For anyone who's built their own boat....

[KnottyBuoyz]

That pretty much goes without sayin' Willie. There's been some very colorful metaphors used on this project so far. Mostly during the construction of the shed!

I knew I was going to run into this lil' logistical problem eventually.

The side panels with the extension are 32' 3" long. The shed is only 32'!

The only solution I could come up with is putting a small extension on the front of the shed. I still have to allow passage from the adjoining house to the side yard. When I built the barn doors I knew I'd probably do something like this.....

I know it doesn't look pretty but I don't care as long as it keeps the rain out. I'll hang a screen door on it later. That's about it for today, it's over 90 degs in the shed. Have to put some work into more ventilation.

 

[Flutterby]

I guess the shed is never finish, eh?

"It's not the boat "you built" until you've sworn at it, bled on it, sweated over it and cried beside it!":
What about "as well as seen it floating"????? I frequently check your blog as well as this thread! Very educational for this old gal. Thanks!

 

[Thudpucker]

Hey I've lived pretty comfortably in places that look like that!
None of that finely crafted Blue stained walls though!

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

I think I'll add "when it floats upright" when I actually get it wet Flutters!

It could be made livable really easy Thud, some satellite TV, a head, fridge and a hammock! The blue tint to everything takes a little getting used to though! ;-)

Not much to report today, just gluing and taping more seams on the side panels.

 

[dl2525]

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Originally posted by KnottyBuoyz

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Originally posted by dl2525

So I'm assuming that as you assemble the larger pieces, you'll need to start fabbing up the craddle or something to support the structure? Do the insturctions give you details on that too? Or are you left on your own to figure that out?

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Oh no, it's all there, included in the kit. It's called a "Strongback" and the hull is put together on it upside down. It'll look something like this....

I'll start putting the strongback together as soon as the last long panel is done. A couple of weeks from now maybe.

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Ahh, nice! Sounds like a nice kit if that's all included as well.

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

I thought I'd be smart this week and tried to glue and tape some seams both sides at once. Result was a disaster.

This is the bottom side. I had gooped a lot of epoxy on the tape but I don't think I had 'nuff weight on top to compress the panel so it'd squeeze the bubbles out. I also tried to do 4 joints like this at once! Doh! Anyhow I got to spend some quality time with my power planer, grinder and belt sander! *scratch scratch*

So after re-taping and gluing all 4 joints I got near perfect joints. These are simple butt joints but they're incredibly strong. All the ole' timers tell me you have to scarf those joints. *sigh* I cut a rebate (1'64") into the sheets where they'll be jointed so the fiberglass can lay down in there. When finished the joint is near perfectly smooth across it and will require only a light sanding to prep it for a secondary bond.

Live and learn. Slow and steady will win this race. ;-)

Feel free to carry doing whatever it was you were doing! ;-)

 

[Flutterby]

Ouch! Lesson learned without too much of a disaster!

 

[Capt. Bill1]

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Originally posted by KnottyBuoyz

That's it for now. Shower then off to the Flea Market to see what treasures I can find. ;-)

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Speaking of treasures, if you care to post a wish list of stuff you're looking for I for one, and I'm sure others, would be happy to keep an eye out and an ear open for stuff for you.

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

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Originally posted by Flutterby

Ouch! Lesson learned without too much of a disaster!

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Not too much Flutters. About $20 in materials and some scratching! [:-ashamed]

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

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Originally posted by Capt. Bill1

Speaking of treasures, if you care to post a wish list of stuff you're looking for I for one, and I'm sure others, would be happy to keep an eye out and an ear open for stuff for you.

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Thanks Bill I appreciate it. The list is still pretty long. Some stuff we won't need for another yer yet. Most of the lil' doodads & fittings etc. I've picked up over the last 4 yrs or so. I'll put some thought into that and see what I can come up with. I do have a list of what I've bought so far....

http://www.editgrid.com/user/knottybuoyz/Spent_To_Date

Anything on that list with a price filled in I have already.

It was getting a little warm in the shed so I had to bodge some ventilation in peak. $15 at Lowes!

And if that's not 'nuff to keep me cool & dry this lil' puppy will blow a hurricane through the shed! [:-bigeyes]

Back to the grinder tonight, Oh Joy! [:-boggled]

 

[Capt. Bill1]

quote:

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Originally posted by KnottyBuoyz

quote:

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Originally posted by Capt. Bill1

Speaking of treasures, if you care to post a wish list of stuff you're looking for I for one, and I'm sure others, would be happy to keep an eye out and an ear open for stuff for you.

