A Few Things Weve Learned so Far

As I mentioned in my last post, we took some video of our last work session. The majority of this video footage covers tasks weve completed to date, a quick summary of some of our day-to-day tasks, and a couple of things weve learned along the way. This post is primarily to post links to the videos we made. I apologize in advance for the poor audio quality (we left the TV on in the background, and it is a little distracting), but I am posting this in the hope that youll pick up a couple of tips and tricks that we learned along the way. It will also let you actually see who we are, and what our workshop is like.

Video of the epoxy tray we made
Mixing the epoxy
Applying the epoxy sealer coat
Mixing the thickened epoxy (Peanut Butter)
Be careful after you lay the epoxy

After laying the sealer coat of unthickened epoxy to each surface to be glued, lay the thickened epoxy on one of the sealed surfaces with a trowel. After the thickened epoxy is applied, set the pieces together, weigh them down to ensure a good solid bond between the surfaces, and apply a couple of screws to hold the surfaces together. We specifically recommend the weighting and screwing process, as if you dont weight them down, you may not get a nice tight fit. If you dont screw the pieces together, the epoxy can act as a lubricant between the fitted pieces between when the surfaces are laid together, and when the epoxy sets. The result is that you can end up with the pieces sliding a little, and the fit of the boards is not as precise. You can remove the screws after the epoxy has dried.

Read More..

Actual Real Genuine Boat Work

Its been a long time coming, but we actually worked on the boat itself today... approximately sixteen months since we last made any progress on the boat building project. Today, we leveled out the boat, and fit the cross member frame pieces.

To give you some idea of how large the hull is, what you see in between the frame pieces is a pry bar.

Alternatively, this may give you a better idea of the scale were dealing with...

Next time, we plan to start securing the frame pieces to the stringers and hull. YEAH!! We get to play with epoxy again.

Read More..

The Kit Isnt Perfect

ShavedTransom
Originally uploaded by OzzyC.

In this photo, Im holding the piece we cut from the rear transom. We cut this piece from both ends, so the kit cut the rear transom about 1" large on both ends.

Read More..

New Boat

I am currently on a quest to figure out what the next build will be.  Requirements are:

1.  It is to be a sailboat to replace the 1969 Enterprise Sailing Dinghy that is too tough on my back and knees. 

2.  Able to carry a few guests but not too many!

3.  Can be built in a single car garage.

4.  Sails well and can handle Buzzards Bay and Nantucket Sound.

5.  Easily launched and rigged in 15 minutes so as to encourage using the boat. 

6.  Not too expensive. 

Some options:

Richard Woods Strike 18 - dont know much about upwind performance, total cost of build, and ability in choppy conditions.  (Buzzards Bay rivals San Francisco most summer afternoons). 

Michalak - Blobster (but dont know enough about sailing in chop and wind).  Like the ease of build and the simple, yet effective lug sail.
 

Welsford Navigator -  This boat seems to be the best fit, but need to finish research on the others.  rig options are endless.














Core Sound 17 (or 20) - Very promising. 

• stitch and glue
• handle wide range of wind
• can take 3-4 for a ride
• easy to rig
• easy to sail. 

The 17.

The 20

will the 20 fit in the garage
How easy is it to lift these spars into place? 
How difficult to build is the rig? 

A lot going for this design as either boat will perform acceptably well!




Welsford Houdini - had to throw this in as a Blobster rival.  No cabin, but need to state that I have rarely used the cabin on any cabin boat I have owned! 

Read More..

Group 2 Meets to Begin Boat Building

Akeem does some finishing work (top). One group works together to mix the apoxy in order to glue the scarf joints (bottom).

