New Design - 22' Powerboat - abuildin'

[mcdenny]

I'd been noodling out a more perfect (for me) power boat and posted the final design here last June:

http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?132762-New-design-22-runabout-what-do-you-think&highlight=

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1d833b3127ccefd0c1ee3095200000050O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

I finally got around to starting the lofting in July and got the wood & 6 gallons epoxy in mid-August. It has taken until now to get the frames, keelson and stem setup and glued together. Go slow now so you can go fast later is my new rule so I'm getting two coats of epoxy on everything and sanding with 220 before gluing the part into the boat.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1ce28b3127ccefe0773b6110600000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/


The frames and stringers are 7/8 Sassafras, keelson is a layer of the 7/8 Sassafras and a layer of 3/4 Meranti ply. The three bulkheads are 1/2 Meranti ply with a 1/4" layer of Sapele glued on to the show face. I wanted to use 3/4 Sapele ply but the stuff they had at Johnson Lumber was only 5 ply with paper thin Sapele faces and weighed a ton. The veneered bulkheads look nice but were a pain to make. I should have looked harder for decent Sapele plywood.

Next step will be to set up the curved, raked transom blank and project the hull shape onto it from bulkhead 9 and mold 10.

Sides will be 3/8 Meranti ply glued lapstrake, bottom will be cold molded of two layers of 3/8 Sassafras. Chine flats will be strip planked with 3/4 Sassafras. There's a lot of fairing to do before the planking starts though.

[Breakaway]

Very nice. I will be watching this one.

Kevin

[skaraborgcraft]

Nice to see it in frame, lovely entrance. A lot of work ahead but will be well worth it. Cheers

[spirit]

Wouldn't you do better with coarser sandpaper to give the epoxy more bite?

[W Grabow]

Please keep us up to date with pictures and commentary. You are doing beautifu work. I hope to profit from your ideas for my next build.

[mcdenny]

Here's an update though there is not much to show for 5 weeks (very part time) work.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1cf31b3127ccefec105e009ae00000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/
One side has the sheer clamp installed but not faired, the chine flat is finished. The other side has the chine flat strips glued on but not trimmed or sanded.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1cf31b3127ccefec1386bc89300000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Curved, raked transom is four layers of 1/4" cedar. A final layer of 1/4" Sapele will be applied after the planking is complete. The deck curve and "tombstone" cutout will be done after the Sapele is on.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1cf31b3127ccefec1db8a889b00000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/
A better picture of the chine flat. The inner edge is one full-length strip bent into place just like a batten to make a fair curve. The rest of the strips are shorter pieces scarf jointed together, the whole gooey mess clamped to the inner strip in one operation.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1cf31b3127ccefec0906e69be00000040O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/
Here is the strip scarfing jig I use with a chop saw. Well proven after the two 25' strip planked electric launches.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1cf31b3127ccefec03137a81f00000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/
And finally, the stack of bottom planking stock (3/8" Sassafras) sorted into wide, medium, narrow, 6', 7' 8' subsets. The computer says I need 220 sq ft and I have 310 sq ft so a little waste shouldn't be a problem.

Next step, afer finishing port side chine flat and sheer clamp will be to remove the temporary mold just in front of the transom and install the motor well. Then on to planking.

[mcdenny]

Another week and a half and I have 25% of the bottom planked, the first layer on one side.

A days work to cut, fit and screw down the planks makes a huge difference in the appearance - there is skin on the bones finally.

Another days work to disassemble, goop and reassemble the planks and the boat looks worse at the end of the day than at the start.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1cf01b3127ccefefda85a51e000000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

But the joyous third day - when the screws, clamps and blocks are gone and the hull is sanded to a smooth uniform surface. Damn, that hollow forefoot looks fine!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1cf01b3127ccefefdc63f51b200000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1cf01b3127ccefefc8721315800000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

This third day, where the almost final shape emerges from the clampy drippy screwy surface, is my favorite part of boat building.

Another course of 3/8 Sassafras will go on angled the opposite direction. That will bring the bottom flush with the edge of the chine flats.

[wizbang 13]

aw yea

[mcdenny]

First bottom layer, second side done.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1cc29b3127ccefe85e847119a00000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

I can just imagine the sharp forefoot cleaving the water.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1cc29b3127ccefe846b3ff04700000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Second bottom layer started.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1cc29b3127ccefe85620390ab00000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

[KylBak]

I love this boat! My next build will be something very similar to this... This thing is gonna be beautiful when its done! Keep up the good work.

