Ship of Theseus / Project Recap! (EP58) 

In '96, I was in Japan, visiting some old wooden temples. I asked the caretaker how old the temple was. 1700 years he said. I asked him how the wood survived that long, too which he replied, it doesn't. Each piece gets replaced as it rots, which is why they are built the way they are. Probably each piece has been replaced numerous times over 1700 years, but the temple is still a 1700 year old temple.

"Hi, I'm Leo and I'm on a mission to rebuild and restore the theoretical construct we mutually perceive to be a ship called Tally Ho." Kidding aside, a very thought provoking video; I enjoyed the recap! Cheers!

At first glance, I assumed it was just a fantastic replica. But Leo said "You could always look here and see a boat" I just looked at every video in the series, and indeed, in every episode, there she is. Indisputably there. Unquestionably there. At no point could you ever say there wasn't a boat there. That's Tally Ho.

"this is my great grandfathers axe, only replaced the handles three times and the head twice."

"In this meaningless world, what better thing to do that rebuild an old wooden boat and get sailing?" Well, making videos about it and sharing with us! Thank-you!! You are simply awesome.

“No man ever steps in the same river twice for it is not the same river, and he is not the same man.” Heraclitus

The spirit, heart and soul of that ship was set at the drafting table. The hours you spent on your knees on the lofting floor continues the original ship. You are very correct in saying it doesn't matter. You have breathed new life into Tally Ho! Right on!

The heart and the soul of Tally will live for the next 100 + years because of your dedication and hard work. ‘Nuff said. Thank you Leo and thanks to all the volunteers!

“My name is Leo and I am a boat builder and a sailor”. If ever I heard an understatement...

"My name is Leo and I'm a boatbuilder, a sailor and a philosopher" Very interesting, keep it up!

I prefer to look at this in a non philosophical way. Instead of just letting this once beautiful boat rot or be destroyed you've given her a new life. Albeit with new parts such as a new engine, stove etc and I feel this boat refit or restoration or ... is a continuation of her history. You are reviving her with the help of good people who either are volunteering or are providing the financial support to do this wonderful thing. Each volunteer and each person contributing financially is a part of her history - the story goes on. She isn't crushed or left to rot. Also the older photo of Tally Ho you show in the beginnings of each episode has to me these magnificent sails that billow out like a beautiful sheer dress in the wind or like a little girl twirling around in her favourite dress. The first time I saw Tally Ho's frame I thought it looked so beautiful and it reminded me of a dinosaur skeleton in a museum of natural history. I believe in what you are doing and many others do too. So I see Tally Ho and I appreciate her history and love learning from her history and I appreciate and understand that with this refit she will live on so basically we won't forget her history. She lives on to tell her story - the old and the new. It's also nice to learn from you who always takes the time to explain every process of the rebuilt so well I find myself not just interested but learning, too.

Trigger's Broom! Best wishes Leo, loving the project and your skills. Cheers

" The world is just a massive gloop. " - Leo 2019

Only a limited few special individuals have the skills, drive, motivation, leadership and determination to complete a beautiful project as large as this. You are one of those special people. Great admiration!

Leo is becoming the Miles Davis of modern wooden boatbuiilding. He's a genius with his instruments, has vision and makes art that will last forever. People want to follow him and be in his band. Leo blows his tumpet his own way and why not!

Nelson’s flagship, HMS Victory has almost been completely rebuilt and as far as everyone is concerned it is still HM Victory, no questions asked.

Leo, you’re truly one of the most interesting and inspiring persons ever to listen to. You made me a bit wiser today - cheers for that!

This one was Deeeep.❤️ “In a meaningless world, what better thing to do than rebuild an old wooden boat and get sailing?”

Hi Leo, your "ugly mug" is a very good working interface to connect the world with Tally Ho.

When you talk about the cells in our body changing, you get close to explaining the Buddhist concept of Non-Duality. "To say that Leo today is the same person as the 5 year old Leo would be wrong" - you have grown and changed, physically and mentally. "To say that Leo today is not the same as the 5 year old Leo is also wrong" - your DNA, birth date, name, and maybe even a few scars are still with you. So if you are not your physical form, what are you? You are a combination of your actions, experiences, thoughts and words. Leo is made up of many elements "Not-Leo", like the people who have taught you to sail, the shipwrights that you have worked with, Cecca, the people who have helped you on this project. Similarly, Tally Ho is not just the wood that was in her. She contained the shipwrights that built her, Albert Strange who designed her, the people who raced her to victory, and the families that maintained her (or didn't maintain her). If it hadn't been for all of those "non-Tally Ho" elements, you would not be building the boat that you are building. So yes, Tally Ho 2.0 is Tally Ho. And she isn't. And she is also so much more than the wood and fasteners that we see in the video.