The very cold air did not deter our 12 participants and 10 volunteers from arriving ready for work. Today group 2 was to replicate what the first group started on their canoe last weekend.
The following comments were made by participants in the second group after their first day at work on Peace Canoe #2:
MJ (age 11) Its fun! I get to help make a boat. My part today was working on the hull and one side of the boat, it is a fun project.
T. Graham (age 14) I like to build with legos, so getting to build something like a canoe is very interesting.
Maurice (age 15) It was exhilarating! We had to lift cinder blocks to brace the scarf joints.
Tammy (age 10) It was fun, because we are treated like an adult. We got to use many tools and supplies that we could not use at home. It was exquisite!
Deion (age 13) It was fun! I got to experience something I never did and never thought Id do. I feel proud to be a part of Boat Building by the Bay.
Keyshawn (age 11) I helped put together the sides of the canoe by nailing. I liked working with the other kids, because we made a good team.
Dalontay (age 9) My group marked the lines for cutting and then we used the glue gun to glue the sides.
Today was another successful day at the McNasby "Boat Shop," we meet again on February 7th and 14th if you are around Eastport, we welcome you to stop in and see our progress between 9am and 1pm.

Read More..

Boat Building Is it Easy to Build a Boat

Many want to know how hard building a boat is. Well truth of the matter it is can be simple or it could be quite hard. It just matters on what type of boat you want to build. When it comes to the designs and boat building, they can be quite simple or hard. There are a few things that could make your boat design difficult.

If you are new to making boats and all that, when you first begin reading a boat plan you might be a little lost. You might even think that boat building isnt easy. This is because they use shorthand and you will still be getting used to all the terms. However, it gets easier as you go.

Knowing what materials to use could make boat building seem tough. There are many choices and when you choose one material there might be all sorts of things that could fall in that category to use. You just have to know your stuff, but there are plenty of resources out there that can guide you.
The bigger the boat, the harder it will be. That is a given. Also, the more things you add to the boat the harder it will be. There are things like the hull and so forth that have to be calculated just right in order for you to fully finish and have a successful boat that you are proud of. Boat building can be a hobby and those who find it a hobby are the ones who dont find it as challenging to do. There is a lot to consider when building a boat and people learn quickly that it doesnt always have to be as complicated. Using resources and using practice can make it easier than you think. Is it hard or easy? Time will tell.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3000398

Read More..

Tying the Hull

Weve finally had an opportunity to get back to work on the boat. The weather was cool, our schedules were clear, so we worked. Last night we spent about three hours tying the hull and filling the gaps with thickened epoxy.

Read More..

The Frame is Finished

Yesterday Greg and I put the finishing touches on the frame -- unless he decides to re-tweak, which he often does. We shimmed all of the areas where there were loose joints on the temporary frame. Were now ready to lay the hull. Next week, we will be in Northeastern Wisconsin, for our annual canoe/whitewater kayak trip, so there wont be any working on the boat. Instead, well be playing in the canoes we made last year and paddling our kayaks.

Read More..

A Quick Disclaimer

Let it be stated for the record that this blog is NOT designed to be an infallible guideline for how to do a similar project yourself. As I stated at the beginning of this blog, these posts are designed to chronicle our specific journey, and maybe to provide some tips and tricks that may or may not be beneficial to you. If you incorporate any of the recommendations, you do so at your own risk. If you disregard any of our recommendations, you do so at your own risk. If you even view the contents of this blog, you do so at your own risk. Neither Greg nor I will be responsible in any way, shape or form for anything that you do, whether its a stroke of brilliance, or something worthy of a Darwin Award
Its an unfortunate reality that I feel the need to post this disclaimer, but I dont want any of your silly asses filing a lawsuit against us, saying "Greg and Dave made me do it." We didnt make you do anything!

Read More..

Dancing the Boat

Building this boat is kind of like dancing a box step... step forward, step sideways, step back, step sideways, repeat ad nauseum. Greg decided that he didnt like the red finish on the bottom... too much orange peel texture for him. So we sanded it smooth and tried a roll and tip. It wasnt good enough. Now Gregs decided to do an epoxy-based, black-tinted bottom, infused with graphite, giving us a smooth bottom that (theoretically) will give us a more durable bottom coat that does a better job of sliding over rocks without killing the paint. He had done the copper-infused bottom paint, but since were going to be running this almost exclusively in fresh water, hes not concerned about buildup on the bottom.

Read More..

Boat Plans What You Must Know Before Choosing One

Building your own boat can be cheaper than buying a manufactured boat. It can also be a great hobby for anyone who has some basic carpentry experience and enjoys working with their hands. A boat that you have made yourself can be a thing of pride and beauty and something to treasure for years to come. Of course, it takes a good deal of time and, though not as much as you would spend on a premade boat, a decent amount of money. Considering this, you certainly don’t want to just jump in and start such a project without the proper knowledge and the perfect boat plan.

