsboat Capsize
Blobster

March 15th, 2008

Rigging A Lugsail
Toon2

April 1st, 2008

Flipper Powered Roar2
Frolic2

April 15th, 2008

Rigging Sharpie Sprit Sails
Sportdory

May 1st, 2008

New AF4 Bottom 1
Robbsboat

May 15th, 2008

Rowing Gear
Roar2

June 1st, 2008

AF4 Bottom 2
Ozarkian

June 15th, 2008

Rend Lake 2008
Vector

July 1st, 2008

Rowboat Setup
Mikesboat

July 15th, 2008

AF4 Bottom 3
Wooboto

August 1st, 2008

Sail Area Math
Polepunt

August 15th, 2008

Materials And Tools
Cormorant

September 1st, 2008

Taped Seams
Rogue

September 15th, 2008

Rainwater Damage
Mayfly14

October 1st, 2008

Bulkhead Bevels
Larsboat

October 15th, 2008

Transom Height
Jonsboat

November 1st, 2008

Lugsails From Polytarp 1
Piccup Pram

November 15th, 2008

Lugsails From Polytarp 2
Caprice

December 1st, 2008

Weight Problems
Dockbox

December 15th, 2008

Knockdown Recovery
Raider

2009

January 1st, 2009

Knockdown Recovery 2
Caroline

January 15th, 2009

Aspect Ratio
Jewelbox Junior

February 1st, 2009

Aspect Ratio 2
Mayfly16

February 15th, 2009

IMB Capsize Test
IMB

March 1st, 2009

Mizzen Thoughts
Blobster

March 15th, 2009

Rigging A Lugsail
Imresboat

April 1st, 2009

Laguna
Frolic2

April 15th, 2009

Rigging Sharpie Sprit Sails
Sportdory

May 1st, 2009

Small Boat Rudders
Robbsboat

May 15th, 2009

Rowing Gear
Roar2

June 1st, 2009

Bimini Boot
Ozarkian

June 15th, 2009

Remembering Phil Bolger
Vector

July 1st, 2009

Rend Lake 2009
Fatcat2

July 15th, 2009

Rowboat Setup
Mikesboat

August 1st, 2009

Sail Area Math
Family Skiff

August 15th, 2009

Beach Designs
Cormorant

September 1st, 2009

Taped Seams
Trilars

September 15th, 2009

Birdwatcher Cabins
Philsboat

October 1st, 2009

Bulkhead Bevels
Larsboat

October 15th, 2009

Transom Height
Jonsboat

November 1st, 2009

Ballast Again
Piccup Pram

November 15th, 2009

Ballast Again 2
Caprice

December 1st, 2009

Weight Problems
AF4Casa

December 15th, 2009

Ballast Again 3
Raider

2010

January 1st, 2010

Knockdown Recovery
RioGrande

January 15th, 2010

Knockdown Recovery 2
Caroline

February 1st, 2010

Emergency Flotation
Mayfly16

February 15th, 2010

IMB Capsize Test
IMB

March 1st, 2010

Wood Vs Aluminum Spars
Blobster

March 15th, 2010

Rigging A Lugsail
Laguna

April 1st, 2010

Beefing A Mast
Frolic2

April 15th, 2010

Rigging Sharpie Sprit Sails
Sportdory

May 1st, 2010

Small Boat Rudders
Blobster

May 15th, 2010

New AF4 Bottom 1
Catbox

June 1st, 2010

AF4 Bottom 2
Ozarkian

June 15th, 2010

Rend Lake 2010
Vector

July 1st, 2010

AF4 Bottom 3
Wooboto

July 15th, 2010

2010 Texas200a
Mikesboat

August 1st, 2010

2010 Texas200b
Family Skiff

August 15th, 2010

2010 Texas200c
Cormorant

September 1st, 2010

2010 Texas200d
Trilars

September 15th, 2010

2010 Texas200e
Philsboat

October 1st, 2010

2010 Texas200f
Larsboat

October 15th, 2010

Sail Area Math
Jonsboat

November 1st, 2010

Sail Oklahoma a
Piccup Pram

November 15th, 2010

Sail Oklahoma b
Caprice

December 1st, 2010

Taped Seams
Trilars

December 15th, 2010

Bulkhead Bevels
Raider

2011

January 1st, 2011

Mast Tabernacles
OliveOyl

January 15th, 2011

Knockdown Recovery
DarcyBryn

February 1st, 2011

Knockdown Recovery 2
Caroline

February 15th, 2011

Windsurfer Sail Mod
IMB

March 1st, 2011

Rowboat Setup
Paddleplank

March 15th, 2011

Rigging A Lugsail
Hapscut

April 1st, 2011

Figuring Displacement
Marksbark

April 15th, 2011

Rigging Sharpie Sprit Sails
Toon2

May 1st, 2011

Small Boat Rudders
Blobster

May 15th, 2011

Sail Sizing
Mayfly16

June 1st, 2011

Sail Sizing2
Ladybug

June 15th, 2011