I can tell by how few cuts/edits there are during your soliloquy's that you've thought about this quite a bit. I admire your ability to express yourself on camera this way, and I appreciate the elements of philosophy you've imbued into your project. It's been a joy to follow along.

You do credit to the designer, the marine carpenters, and the sailors who lived for and with this boat, just as you do today. All these beings have made this ship have something that can be compared to a soul. You have been sensitive to her echo, and your contribution ensures that she continues to live. Her existence is more about what she inspires than about the number of original parts that will survive. The shots you have chosen to summarize the work show the care and precision of the restoration. They also remind us that Tally Ho and you have inspired a lot of people from all walks of life to come together to proudly contribute to her restoration. What an extraordinary destiny for a sailboat! So, to me, the authenticity of the ship is not in doubt. You have my admiration.

One thing for certain Leo. I am incredibly impressed with you both as a shipwright, boat builder or whatever you refer to yourself as. I'm glad I started to be a Patreon for you, I also am just amazed as a land lubber raised in the beautiful sea of Cornfields of the Great State of Iowa at how much goes into building a ship of the class of Tally Ho. I'm glad you answered the question of the new repaired boat being the same boat as the one that you hauled into your workshop in Oregon. You're a very wise young man Leo. You have brightened my world immeasurably and I always look forward to getting to watch your videos. Take care and please be careful while you do your work, God forbid that something disastrous happens to you in the middle of this build !!!

Thank you Leo for this episode. It's an important one. I feel that boats have a spirit that is their own. Whether it's like a soul or just something in our minds, who really knows. The fact you are making Tally Ho to the original plans, for me, makes her Tally Ho. Also, if parts of the original boat are incorporated, even if they are used in a different way, as furniture or even decoration, they bring the spirit of the original Tally Ho with them. It's like the axe story. "It's the best axe I've ever had. I've only changed the head once and the handle 3 times".

Build a small metal foundry and use the scrap bronze you cut out when removing the original planking to cast something. A ship bell, perhaps....

“Things men have made with wakened hands, and put soft life into are awake through years with transferred touch, and go on glowing for long years. And for this reason, some old things are lovely warm still with the life of forgotten men who made them.” ― D.H. Lawrence

"The mystery of human existence lies in not just staying alive, but finding something to live for" Fyodor Dostoyevsky

A man was showing his Grandfather's axe to friends many years after his passing, when someone asked if it was original. He replied, "Yes" as only the handle was replaced several times & the head was also replaced a time or two. To which we are all aware of what the response would be. Leo has set about, from the beginning, stating he would replace as necessary what needed replacing & restore the boat to it's original design & shape. Leo is well on his way to accomplishing just what he set out to do! This will be as close to the design drawings as Tally - Ho has been since it's early repairs!!!!!!!!!!!!

in the modern world where more and more people simply talk about doing things and never do, you are actually doing something real and tangible. any question as to whether or not this is tally ho is meaningless. it is tally ho to you, and to me. so it is tally ho

I usually skip over videos that are mostly just talk as I watch to see how things are made or built but I did wathch this one through. It was of interest to me thanks. And a huge thank you to you and your patrons who continue to make these videos available. I came across your project about the time you moved Tally Ho its present location and have eagerly awaited each new episode. Thank you for sharing your journey. It has been emensely enjoyable to watch.

I quite enjoyed the philosophy mixed with the back drop of the construction, thanks for all you efforts informing and entertaining.

Leo, I began watching your channel very late in your process of re-building Tally Ho. I’ve refused to “jump ahead” and I’m loving every minute! I just watched Ep 58 which I’ll deem as the BEDT episode yet! I fully agree with your logic and presentation of it. I only wish I could with joined earlier in order to more individually become involved. As a retiree off good physical shape, I would certainly have jump aboard ship (if you would have had me) and worked shoulder to shoulder with you and your other volunteers! What else is there I can do? PM me as I have no idea even where you are in the process. I admire you and salute you. As a sailor and a boat “re-builder” you have my utmost respect. I am currently re-building a catboat but in no way do I feel it a comparison! Cheers to you and your crew! ⚓️🇺🇸

You are doing the right thing. Rotten wood has no place on a boat. Great work!

