Excuses for taking so long to build

[Georgeandpat]

It seems like it has taken me forever to get to where I'm at in the building of my trailer. I've gone weeks without looking at the thing or even thinking about it. I've had some good excuses though- 2 surgeries, a reunion that forced me to work on the house for a month, a trip to Hawaii, a shortage of funds(caused by the trip to Hawaii), etc.
What I would like to share with some of you that might just be starting is this...don't get discouraged if it takes much longer than you expected to build your tear. Stuff happens and you may even lose interest... for a while. I think this is pretty common, especially if you're not retired and can only work on your project part time. Enjoy each milestone you reach, such as completing the frame, finishing the hatch, or registering your teardrop(bit of a pain that!) You will get around to finishing your trailer if you are determined to do so. George.

[Gage]

Hell George, I'm retired and it still took me 2 1/2 years to build mine. I just told everyone that I was on 'Teardrop Time' and don't have to have it finished next week.

Have a good day.

[Larwyn]

I am taking much longer than most to build my TD. Not only am I not retired, my job keeps me away from home about half the time. So when I do get home I have all those chores that many of you manage to deal with after work during the week. I also do some light construction/remodel work and manage a small rv park/campground two months of the year for some very interesting participants in the largest rennisance faire in the country. There is no teardrop time during those two months, I end up sitting around a fire with musicians, artists and performers trading lore and lies of the past and present. These are all good reasons not to be working on the TD, none of them are complaints, these are good times.

It will take time, but if I had waited till I had time to build it, I would still be waiting. I just take it one task at a time (trying to remember where I left off). One day I'll find myself needing a project for all those clamps and other tools I bought for the then completed TD project...........

[asianflava]

I'm going on 18 months next month. Still not finished but I'm close. I went great guns for a month and then got burnt out. I put on hold for a month.

I had just resumed working on it when my mother-in-law went into the hospital. She went into the hospital a week before Thanksgiving and passed 5 days before Christmas. After that it, was moving her stuff out of her apartment and getting her stuff in order.

We still have a lot of stuff to do to settle the estate but there aren't any pressing issues. I have resumed work, All that is left is spar varnishing the interior and applying the aluminum. Oh, and notching the hatch area.

[Ira]

I'm going on 10 months, with the galley still to do and what seems like a million odds and ends to tie up. (Like bolting down the tongue box. The U-bolts are sitting in the box, but since this isn't the most exciting task in the world, I keep putting it off.)

My main fear is not getting enough done before the Florida rains come again. It absolutely killed me last summer, losing about 75% of my weekends, and I'm afraid this might happen again.

So...

I'll see what I accomplish in the next 2 months, and if not enough, I'm going to buy my EZ-Up with side enclosures and set that up at the boatyard, and work on it rain or shine.

Good thread, George. When I first started building and heard someone say they've been working on it for a year, I thought they were nuts.

Now I understand

[The Teardrop Nanny]

See why some builders will benefit from having a Teardrop Nanny? Keeps 'em on the right track... most of the time....sometimes they might miss the train and have to backtrack, but at least they keep chugging along. Best wishes on your build.

TDN

[TomS]

My build took exactly 9 months. Yup, just like having a baby. Except, this time, the delivery was less painful than the conception!

I think everyone's build takes longer than expected.

[Guy]

I just want to make sure Gage beats me.

[Gage]

Have a good day.

[WarPony]

DUDE, THE LITTLE THINGS ARE DANCING ON MY LAST NERVE!! I wanted to be DONE by the time I went to Cedar Hill........... I'll be lucky if I get HALF of the stuff I wanted to get done due to all the extra crap involved with an engine swap in my tow ride!!

[Feral XJ-SC]

All I have been able to do is read the forums and dream about starting. I thought I would be able to start months ago. sigh...

[weasel]

I wish I found this site and the "Weekender'' plans last summer. Laid off for 7 mo. I've studied alot of builds here and compare,see if it fits me. The square design does simple thats me. I was gonna build a trailer this year. So it was easy to decide to do a TD. I'm not to behind on mine, just takin' time and fitin' and changin' I like what Gage says '' Its teardrop time'' Well, I say ''Its Weasel time'' Hope to finish by the end of March.

[Steve_Cox]

I started August 8th, thought I'd be finished by mid-October. Took most of December and January off because it was cold in the garage., that was my excuse anyway. Unlike Gage, I have a tendency to change my mind as to what I want, maybe I should have taken a couple of years just to think about it first. Now I'm doing all those little things to keep me from building the galley counter top and cabinets, mostly because I haven't decided what I want. The teardrop is going camping in March with or without the galley being finished. The TD will always be a work in progress, at least until a new project is started. All the pictures and ideas from everyone on the forum has helped but also has caused me to change directions on a few occasions, and has really made me want to hold myself to higher standards. Building from scratch, without plans and only a general idea has been fun, the problem solving often rewarding. The failures humbling, and the realization that if there is a "best way" to do something it has become a standard practice right here on the forum.
Thanks to the guru's, the humorists, and the humorless. The world view of teardrops is awe inspiring. Errr.... what was the question?????

[Gage]

Job well done Steve. The one thing about doing it the way you did it. It kept your mind active and most likely pushed your abilities beyond what you felt you could do. Besides that, they say keeping your mind active, you don't get old and have that selective memory loss that so many have.

Have a good day.

[Steve_Cox]

:thumbsup: Job well done Steve. The one thing about doing it the way you did it. It kept your mind active and most likely pushed your abilities beyond what you felt you could do. Besides that, they say keeping your mind active, you don't get old and have that selective memory loss that so many have.

Have a good day.

Gage,

Geez, that gave me goose bumps. (Might have been the 3 cups of coffee this morning) But, thank you for the -
I really admire the quality of your work, and the thoughtfulness you put into what you do. Seems you're a lot like your work, a real classic.