The Internet is full of boat plans. Many companies sell boat plans for a small price. However, they aren’t all worth the price. A lot of plans found online are quite old, so the finished boat could be an older design which might have several technical faults in the hull construction. The simplicity and convenience of using the Internet to find a boat plan won’t matter if you end up with a plan that will not work for you.

You cannot know how your boat will behave in the water or in rough weather conditions on the ocean. Large companies have the gear and knowledge to test these conditions. They normally use scale models of an original design in specially-designed software in research labs before building a life-sized prototype. Obviously, you are not going to be able to perform such tests.

Another option is to spend lots of money and spend many work hours building your boat, then test it in real-life conditions. Can you imagine your distress at going through so much trouble, only to watch your brand-new boat fail the test? Unless you have time, money and energy to burn, this is definitely not an appealing option!

There is another way to make sure you’ve chosen a boat plan that will help you make your dream boat. This option doesn’t involve laboratories or crossing your fingers and hoping for the best. Instead, when shopping around for a boat plan, look for all the reviews you can find on each seller. If you can find positive testimonies from happy customers about a company, you will definitely be on the right track. If you want to have a better chance at making sure all of your time, money and effort won’t be spent in vain, it will be worth it to you to spend a few days looking for just the right plan.

Read More..

More Boat Work Sort Of

Greg and I have had a second session of boat work. Okay, it wasnt really, directly, actually working on the boat itself, but were making progress toward getting back at the task of constructing the boat.

Yesterday, I helped him mount his air compressor to the floor in the garage. Hes been there over a year now, and is just now getting around to this task. That should help you all understand why and how such a long hiatus occurred in the first place.

The next thing you need to understand is that the boats shell has become a sort of storage container. Specifically, he stored a canoe, a touring kayak, and many, many aluminum pop and beer cans in the hull of his yet-to-be-named watercraft-in-the-making. After mounting the air compressor, we hung some pulleys from the ceiling, which allowed Greg to hang the canoe and kayak, thus allowing us to resume our project.

You may notice that were now doing this every other weekend. This means that the boat will probably be finished in about two years -- assuming that we dont take any more sabbaticals. It also means that well probably be ready to actually work on the boat itself in approximately one month. Next week, we will finish shoring up the trailer, and finish wiring the air compressor -- if Greg hasnt completed that task by our next boat building session.

Read More..

February 7th and 14th Boat Building Sessions

Tammy is able to hammer nails into place (top) after Maurice has drilled preparation holes (bottom).

During the February sessions each group worked on getting the chine logs adhered to their canoes. From their original groups they were broken down into 3 task groups. One group had the task of getting the seats ready, while the other two groups each took one side of the canoe to work on. They had to begin by measuring off equidistant spots as to where the holes would be placed in preparation for the hammering of many nails. During this activity many participants were able to use a power drill for the first time. The kids really felt empowered given the use of this tool. The progress they are making will allow for their canoes to take an actual shape during the March sessions.
Looking forward, the public is always invited to our session at the McNasby Building. Our next building dates are Saturdays March 7th and 14th. Also, if you are downtown the first weekend of May for the Annapolis Maritime Heritage Festival, keep an eye out for the participants painting their canoes as part of the Annapolis Maritime Museum booth.

Read More..

Boat Frame III

Boat Frame III
Originally uploaded by OzzyC

I havent forgotten about you or the boat. Its simply that were operating slowly this winter. Were close to flipping the boat, so theres not much to do other than build the cradle for the flip. As you can see from this picture, the cradle is nearly finished. Once the snow melts a bit and the weather warms a little, well flip er and get back to work.

Read More..

Boat Scar

Ive finally got a picture of the scar.

Click on the picture for a larger photo and some notes.

Read More..

I Havent Forgotten About You or the Boat

We didnt do any boat work this weekend. Greg was out of town. Were probably not doing any boat work next week because its gonna be my bachelor party. We wont be doing any boat work the weekend after becaust Im getting married that weekend, and its Greg and his daughters birthdays. Are you seeing a trend here? I miss working on the boat.