I'm going with the decades of deferred maintenance done all at once, explanation. I think that's what he told the boys at the yacht club in England.

Holy shit Leo this was deeper than any ocean that Tally Ho will ever sail in :)

I like the philosophical discussion of the definition of originality. In an organization I am involved in that grades the restoration of a specific antique car, judging standards are in the "appearance" of originality. So, it doesn't have to have the original part as long as it looks original. Obviously, some components are meant to be changed as they wear out (headlights, tires on a car, wood on a wooden boat, cells in our bodies), but if you retain identifiable components (capstan, windlass), the "soul" of the boat lives on. There is also an analogy to the intended use of the restored boat. An antique car can be restored to "museum quality" and then gets trailered everywhere. An antique car restored to functionality is called a "driver". I love that you intend to sail her. IMHO it is a more appropriate and respectful homage to her heritage.

The heart of Tally Ho is in your heart! So carry on Mate! She will sail around the world again with you at the helm!

A boatmaker, sailor, and philosopher! As always - wonderful episode. Keep up the work!

In a meaningless world full of wonders, beauty and thoughtful contemplation, what better thing to do than to add to its sparkle. You have many gifts, not the least of which is the gift of sharing. Thank you.

Wow, that was a video and a half. You have no need to justify to us the absolute labour of love that is the tally ho. This is the same boat and always will be. You have brought it back from the dead and as an engineer watching your progress I am in awe and bow down to you.

Hey. I've been following the project for over a year and being a teacher of philosophy myself I have wondered when Theseus' Problem would come up. Actually I have discussed it with my daughter while watching one of your videos. Thumbs up for enriching this great series of craftsmanship with a reflective and thoughtful twist. Also Kudos to the way you phrased the problem with its different variants and possible solutions. You obviously really thought this through! Keep it up, its going to be a wonderful ship!

The saga of Tally Ho continues and in a hundred years when she is still going strong their will be documentaries of a young shipwright that took on the task of giving the ole girl a new beginning back in the 2000's , and she will still be hailed as Tally Ho .!

Another inspiring video as usual!! In my humble opinion no mater how you call what you are doing, you are doing such a beautiful job, and as you said you are making sure Tally Ho keeps making history, you are not creating a museum piece.

I discovered this thought experiment when I came to this question for myself when I started your series recently. Thank you for addressing it so eloquently. I have gain some new perspective that I haven’t considered before. It’s quite insightful to know your thoughts on the matter watching you work.

Use the teak inside for furniture, it's a good way to use it in a way everyone can easily see .

I just love watching the process. Some of us live out our dreams while the rest of us watch with envy and admiration.

I'am living in Northern Germanany, so excuse my bad English. Leo, you left always the original Parts as long as posible on the boat. So the Spirit has time to travel into the new Wood. Sounds funny, but i believe so. And your unbelieveable deep connection to original Design and your incredible work makes the other half of the Spirit of the Tally Ho. I'm sure, you are the right one to do this work of rescue, I'm also sure Albert Strange agrees also. Now Tally Ho is launched, i see a little tired but a very very happy face. Your sailing adventures in the future will be fantastic. Best wishes and if possible, let us participate, thank you so much.

boat builder, sailor and now PHILOSOPHER, ....many regards and respect for being REAL !!!

Concidering the fact that the option had most likly been she had been left to rot and ended up as firewood and been forgotten, i think most o us can agree with that this was at least a better option even if it may not be the "original boat". This project is outstanding in my opinion.

Leo. My nomination for “The Most Interesting man in the World”

1) A wood boat is but a temporary state between Dirt...and Dirt (smile). 2) When you take something apart, just so many times, eventually... you will have two of them. 3) This is my grandfather's Axe, but my dad had to replace the handle, and I had to replace the head, but as I hand this to my son, or grandson, it will be our family's Axe. Your perspective is spot on Leo. Thank You for sharing this content. This is my grandfathers photo, my dad digitized it to a CD, and I posted it on You Tube lest we forget!