[W Grabow]

Keep it up! I will be using you for inspiration and some guidance. Very nice work!

[Bob S]

Thanks for sharing your build. What are you using for adhesive?

[Tom Lathrop]

Denny, Do I detect a bit of down angle in that chine flat? Down angle relative to the aft bottom, that is.

[mcdenny]

Bob, Raka 127 resin with 350 non blushing hardener.

Tom, The chine flats are horizontal in the width direction but angle down a bit as they go aft. My hope is that they will act as trim tabs to hold the bow down as the hull gets up on plane. I don't think they will be immersed at all at planing speed.

This is my first experience at cold molding anything and it sure takes a long time. By the time the bottom is done I will have cut and fitted something like 120 pieces of wood. The pluses are though that it is 80 # lighter and $600 cheaper than using sheet ply plus I didn't have to have a developable shape.

[mcdenny]

Update - Bottom planking finished.

Post #6 above shows a picture of the 310 sq ft of planking stock I planed to make two layers on the 110 sq ft bottom. Well, the bottom is done and I have exactly 18 sq ft left over. The scrap estimate was 40% (it's a long way to the specialty lumber yard) and I needed almost all of it.

The inner layer was a lot easier to apply as it lays down relatively flat even at the bow. I used my widest stock (about 8") at the stern and needed to rip 2 1/2" wide strips to take the curve as I got up to the bow. The outer layer shown below curves a lot more. I went from 8 to 6 to 4 to 2 1/2 to 1 1/4" wide strips to get them to lay (sorta) fair. My trusty Makita belt sander with 40 grit made short work of the initial fairing pass.


http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1cc09b3127ccefeac45ef619c00000040O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1cc09b3127ccefead422a018e00000040O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

On to fairing the sides and scarfing up a pair of 24' x 4' panels.

The Freeship panel expansion says I can get all seven strakes from one 4' width - barely. I'm going to make a 4" x 24' long spiling batten from 3/8 fir ply to pick up the plank shapes at the frame notches.

[Breakaway]

Nice. WIll a ply batten bend properly for a lining batten? Doesnt it need to bend in two directions and /or twist a bit? Mind you, I have never lined off planks--just asking.

Kevin

[jsjpd1]

Looks good so far Denny! Thanks for sharing!

Jim

[Tom Lathrop]

We have a treat here on the forum. Two builders of somewhat similar boats working from very different perspectives. Erster is building strictly from the seat-of-his-pants school and his long experience and Denny is working with computer modeling and the "full design before starting work" school. Mike lofts in place by eye (he doesn't even call it lofting, but that is what the result is) and Denny works from a fully lofted plan before frames or bulkheads are cut. Both build very good boats with craftsmanship that is the envy of most. I hope we are all following both builds. Mike knows what the end result will look like and adds pieces until it gets there and he has not a single piece of paper to show anyone what the boat will be. Denny knows that if he adds the pieces called for in his detailed plan that the end result will be what his plan called for.

http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?139437-Downeast-Carolina-hybrid-style-fishing-hull.&highlight=erster

For those who think that there is only one way to do things, this should be an education. Good on you and I look forward to seeing and maybe riding in both boats.

[mcdenny]

Breakaway, the planking lines were defined in the lofting and notches cut into the frames accordingly. With the sheer line and the chine line faired, I divided the vertical distance between chine and sheer at each frame into seven equal parts. My intent is that the strake lines flow smoothly with the chine and sheer. The ply batten ( and obviously the planks themselves) will have some twist, a good bit at the sheer plank and not hardly any at the chine plank. Nothing like a complete lapstrake hull though where the bottom planks must twist 90 degrees to meet the stem.

Tom, I've been following Mike's thread with a lot of interest for just the reasons you suggest. I admire his work a lot (and you're too, from which I stole the idea for chine flats) and would love to get together with you and him when our boats are done. I bet WoodenBoat would do a comparison test of mine, Mike's and your BJ24. Just like when car magazines test a Camry, Malibu and Accord side by side.

