Many ships were tossed around during the crazy hurrincane season of 2008.  One container ship pitched so badly that one of its containers was washed overboard.  Upon impact with the ocean the container broke open and spilled its contents into the sea.  A few weeks later blocks of balsa began washing up on the shores of North Carolina.  Recently we were given a few of these blocks to make something that would return to the sea.  Since the blocks were a maximum of 37 inches the only thing that popped in our minds was to make some Paipos.  A few limited edition Paipos will be made with these Neptune returned balsa blocks.  Since they are a little too short to make a full lenth Paipos these limited edition models will have a nose and tail block made from Paulonia wood.  These too make a great combination due to balsa’s lightness and Paulonia’s strength. 

Pictured is Uncle Joe taking the balsa blocks to thickness and then passing them onto Austin for the final touches.  The first one should be finished sometime around the middle of this month.