If it is old and you want to rebuild it there is never much of the original left.. Time takes it's toll and I love what you are doing!!!

The skill that has been demonstrated during this rebuild is reason enough to be thankful that Tally-ho came to your notice. We can all rejoice that she was a bag of worms.

There was once a great man of the name “Trigger” And he did own a broom

After all is said and done, (selfishly)I do hope you continue this channel into your sailing adventures. You have been a staple in my viewing for as long as you have been on youtube. Thanks Leo.

It's the same boat in spirit , you've dedicated all your hard work and expense to Tally Ho's essence and history when you could have easily changed the name. Thanks to you guys , her memory lives on.

To me, you started with Tally Ho and it would not exist without Tally Ho so it is Tally Ho!

From Betty to Tally Ho, to being rebuilt, she will always be Tally Ho. When I first saw Tally Ho at Brookings Harbor, I thought for sure she would be broken up for scrap. I did not think anyone would buy her as her condition was bleak. Thank you Leo for your determination and wood working skills, and for taking us along on this fascinating journey.

Watching this episode again 2 years later. Love your philosophy!

Masterfully scripted, narrated and edited. Your channel is most satisfying. Watching you remake this boat shows excellence in ingenuity, woodworking and even social networking. Can't wait for the second maiden voyage of the Tally Ho...

Man, I bet your head hurts after all that philosophical thought and dissertation. Good job, I totally agree that your Tally Ho is the one and only Tally Ho. Your restoration work and craftsmanship is Top Notch. Cheers.....

My proposition is that you are making it more "Tally Ho" than it's been in a VERY long time by following the original design to a surgical level

"hi, my name is Leo, I'm a boat builder and and a philosopher" You are in the true, continue like that! I hope I could come sail one day!

I hear a smart young man here. No doubt Leo reflected on a number of philosophical questions while sailing and spending time in the nature. I learn about boat building here but also about a lot of other stuff while watching this series. thanks Leo.

Really interesting to hear your philosophy on tally ho remaining tally ho.

I thoroughly enjoyed this chat, much more to think about than just getting two pieces of timber to line up. Keep up the great work!

Leo, you are raising a sweet philosophical and existential debate here. It clearly shows your emotional bond to this incredible undertaking. Apparently, Tally Ho is what you and we think it is, that matters most. And by the way, you may rebuild a massive boat, but i believe you are actually reviving it. Can't wait to see that huge smile on your face when the first breeze fills the sails of Tally Ho and the vessel starts gliding on water. That would be the most massive thank you for everyone who believes in you. Keep it tight!

I have watched this episode many times. I think it is probably the most important one. Looking at it again, now, I think it almost amusing to hear Leo say that he does not intend Tally Ho to be a "museum piece" since it has become something I believe would fit perfectly in a boat museum. The amount of attention to detail and craftsmanship that has gone into her is staggering. I look forward to seeing her under sail soon. Cheers.

What a great recap! And thanks a lot for sharing your ideas on Tally Ho's identity.

New boat. New energy added. New memories created. New or old it is Tally Ho.

I got in late, having become aware of your project from recent news stories about your dealings with Clallam County (ugh), and have been watching a few videos a day to catch up. This is my favorite so far. I like the way your mind works.

Douglas Adams remarked something along the lines you said about a temple in Tokio, if memory serves me correctly: He was shown around and he was told that the temple was a thousand and a couple hundred years old, but that it had burnt down several times and was rebuilt as closely to the previous one as possible. His remark "but then it's not a thousand years old" was countered with, "but it is the same temple!"

Great-brilliant vids. Total respect for this guy from the off.

“It’s all just a big massive Gloop.” - Leo Sampson Goolden October, 2019 A more succinct summation of reality I’ve not encountered.

This project you are undertaking is also a good thing to do in a world that is perilously fraught with meaning.

I have been following the rebuild since the beginning and I am amazed every time. I would like to think that I am fairly handy and am sort of a jack of all trades, however your level of ingenuity, skill and perseverance make me feel inadequate. Don’t take that the wrong way. I’m just saying that you are amazing and very talented. Keep up the good work! Cheers Mike

Some time in the distant future, when you tire of boat building, you will make an excellent philosophy professor. Wishing you happiness.