[mcdenny]

Next step is planking the sides. The plank shape is picked up by clamping two 3/8" x 3/4" battens on the frames to represent the upper and lower edge of the plank. The shape is locked in with a web of diagonal cross braces hot glued to the battens. The pattern is pretty fragile buts works well to transfer the exact shape.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2df22b3127cceff534c58f72900000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Detail of the cross bracing and "L" shaped wooden clamps holding the battens to the frames:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2df22b3127cceff5385f9364400000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Then the strake pattern is laid on the two layers of 3/8" Meranti ply scarfed into 4' x 24' sheets:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2df22b3127cceff520dba973f00000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

A pair of planks are cut out with a jig saw, trimmed with a plane, edges are eased with some sand paper and the plank tried on the hull:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2df22b3127cceff533a4a763000000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

The "L" clamps, and a couple of "C" clamps, are used to hold the plank against the frames.

So far so good - six more pairs of planks to go.

[W Grabow]

I am impressed. It is going to be beautiful.

[erster]

I missed these updates. Thats a lot of work that you have done. The amount of room also makes many envious to jealous. In lapplanking once you have the general shape of the planking, its just a matter of taking that and extending the length from the maximum run of the previous shorter one. There is some play still in that length of run. So you should be able to move along a bit quicker now. It must be fun handling that long and flemsy pattern frame. Thanks for the words too. My work is almost stuck in the mud right now with some change of direction in a different area and project. But with the temps moderating hopefully later this week, the two projects will get my attention. Gotta work off all those cookies and cakes from the past two weeks that have bogged me down too....Burp......

[mcdenny]

Mike,

The pattern is real floppy and the battens by themselves are like picking up a wet noodle.

Hope to see some new pics of your project soon, after all only six more months until summer.

[brad9798]

AWESOME!!! Keep it up brother!

Brad

[Breakaway]

Ore-ess-ome!
Love that L-clamp.

Kevin

[Figment]

Then the strake pattern is laid on the two layers of 3/8" Meranti ply scarfed into 4' x 24' sheets:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2df22b3127cceff520dba973f00000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/


(I get why you pre-scarf the ply sheets. Makes all the sense in the world in terms of workability and time efficiency. It did, however, prompt this thought)

Might there be a concern that all of the scarfs will pretty much line up on the boat instead of being staggered or offset a bit?
I know this isn't carvel construction, totally apples and oranges, still I wonder.
Is it a non-issue because the strength is in the continuity of the laps?

[Tom Lathrop]

Figment,

You can flip adjacent strakes fore and aft and that will insure that scarfs are not next to each other. Also, the varied length of the strakes allows for some scarf staqgering. The bigger problem with pre-scarfed sheets for lapstrake building on a boat with much shape to the hull is that it can waste a lot of wood. Besides, good scarfs can be just as strong as the plywood.

[P.L.Lenihan]

Might there be a concern that all of the scarfs will pretty much line up on the boat instead of being staggered or offset a bit?



It is a brilliant means of showing off ones' confidence in epoxy.Either you trust it or ya doesn't.....no half measures allowed. :D


Lovely design mcdenny and a great build thread! Looking forward to following your progress throughout the winter!!




Cheers!


Peter


P.S. Nice shop too!!

[mcdenny]

Tom, The Freeship panel expansion shows that all seven strikes can come out of a 4 x 23.5' sheet. We will see...

Figment, The bottom strake is about 8" less than 23.5' so the scarfs can be staggered a bit, as Tom said above. I think the scarf is just as strong as the rest of the ply but it just looks wrong if the joints line up. The inside will most likely be varnished so the joints will show here and there.

Peter, You live even further north than I do so will certainly understand why we are on our way to Florida for a couple of months and therefore no more updates until March.

[P.L.Lenihan]

Thanks for the warning but I'll never understand why folks head South like that every winter. We aren't geese,ya know :D:D

Have a wonderful warm time down South and I'll look forward to your safe return to this wonderful build thread.


Cheers!


Peter

[shade of knucklehead]

Can I ask where you got sassafras? I still have quite a pile of it in flitches, but its not a commonly used wood. The main problem we have around here is the trees are not growing straight, they are mostly curly looking things in the swamp.

I love working with it though, I built my entire bathroom in our old house out of it. Including making all new trim to match the other trim in the house. It was a hundred year old house with that beautiful trim that people don't use anymore.

[mcdenny]

Sorry for the delay responding but I just got back into Internet-land.

Sassafras is available at a couple of lumberyards here in SE Michigan, less than $3.00 / bd ft in wide clear pieces. Seems to me an excellent boat building wood, rot resistant, light weight, good machining characteristics, looks just like oak under varnish.

I get it at L. L. Johnson's in Charlotte, MI. I believe they will ship it to you.