But last weekend, we joined the bottom hull pieces together with thickened epoxy. Not much progress, but every little bit counts.

Read More..

Its starting to look like a boat

BoatFrame
Originally uploaded by OzzyC.

This week, we set the rest of the sacrificial frame pieces in place, using the same process described in last weeks entry. This photo shows the full skeleton of the boat, and based on the shape of the skeleton, you should now be able to mentally picture the shape of the hull.

At this point, the stringers and sacrificial frame pieces are not precisely set in their final position, but theyre pretty close. Some of the notches are too wide, too deep (or too shallow), or some combination thereof. But again, its pretty close.

Next week we will do more precise adjustments of the frame by cutting the too-shallow notches a little deeper, and shimming the areas where theres too much slop. That process will likely take a couple of sessions, because were picky on precision.

Read More..

Wooden Boat Building What you should find out before you start

Wooden Boat Building – What you should find out before you start

Wooden Boat Building is easy if you know how, have the right place to build your dream boat in, a supportive group of family and friends, enough money to carry on the project without straining the family budget, and you have selected a project within your capabilities. That is, it is easy if you have a decent idea of what you want to use the boat for when you have finished, know where you are going to store it when you are not using it, have decide how you are going to transport it, have decided on what type of boat you are going to build.
Of course you also want to know where you are going to get the plans for the boat, what tools you are going to use, how many hours it will take to build, what you are going to paint it with in order to protect it from the elements and that is before we get down to the details of the actual construction.
Confused, Disheartened, unsure of yourself, well join many thousands of well meaning people like yourself who set out on the great wooden boat building adventure, just as confused as you are.

Some give up before they start, some begin projects they never complete, some begin projects that they complete but wished they had never started.

However many begin and complete projects on time, within budget and without too many hassles. They go on to be boat owners and enjoy thoroughly the fruits of their labour.
Some, a lucky few have so much fun get so much satisfaction out of seeing the beautiful wooden boat take shape beneath their own hands that they fall in love with wooden Boat Building and go on to build not one boat but many.

Which category will you fall into depends very greatly on some decisions you have to make now before the project begins.

I will list out the 10 questions I think are the most important questions you need to answer.

1. Why do you want to Build Your Own Boat?
Make a list of at least 5 reasons, examine them carefully- be truthful. It may be better to hire or charter a boat instead.

2. Do you have the support of family and friends and neighbours in this venture?
You may not need physical help but you certainly need moral support

3. What do you want to use the boat for when you have finished building?
This will determine both type and size of the boat- are you a fisherman, a sailor, a powerboat enthusiast

4. Do you have a place you can build the boat?
Don’t laugh, the place must be suitable for the boat you are going to build – there have been stories of people needing large cranes to lift their boat over the roof of the house; at great expense; because someone didn’t check that the boat would fit down the drive.

5. How much experience do you have, what is your actual skill set, can you brush up on what you don’t know?
There are many institutions that provide wood craft classes if not actual boat building classes. The finish of the boat will depend on the skill level you can develop.

6. How much money can I commit to the project?
Think about it, if you have to downsize your dreams better to do it now. Finished boats sell readily and for good prices, unfinished boats break your heart and don’t sell for much.

7. How much time can you commit to the venture?
Estimates for how long a certain boat design will take to build are available from any place that sells plans. Add a bit for your inexperience and make sure you can commit the time. Be honest, no use starting a project in the fall with the dream of some summer fishing and just end up spending the summer break locked in the shop still sanding down and finishing the boat so you can get you wife’s car in the garage before next winter.

Having come this far thelast Questions are serious.

8. What Type of boat are you going to build?
You have the desire, the support, an idea of what you want to do with the finished boat, a place to build, and knowledge of what you are capable of, a budget in both money and time.
Now is the time to decide on a type of boat.

9. What building method are you going to use?
Come on! By now you have haunted the library, pestered friends, bought magazines, been to the local yacht club, and hung around the local boat ramp. You need to decide on a build type.
If you have no idea about build types then - STOP NOW - Go wash your hands and take up another project.