Leo, a boatbuilder and a sailor (and a philosopher). I did enjoy this one particularly.

Thanks for your "big ugly mug"! Hahaha! It will always be Tally-Ho. What an inspiration & honest & open bloke you are, Leo. Keep up the great adventure.

Modern bureaucracy has resolved the question. As far as the government is concerned, the only part that matters is the hull number stamp. If the new boat has that same registration stamp permanently affixed, then it is the old boat. If there's a new stamp, then it is a different boat.

Who would have thought when starting to follow this amazing project, that we would be discussing philosophy along the way. Well said though Leo. I agre with your thinking that if at any time in the process you can look at Tally Ho, and recognise her, then that is still Tally Ho! And we all love yer ugly mug!

New definition of a rich man; Leo..... Possibly your best video ever ! Sailor boat builder historian storyteller filmmaker..... It would be Awesome to sail anywhere as your crew .... Peace

I only heard about this series of videos a week ago (it is 5th August 2022 today) and I have spent a lot of very enjoyable time in front of my computer watching the series from the beginning.If I remember correctly you left school at 18 and spent 2 years touring around Europe before you started in boat building and sailing so you have not had a university education, yet you just gave us an incredible philosophical argument about wether or not this is still the Tally Ho.You also have displayed amazing knowledge of your trade and have incredible skills and abilities, who says university training is necessary to do anything in this world, just apply intelligence, logic and common sense to figure out the problems.Thank you for giving me so much enjoyment.

50 years of maintenance in a few years . "SAME BOAT"

And I said to myself " I'm not going to sit through all of this," and then I did, and I enjoyed it all. Thanks

I think your spot on. The idea that the boat and those people who interact with it share a common history. Meaning, while the boat remains largley intact, the parts replaced are just part of the boats journey through time. Nice. It's the same boat. Incredible work and great video. thanks.

On a mission, in a meaningless world building/restoring/creating a boat. Not only to preserve history, but to create it as well. Love this upload!! Puts everything in perspective. Or just nothing.... Great to see how your mind and body are so very complementary! Keep up the great everything...

The soul of the boat is the same even with new parts, the soul or meaning [history] of boat is the wealth to you, and to me. Keep rebuilding.

Doesn't matter the shell, the spirit is that is important !

There is an organic, natural beauty and order to this regeneration of an older order. You and the original architect could stand on the deck, shake hands and admire each other's handy work

Same ballast keel, same boat. It surprises me that this "discussion" is still going on after all this time.

Love the video montage, you’ve done this refit justice. Go Tally Ho

really like the analogy with the river, its constantly changing both in shape and content

You are making history, and creating a vast interest in boat building.

You leave out something here and that would be the soul. You have went meticulously to keep the soul of the boat and with that you have put your soul into it. I found you by watching a deal on sawmills and it was when you went to Georgia to get wood found you interesting and pulled up the page. I started at episode 1 and have watched everyone in full length to this point I don't jump ahead. I find the boat fascinating You fascinating and your passion fascinating . You have kept its soul put your heart and soul into it and when you put her back to sea the souls of all that have sailed her in the past will be sailing with you. No doubt It is the Tally Ho.

Someone once described a boat to me as "A hole in the water that you throw money into". The point is, the hole you will end-up with will be EXACTLY the same shape as the one you started with. Therefore, the same boat "Tally Ho".

Beyond the wood is the spirit of Tally Ho and to “rebuild-replace” the wood, doesn’t erase the spirit. So Tally Ho lives on !!!!!

Leo, you neglected to mention the soul of Tally Ho...you, as a craftsman are standing on the shoulders of the men that originally built her and those that sailed and maintained her over the last 100 years. You are adding to her history and your work will probably mean that she will have a life after you...and those that then sail upon her will continue the legacy, adding their passion to her soul. It is such an honour to be allowed to follow you and Tally Ho's journey. Simply amazing and inspiring work...👍😳😳😳😳

Watched most of your episodes, amazing seeing this montage and how much you've done!

The name Enterprise has continued for years, with zero continuity between the vessels named as such except for their ability to carry humans. Tally Ho is being taken back to its intended original design, hence I would argue it is the same vessel. As for the old wood, perhaps sections of it could be milled down into plaques for sale. Just a simple routered edge, and some kind of image commemorating its history laid on top. Might be a good way to help raise further funds.