while back I got an email from John Bertilson. Here is what he said:

A few years ago I purchased boat building plans from Duckworks: the Dorado, designed by Jim Michalak. Last summer I launched it in Prince William Sound, Alaska. I spent about a week and a half camping on the boat with a camcorder pointed at some of the fun things I did out there. My original intent was to simply show my folks why I like Alaska so much. Well after being a first time boat builder, and launching for the first time in a real ocean, I suppose I also can say that I am a first time film producer.

What I have made is a DVD of that experience that is compelling despite some of its amateurish flaws, but it is one that I think readers of your magazine (like me) might enjoy. It does not show the building of the boat, but it does show the experiences that you can have on one. I wished that this type of video was available for other boats whose plans you sell.

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Right off I was dubious. I have seen videos by professionals and students of film that were not too bad but I have also seen some pretty embarasing video from experienced anateurs, never mind rank beginners. But John was not to be denied and he sent me a copy of his DVD. So I took the disk home and put it by the DVD player where it sat for a few days. Then one evening I had nothing to do so I popped John's disk in the player and started watching.

5 minutes into this facinating film, I was wondering

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why this guy was telling me he had never made a film before when he was an obvious professional. The production values are that good. He still insists that he has never made a movie before and I'll take his word for it, but honestly you have to see this film to believe it.

Unfortunately, there is no footage of the construction of the boat, but the cruise which he documents here is a real joy to watch. First of all, the Alaskan scenery and wildlife is breath taking, and the way he lets the story unfold is calming and relaxing - just the thing to watch with an adult beverage after a rough day at work.

I asked John to make a little teaser to give folks a sense of what they can expect when they watch the full 90 minute flick.

Pretty cool, eh?  Do yourself a favor and buy this Disk. Or put it on your wish list for next Christmas. Or, here is an idea: Buy it as a gift for a friend and then borrow it and watch it yourself.