10. Where are you going to get the plans?
Do Not! Repeat Do Not even think you can build a boat without a decent set of plans.
Never start a Wooden Boat Building Project without well drawn plans. Disaster lies in that direction.

Ok ! that should give you something to think about, I’m off to sharpen the old adze and prepare for the comments ?

Wooden Boat Building can be a highly rewarding, satisfying and even profitable undertaking and yes you can build your own boat, but make sure you think before you begin.

Read More..

Group 1 Meets to begin Boat Building

One of the groups learns how to use the glue gun from volunteer Jake (Photo taken by Chris Holmes)
10 volunteers and 12 participants were on hand this morning to begin construction of the first Peace Canoe. Three groups each worked on an important task during this first day of construction.
One group was responsible for gluing the scarf joints, the second group had to nail the hull, and the third group worked on one of the sides. The participants were excited as this was the first project of the kind that these kids have all been involved with. The kids enjoyment and momentum of the volunteers kept the project going and all was completed by noon when the pizza arrived.
All the kids agreed that this was a fun experience and they are excited to come back on February 7th to continue construction.

Read More..

Selling the Boat The Final Post

Todays post is officially the last post for this blog, and its not at all how I envisioned wrapping up the project, or the blog.  On October 27, 2015, my best friend -- a man Id known for over 35 years -- passed away unexpectedly.

Ten years ago, Greg set out on a journey to build a cabin cruiser, and I eagerly agreed to go along for the ride.  We worked on the boat consistently for about three years before life got in the way.  Over the next two years or so, we worked on the boat a couple of times.  We havent worked on the boat for about five years, but we frequently talked about getting back to it.. someday.  Now, Greg is gone.  While I have the expertise to finish the boat, I do not have the heart.  After discussing things with Gregs widow, we have agreed that the best approach is to put the boat up for sale.  If you are interested in purchasing the boat, please read on...

For Sale are the following items, which are being sold as a kit.  We are not interested in selling items separately.

-GT23 cabin cruiser kit, partially assembled.  Hull is constructed.  Stringers are in.  Frame pieces are in from the stern to approximately 2/3 of the way to the bow.  Bottom is coated with skid-resistant, graphite-infused epoxy.  Rubber skid plate is installed on the bottom so that you can intentionally beach the boat without damaging the paint.  Remainder of the kit is intact and accounted for to the best of my knowledge.  Transom has an extra 1/2" plywood panel, designed to accommodate high-output motors.

-GT23 cabin cruiser plans.

-Aluminum bracket for mounting the motor to the transom.  The bracket is NOT currently mounted to the boat.

-Evinrude 150HP V6 outboard motor with 4 blade propeller.  The motor is currently on a custom-built rolling stand.  The motor has not been started in a little over a year, but it started last time I checked.

-28.5 ft Trail Star Tracker trailer, with custom brackets designed specifically to carry the GT23.

-1 new roll of bi-axial fiberglass, 4 wide.

-Approximately 2 gallons of Epoxy Resin.

-1 gallon of slow Epoxy Hardener.

-1/2 quart of medium Epoxy Hardener

-Several extras, including several disposable sanding and fiberglass respirators, Full West 407 Low Density Fairing Filler, 1lb Phenolic, 6 oz Fumed Silica, two bags chopped glass, 1 lb milled glass fibers, 1/2 bag graphite powder, 3 lbs wood flour, 4 rolls biaxial fiberglass tape (6" wide), box of leftover fiberglass pieces and parts that are still usable, disposable rubber gloves, tongue depressors for stirring, and additional books on building stitch and glue boats.

-Please note that I will use a small amount of the extras as I repair a canoe that Greg and I built in 2003.  As such, the Epoxy and extras may be slightly less than listed above, depending on how much material is required for the repair job.

-Price is $4000 firm.  The boat kit alone goes for over $7500.  Motor is worth $2000.  Trailer is worth $2000.  If you are interested in purchasing this boat, please check out the forums at www.bateau.com.

In the pictures below, you will notice a relief cut at the halfway point.  The relief cut is there because the boat was slightly too wide.  Greg put the relief cut in to ensure that the boat can be towed in all 50 states without a wide load permit.

Read More..