Maybe it's called something else on the east coast?

[shade of knucklehead]

Nope, its sassafras. Its just hard to get here anymore. We used to use it (when my grandfather was running the shop) but have got away from it because we can't get it locally.

[mcdenny]

I'm back after a couple of months in Florida avoiding a Michigan winter that was strangely absent this year.

Here's a couple of pictures of the third strake being stuck onto the hull.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2dd01b3127ccefffc6264b6b300000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2dd01b3127ccefffdd78f57e600000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

The home-made clothespin clamps from the Arctic Tern are getting used again here.

Thats the strake for the other side laying in the foreground of the first picture. It's sooo much easier to epoxy, sand, epoxy, scrape and sand on the flat bench than after it's on the hull and gravity is no longer my friend. It does slow down the progress though as the epoxy cure period means the fastest you can go is one pair of strakes each five days.

[ulav8r]

I've only had experience with living sassafrass, but the limbs are very brittle. They will snap off with little effort. I would have been leery of using sassafrass in this application. Do anyone know of successful use of it for this type of application?

[shade of knucklehead]

What application?

Its been used in boatbuilding.

[ulav8r]

The application used in this thread, boat building. As brittle as the live limbs are, I would expect the lumber to be a poor choice in a spot that might be subject pounding from waves, floating objects, or unseen rocks or sand bars.

[Breakaway]

SASSAFRAS
Sassafras albidum
Common Names
Black Ash, Golden Elm, Cinnamon Wood, Common Sassafras, File-Gumbo, Red Sassafras, Sassafrasso, Saxifrax, , Smelling-Stick, Wah-en-nah-kas, White Sassafras

History
Essential oil distilled from the root-bark or the fruit is used to make safrole, tea and as a fragrance in perfumes and soaps, food and for aromatherapy. The shoots are used to make root beer, which owes its characteristic odor to the sassafras extract. The leaves are used for thickening sauces and soups, and when dried and ground are known as filé powder, a spice used in Cajun, Creole, and other Louisiana cooking, such as the dish filé gumbo.

Did You Know?
Sir Walter Raleigh took sassafras back to England from Virginia. In what were called the Great Sassafras Hunts from 1602-1603, ships were sent from England to collect the roots. Sassafras roots then were converted into a tonic that smelled like root beer and supposedly kept its drinkers youthful and healthy. Sassafras was also used as dye to give fabric an orange tint.

Distribution
Sassafras is native to North America from Maine through Ontario, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, and Kansas, to Florida and Texas. Average tree height is 30' to 60'

Main Uses
The wood of sassafras is used in the manufacture of furniture, interior and exterior joinery, windows, doors and door frames , kitchen cabinets and paneling. It is a preferred wood used in boat building and fence posts.

Relative Abundance
Together, aspen, basswood, cottonwood, elm, gum, hackberry, sassafras, sycamore and willow represent 12.5 percent of commercially available U.S. hardwoods.

General Description
Sassafras heartwood is pale brown to orange brown, resembling ash or chestnut. The narrow sapwood is yellowish white. The wood has a coarse texture and is generally straight grained. Well known as an aromatic species.
Sassafras is very resistant to heartwood decay, in exposed damp conditions however, the sapwood is liable to attack by powder post beetle.

Availability
Extremely Limited.

[mcdenny]

Thanks for the scientific reference.

Sassafras is very nice to work with, smells good, and is half the price of clear Doug Fir here in Michigan.

The battens I'm using to take the plank shapes are 3/8 x 3/4 sassafras, spliced to 25' length. They have been flipped and flopped around a lot in the planking process and are very limber, not brittle at all.

PS, whiskey plank is coming soon, hopefully next week. I'll post some pics when the planking is complete. So far I've got about 700 hours into the build.

[skaraborgcraft]

Nice one Denny,keep at it. Cheers

[mcdenny]

Finally finished the planking. My pair of 4 x 24 scarfed together sheets were just enough, only had a couple of inches of scrap left over. The panel expansions in Freeship predicted this but I was sceptical.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2da11b3127cceffa8c90c5aa600000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2da11b3127cceffa868ff9bad00000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Each strake has two coats of epoxy sanded to 120 on both sides. A lot easier to do it flat on the bench than chasing the inevitable runs from epoxy coating vertical surfaces. Slow going, though, as each pair of planks took almost a week to cut, finish and install. The two batten, hot glued stick method (see post #20) to pick up the strake patterns worked great. Much easier than making luaun patterns for each strake as I did on the Arctic Tern.

