Stitch. Glue. Paddle. Repeat.
For the past few months, I’ve been volunteering with the shop class at our local high school. It’s not politics, and it’s not policy - it’s something much more foundational: working side by side with students, showing them how to build something real with their own hands.
Together, we built a sabot, a sturdy little 8-foot dinghy that’s as much a rite of passage as it is a boat. It’s made from quarter-inch plywood, stitched and glued together, layer by layer, with care, curiosity, and a whole lot of sawdust.
What Is Stitch-and-Glue?
"Stitch and glue" boat building is as ingenious as it is accessible. It’s a method born out of necessity - a way to build strong, watertight boats with simple materials and even simpler tools. You don’t need a boatyard. You need plywood, wire, epoxy, fiberglass - and the willingness to learn.
Here's how it works:
First, the students traced full-size templates of the boat’s panels onto sheets of marine-grade plywood.
Next, they cut those panels out with jigsaws, learning to follow the line without cutting corners…literally.
Then, we stitched the panels together with fine wire, giving the boat its shape like a paper lantern stretched into form.
After that, we mixed up batches of epoxy filler and smoothed it into the seams. It’s a process called "fairing" that seals and strengthens the joints and smooths them.
Finally, they laid strips of fiberglass tape over the seams and coated them in resin, reinforcing the whole structure until it was strong enough to be watertight and hold people.
The Launch
Today, we put the boat in the water. There’s something unforgettable about watching a group of teenagers paddle something they built themselves for the first time. The boat floated perfectly on its lines, watertight, and proud. They took turns paddling, laughing, and shouting tips across the pond like seasoned sailors.
Why This Matters
This wasn’t just about building a boat. It was about building confidence, skills, and connection. I didn’t do it because I’m running for office. I did it because this is what I believe in: getting my hands dirty, teaching what I know, and helping others find joy in hard work and craftsmanship.
There’s a lot of talk in politics about building the future. But too often that talk doesn’t lead to real action. My approach has always been different. I believe in rolling up my sleeves, solving problems, and actually building things. Whether it's a small boat, a thriving business, or a better future for our kids.
A Leadership Philosophy in Sawdust and Fiberglass
I don’t believe in leading from a podium. I believe in leading from the workshop, the waterline, and the community center. In places where young people learn new skills, where neighbors work together, and where what’s built by hand matters more than what’s posted online.
This boat, made from scraps, sweat, and teamwork, is proof that great things can come from simple materials and the will to create. That’s how I want to lead: by doing the work, empowering others, and leaving something better behind.
If you believe that real change starts at the ground level, on the shop floor, then we already have something in common.
Let’s build the future together. One stitch at a time.
— Antony Barran
Barran for Congress