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Thanks Bill I appreciate it. The list is still pretty long. Some stuff we won't need for another yer yet. Most of the lil' doodads & fittings etc. I've picked up over the last 4 yrs or so. I'll put some thought into that and see what I can come up with. I do have a list of what I've bought so far....

http://www.editgrid.com/user/knottybuoyz/Spent_To_Date

Anything on that list with a price filled in I have already.

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Looking at those lists I see a lot of stuff that can be found at the nautical consignment shops. I would start looking early because as you know that stuff comes and goes at those places.

I also have access to an OEM/wholesale account with a large marine electronics, electrical, safety and general marine gear distributor. So just let me know if there is anything you'd like me to get you a price on.

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

We have nothing like a marine consignment shop around here. It's pretty much the arse end of anything boatbuilding wise except I can get marine plywood pretty close. When I'm ready to outfit the boat with electronics I think we'll do it on a trip down south. Retail here on a decent chartplotter or VHF is double what it is in the US.

 

[BillK]

See Rick, another example of why I am amazed by this -- the fan you installed this week in the shed, I am sure you put that together without much effort or thought -- for me that would have been a major project! I swear I am making a trip to Canada before this is over to see the operation!

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

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Originally posted by BillK

See Rick, another example of why I am amazed by this -- the fan you installed this week in the shed, I am sure you put that together without much effort or thought -- for me that would have been a major project! I swear I am making a trip to Canada before this is over to see the operation!

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It took about 10 mins with scrap pieces sitting around the shed. You're welcome anytime, everybody's welcome. Wayne (Carver2557) said he was coming last weekend but never showed up. I promise not to make you work! ;-)

 

[Gregory S]

didn't show up. What a weiner!

 

[pdecat]

got to say that I too am surprised that butt, not scarfed, joints are ok.

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

I don't know why he didn't show up. His boat doesn't appear to be in the marina yet. Maybe he's having problems with it, I don't know.

It was hot in the ole' shed tonight. About 80 degs outside and well over 90 inside.

The heat shrink plastic sags quite a bit. I don't think it'll be a problem. It tightens right up when the temp drops to about 70 or so.

I had to flip one of the 32' side panels tonight. I made myself a trapeze thingy to help spread the lifting load over the whole panel. Makes flipping these things a breeze.

Then it was time to start cutting fiberglass. *scratch scratch* This is 33 oz/sq yd Vectorply triaxial fabric that I'm using on the bottom and sides of the boat. It's heavy stuff!! A 9oz satin weave will go over top to help smooth things out.

Supposed to be even warmer tomorrow! Shower time! *scratch scratch*

 

[Flutterby]

Bet that shower feels good....nice and cool!

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

I apologize for the terrible picture but I couldn't get it all in one frame. These are the side panels, all 32' 5" of them stacked neatly along the side of the shed. Yes the do protrude 5" beyond the end wall.

As I stood back and looked at these panels after an hour of wrestling them into position, I realized they're upside down and will have to be flipped before they can go on the strongback. Doh! Not an easy task in such a tight space.

The next long panel to get laid up is the keel bottom. Pretty simple and no need to get overly fancy with the taping job so I just buttered up the butt ends and slopped on the tape & glue. This part will get covered with a whole lot of fiberglass later on so cosmetics aren't an issue.

I wanted to do the sides of the keel but the shape is baffling me a bit with the hull extension. I think I'll have to figure out the extension when the keel sides are on the strongback. That'll be fun.

I was finished up work in the shed about 08:00 so I spent the next 3 hours polishing and shining the other assets in the fleet.

The Jeep is a bugger to wash, there's so much of it! Spent Friday night and yesterday in the IROC at the car club meet and just touring around so it's back to boat building today.

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

Finished up the long panels finally! Wohoo! They're all tucked away till they're needed. Next I have to turn my attention to the frames and bulkheads. These are gonna be fun puzzles to solve!

Some will be easier than others. I don't know which ones I can fully assemble and set aside and which ones I have to install in the boat once it's flipped. That'll take a little research.

About another 2 weeks and this thing might actually start looking like a boat!