On to laminating a 1/4" layer of Sapele to the transom today.

[Figment]

Slow going?
If one subscribes to the "perfection IS speed" school of thought, you're zooming.
I love it.

[mcdenny]

The boat building progress had been pitifully slow of late but I can show you the final layer of 1/4" Sapele laminated onto the transom. The grain match is not that great but it is better than it looks in this flash photo. I saved the better stock for the deck.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2d824b3127ccef01f8f8c30ea00000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

I've also got the outer stem and keel on and about half of the epoxy fillet sanded smooth (kinda). My son is visiting this week so I'm hoping to get the xynole on the bottom with his help.

Here's why the boat progress is so slow.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2dd00b3127cceffff4d800f8800000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/
We got a little travel trailer 3 weeks ago and of course, even though it's brand new, I have to redo the electrical system, rebuild the beds and add a closet. The boat is pretty much on hold until I get the trailer done.

[freshtrax]

I love this boat. I think it would make an awesome great lakes boat for down riggin for trout and salmon. How much hp are you planning on punning on her?

[mcdenny]

It is for the Great Lakes, at least for the St Clair river part. She will have a 60 hp Evinrude ETEC engine. Since it is a two cyl design the power head is relatively low and will fit entirely under the flush aft deck. 60 hp should give about 30 mph at WOT.

Someone here posted data recently about his Atkin Ninigret, very similar in size and shape to my boat and about 300 lbs heavier. He reported 32 mph with the 60 hp ETEC.

Denny Wolfe

[skaraborgcraft]

Looking good Denny,transom looks fine.Keep at it. Cheers

[P.L.Lenihan]

Glad to see the fine work done so far,Denny. At the rate you plow through the boat work, the trailer must be all done by now surely. Looking forward to your return toward the work left on the boat.



Cheers!

Peter

[mcdenny]

Thanks, Peter, but building cabinets in the trailer is a lot like fitting the interior in a boat, everything but the floor curves in three dimensions and it's only sorta symmetrical. Bottom line, it seems to take forever to make much apparent progress. Sadly the boat has become a shelf to pile trailer crap on.

Denny Wolfe

[P.L.Lenihan]

Fair enough Denny. I've no doubt your thread followers will be patient and eagerly await the sweet conclusion to this fine boat. Good luck with the trailer!


Cheers!



Peter

[LakeErieSailor]

Hi, Denny

Very interesting boat and very nice work. Since you mentioned Lake St. Clair, I'm assuming you're somewhere north of Detroit (I grew up in the former East Detroit, now laughingly called "East Pointe"), but I'm down here in the southeast corner of the state, in Monroe, renovating a Folkboat.

Your trailer interests me; could you tell me who the manufacturer is, dimensions, and most important to the female of the combo, if it has a head?

Thanks.

[mcdenny]

LES, I'm 50 miles NE of Detroit in Marine City on the St Clair River. The trailer is a Lil Snoozy ( I know, what a dumb name) http://www.lilsnoozy.com/. That link has all the info.

It does have a tiny bathroom, where the toilet takes a shower along with you.

Here is a fiberglass trailer forum with lots of relevant info: http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/

BTW: there is a fiberglass trailer rally scheduled for the weekend after Labor Day in Algonac State Park with at least a dozen similer trailers planning to attend. Only 1.5 hours from Monroe if you want to check them out. Check the thread on fiberglassrv.com

[mcdenny]

It's been three months but finally the trailer and other honeydo projects are out of the way and I can get back to the boat.

Put down Xynole on half the bottom yesterday:


http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2d637b3127ccef0b4a0f87a2c00000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/


http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2d637b3127ccef0b4b1fdbb8900000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2d637b3127ccef0b5036d1a3c00000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Xynole is so soft and pliable - way easier to lay over a curved surface than fiberglass.

3 hours and 5 quarts of epoxy later:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2d637b3127ccef0b59c745af200000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/



http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2d637b3127ccef0b501239b4300000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

continued...

[mcdenny]

Six hours later the cure state was just right (Raka 127/350 at about 80 degrees F) to trim the excess cloth with a razor blade:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2d637b3127ccef0b45b4abb4b00000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/






http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2d637b3127ccef0b463233a0e00000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/



http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2d637b3127ccef0b5f95f9b4300000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

A little touch up sanding on the keel edge of the cloth and on to covering the other side.