Rend Lake 2011
Toto

July 1st, 2011

Trailering
Wooboto

July 15th, 2011

New Bimini
Mikesboat

August 1st, 2011

Cartopping
Family Skiff

August 15th, 2011

Butt Joints In Plywood
Cormorant

September 1st, 2011

Scarf Joints In Lumber
Trilars

September 15th, 2011

Balanced Lug Jiffy Reef
Philsboat

October 1st, 2011

Boat Costs
Larsboat

October 15th, 2011

Sail Area Math
Jonsboat

November 1st, 2011

Sail OK 2011 a
Piccup Pram

November 15th, 2011

Sail OK 2011 b
Caprice

December 1st, 2011

Taped Seams
Trilars

December 15th, 2011

Bulkhead Bevels
Sportdory

2012

January 1st, 2012

H14 Sail Rig
OliveOyl

January 15th, 2012

Knockdown Recovery
DarcyBryn

February 1st, 2012

Knockdown Recovery 2
Caroline

February 15th, 2012

Sizing Underwater Boards
IMB

March 1st, 2012

Underwater Board Shape
Paddleplank

March 15th, 2012

Underwater Board Shape 2
Frolic2

April 1st, 2012

Underwater Board Shape 3
Marksbark

April 15th, 2012

Rowboat Setup
Toon2

May 1st, 2012

Electric Boats 1
Blobster

May 15th, 2012

Electric Boats 2
Electron

June 1st, 2012

Messin' With Motors
AF4

June 15th, 2012

Rend Lake 2012
Toto

July 1st, 2012

Measuring Prop Thrust
Brucesboat

July 15th, 2012

Making A Hull 1
Mikesboat

August 1st, 2012

Making A Hull 2
Paulsboat

August 15th, 2012

Olympic Thoughts
Cormorant

September 1st, 2012

Making A Hull 3
Hapscut

September 15th, 2012

Making A Hull 4
Philsboat

October 1st, 2012

Figuring Sail Area 1
Larsboat

October 15th, 2012

Sail OK 2012
Jonsboat

November 1st, 2012

Capsize Lessons
Piccup Pram

November 15th, 2012

Figuring Sail Area 2
Caprice

December 1st, 2012

Figuring Sail Area 3
Ladybug

December 15th, 2012

HULL SHAPING
Sportdory

2013

January 1st, 2013

Bulkhead Bevels
OliveOyl

January 15th, 2013

Drawing Tools
HC Skiff

February 1st, 2013

Drawing Boats 2
Shanteuse

February 15th, 2013

Drawing Boats 3
IMB

March 1st, 2013

Figuring Displacement
Paddleplank

March 15th, 2013

Drawing Boats 4
Frolic2

April 1st, 2013

Drawing Boats 5
River Runner

April 15th, 2013

Drawing Boats 6
Picara

May 1st, 2013

Two Letters
Blobster

May 15th, 2013

Drawing Boats 7
Roar2

June 1st, 2013

Drawing Boats 8
Polepunt

June 15th, 2013

Rend Lake 2013
Toto

July 1st, 2013

Drawing Boats 9
AF4Grande

July 15th, 2013

Taped Seams
Mikesboat

August 1st, 2013

Butt Joints In Plywood
Paulsboat

August 15th, 2013

Making Sink Weights
Cormorant

September 1st, 2013

Rigging A Lugsail
Hapscut

September 15th, 2013

Rigging Sharpie Sprit Sails
Philsboat

October 1st, 2013

Modifying Boats 1
Larsboat

October 15th, 2013

Modifying Boats 2
Jonsboat

November 1st, 2013

Modifying Boats 3
Piccup Pram

November 15th, 2013

Sail Area Math
Caprice

December 1st, 2013

Stretched Stability
Ladybug

December 15th, 2013

Trailering Plywood Boats
Sportdory

2014 ...not there yet!

* List of Known Problems

- What's missing:
  • Issue: December 15th, 1997
  A portion of text is missing due to an interrupted transfer.
- Links to other Websites:
  • Whenever possible, these have been updated. For many websites that are gone, a link to a Web archive has been inserted with the mention: (archived copy).
- Mix-up of pictures:
  • Over the years, a few different pictures ended up with the same filename, resulting sometimes in the wrong picture appearing in the wrong issue. I have spotted and corrected a few such cases, but a complete scrutiny of the whole Archive might reveal more.
If you find any broken link in this page, please send me an e-mail at: gaetan.jette@sympatico.ca

Gaétan Jetté, archive maintainer