[skaraborgcraft]

Looking good. Is there much difference between xynole and dynel for the purpose of sheathing?

[wizbang 13]

I have used both , can't tell the difference.both are amazing

[mcdenny]

I've not tried Dynel but I think they are pretty similar too.

[skaraborgcraft]

Thanks Whizz and Denny,I have been meaning to place an order with Jamestown Dist. as its not availiable in europe. Still undecided as the amount of epoxy it soaks up, may outweigh its abrasion resitance quality in favour of a lightwight glass cloth, for a boat launched and recovered on a trailer,not being dragged over rocks.

[mcdenny]

Tom Lathrop's data shows 0.36 lbs of epoxy per square foot of 4 oz Xynole cloth. That's the stick-it-down coat plus two fill coats. That's a lot of epoxy but I think that's why the abrasion resistance is so good.

Denny Wolfe

[mcdenny]

Another months progress:

Two coats Interlux epoxy prime kote, one coat pre-kote, first coat Brightsides ocean blue on bottom, one coat primekkote, one coat prekote, one coat brightsides black on sides:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2d734b3127ccef14ba934ee0700000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2d734b3127ccef14be532ee2700000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/


The bottom (when floating) edge of the boot stripe is the Freeship predicted waterline. The top edge is the waterline 2 1/4 inches deeper from the transom to amidships, then gradually trending to 3" at the stem. I'm trying this instead of the usual method as the stripe is vertical on the aft side strake and very forward bow but at a very shallow angle in the middle of the boat. This looks weird now looking down on the inverted hull but will give the right appearance looking at the boat horizontally, like when its floating some distance away.

This pic shows it at its weirdest, the stripe is about a foot wide where it transitions across the chine flat:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2d734b3127ccef14ab17d4f3e00000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

I was going to use my cheezy laser level and a camera tripod to mark the lines but that was turning out to be a huge hassle so I made a marking jig that let me mark waterlines a fixed distance up from the top of the ladder frame. It worked fine and was ultra simple to do.

Here's the jig on the ladder frame:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2d734b3127ccef14b55fceeb100000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

And the top of the jig being used to mark the water line:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2d734b3127ccef14b4aafae7500000030O10AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D1/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

I went around marking one line, then cut 2 1/4" off the stick and went around again marking the second line.

The bottom 4' level is just being used as a rigid straight edge, the top 2' level is held level to make the mark on the hull. Eyeballing the bubble's "centeredness" certainly creates some variation but you can fiddle with the masking tape a bit to get a smooth looking line and this is definitely a place where the 'if it looks right, it is right' rule applies.

On to more sanding and two more coats of finish color, then the big roll-over.

[skaraborgcraft]

Looking good Denny. Looks like you will defo need a pair of sunglasses when she gets rolled out the shed!

[Tom Lathrop]

Looking really good Denny. Hope I get to take a ride in it.

[johnw]

handsome boat!

[andrewpatrol]

That paint job looks shmick, well done

[mcdenny]

Good thing you all can't see the dust in the gloss. Today I'm going to switch to wet sanding and paint fresh from a new can.

Denny Wolfe

[W Grabow]

Keep up the posts! Great boat and helpful ideas to use for my own project.

[mcdenny]

Finally Flipped!

After a month away I got back to painting the boot stripe and fitting bunks on the used aluminum trailer I got via craigslist last spring. This morning was the big flip.

Here's the boat ready to turn over:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2ce07b3127ccef121e5fb34ae00000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/


Here's the structure I built to let me lift the boat from an eye in the ceiling and then rotate the hull 180 degrees: You can't see the forward attachment but it is bolted to the motor board through the holes that will ultimately take the outboard's mounting bolts.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2ce07b3127ccef121ab3c344e00000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/


Half way there:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2ce07b3127ccef1206f8b95e700000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2ce07b3127ccef1209e39d5b500000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

The white rope you can just see at the bottom of the picture wraps around the hull and is led through an eye on the other wall of the shop. The boats CG is above the pivot axis so it wants to flop over as soon as it is lifted up. The rope restrains that and the boat slowly rotates as the rope is payed out.

Ta da!
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2ce07b3127ccef1204bc595bb00000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Next I'll slide the trailer under her and adjust the bunks. Normally I wouldn't put the boat on the trailer until it is almost done as it is easier to climb in and out if it is sitting lower on the floor. In this case I want to get the trailer out of the yard and be able to move the boat out of the shop temporarily if the need arises.

After that its lots more sanding to clean up the epoxy drips, globs, etc and get the interior bottom ready for epoxy and paint and the interior sides ready for varnish.

So far 784 hours, maybe half done. I'm glad this is fun as I'll probably not run the boat 1500 hours in my lifetime.

[AndrewT]

Looking good, Denny. We tried something similar to your Rube Goldberg rope contraption when flipping the hull on our 15' Macomber Skiff. Ended up dislocating my wife's thumb. From now on, I use machinery or lots of big dudes and beer and swearing.

I haven't forgotten about your CAD project, but the wife and I decided to sell the house and build anew, which has my priorities out of whack. Will touch base with you about it another time.

[mcdenny]

Another update - detailing the table that magically rises out of the sole.

We often have a picnic dinner while putting down the river. Currently I have a 16" x 48" folding Formica/ aluminum table meant for an RV. It works OK but is kind of a pain to set-up and put away. My inner McGuyver dictated my new design have a table that rises from the floor and retracts with the flip of a switch. Here's a 15 sec video of the final result:

http://youtu.be/AF9Qga-2Jfk (http://youtu.be/AF9Qga-2Jfk)

The drive mechanism is a 2000# (smallest available) ATV winch on sale at Harbor Freight $59, including wiring harness and switch. The slides are epoxy coated drawer slides.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2cc25b3127ccef19c60426d5400000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/


http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2cc25b3127ccef19c981fec4500000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/


http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2cc25b3127ccef19d659d8c6d00000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

Denny Wolfe

[Breakaway]

Excellent!

[Figment]

I love this more every time I read this thread!

[mcdenny]

Since I got the table working I'm on to the cockpit sole.

Picking up the shape with sticks hot glued to a batten:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2cc24b3127ccef19e2957f4e100000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

Laying out shape onto 3/8 Meranti plywood:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2cc24b3127ccef19fd0a2158c00000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

Finished panel:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2cc24b3127ccef19ee2fb358000000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

Trial fit:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2cc24b3127ccef19fb4ad948100000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

The plywood will receive a layer of 3/16" thick Garapa veneer with fake caulking lines later in the project. Right now I can walk on the plywood and not have to worry about dripping anything on the fancy Garapa. Here's what the finished product will look like. This is a picture on the second Harmony 25 but I used the same construction method for her seats and floor boards. The Garapa looks blotchy because I had just washed it and there are still wet and dry areas.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2cc24b3127ccef19f7a6f151400000030O00AZM2rdm3ct2 IPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

[LivingTheDream]

I just saw this thread and am very impressed (and also a lot jealous!)

I expect to see it driving by the cottage next summer! I am near Mt Clemens and spend weekends on Harsens Island off the south channel.

If you EVER need a hand, or wouldn't mind an able bodied helper, don't hesitate to call.

Keep up the fine work,

Steve

[mcdenny]

Steve, we often go down the South Channel a bit, cut through between Harsons and Russell Is and head home. I don't know if the new boat will be done next summer or in 2014. In spite of global warming it's gotten too damn cold to stay here in the winter so boat building will soon end until spring.

Denny Wolfe

[XJSKINS]

My eyes are learning much from what you have/will be doing - thank you for posting.

This is the first thread I have seen that detailed the chin flats. Is there a particular reason for strip planking these? structure? ease of building? economy of wood? why not plywood?

If you could also give a coles notes version of the function of chine flats, it would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Rick

[mcdenny]

I strip planked the chine flats because there is very little waste compared to ply and the sassafras is much nicer to work with, not to mention lighter and cheaper.

The chine flats act as a spray deflector and replace a separate outer chine log. They also reduce displacement a bit for a given draft. A light weight V hull can be so light it floats at rest with the chines above the water making it tippy feeling (tender). It just would look wrong too.

You want a deep V for smooth riding at speed but a shallow V so the chines are immersed at rest. The chine flats are kind of combination of a narrower deeper V with a little flat bottom thrown in. They also are angled up slightly (6 degrees if I remember correctly) so they act as trim tabs helping to hold the bow down at slower planing speeds.

If you look at Tom Lathrop's Bluejacket website you will get a better explanation of light weight planing hull design. I mostly used (stole) his ideas in designing the bottom of this boat.

Denny Wolfe

[XJSKINS]

Thanks, makes sense. I checked out the bluejacket site...well...funny how a little bit of knowledge leads to more questions. My education continues

Cheers
Rick