Building Speculation Part 3

[Vernon Hunt]

I haven't had the chance to post updates for awhile. Holidays, work, and other family activities. But, of coarse I have been doing lotsa boat things in between. The seats are finished and being varnished. The spray rail and rub rail are finished. The rudder has been hung. Plus, this past weekend we pulled the boat out from under the carport to test fit the mast. Still in the final stages off making the finished mast step. I hope to have that done by the end off the week. If my workload will let me.:eek:

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid223/p6006ba0dc7eca0e77ad611bd8af5689d/eadd5f14.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid223/pf8797f9a10eef5e7c3b74b0ec65365ef/eadd5f13.jpg

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http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid223/pd8832d8fdbc07fdfd7a3cfaf30ff966b/eadd5f12.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid223/p4d70733f763f1ee45857818902d32643/eadd5e45.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid223/p771b912513feedf2f3f84ab103031c22/eadd5e27.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid223/p8cecca102c05be7e17fc3a7e5ab45957/eadd5e1e.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid223/p398496f3680fa8df28bda2b7d6ebe047/eadd5e1b.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid223/pf4c39e656d40776665c1561de807f28a/eadd5db1.jpg

[mcdenny]

Lookin' good. Sailing photos next?

[Vernon Hunt]

Still a lot to do. But, with any luck at all Maybe April or May I can float this beauty.

[Lazy Jack]

Looks great. Congratulations. Looks like a lot of rudder trail...may be a heavy helm!

[pipefitter]

Looking great Vernon. What with and how did you make the mast?

[Vernon Hunt]

It may have a heavy helm, but it will keep me from tipping over in a quick turn. We'll see how it reacts?
I got the mast from a nice fella in Maine (FREE) It was from a Celebrity Class 19' sailboat. I had to strip it and refinish, but it is gonna be workable. Got the boom as well! It's all spruce and weighs less than aluminum.

[John B]

Getting close eh Vern.
I was looking at the near opposite philosophy in a similar sized boat on the weekend . Its a 1940's 18 ft racer built as a rule cheater I guess and with a scow bow and bowsprit. ( 1949 world champion 18ftr)
Big powerful sections, giant sail area.. polar opposite to your slippery looking babe.
Fantastic in its own way of course.

[davidagage]

Vernon, thank you for the updates, Speculation is looking great!!!If I were a betting man I would wager it to be wet before April.

[paladin]

Nice!!!!:D

[Vernon Hunt]

Thanks to all you fellas for the positive comments. I 've been working on this project for 1 year now, and without the input and encouragement I would have not been able to keep up the rapid pace on this project. I hope it will be a worthy craft that will be as fun to sail as it has been to build.:cool:

[Vernon Hunt]

norseman,
Thanks! It is looking very sexy;) .... but I have to say your boat is really looking great.:cool: We spend so much time on these projects and can only hope all the work will pay off. Makes me feel good when builders like yourself make positive comments. Due to the recent storms here in Florida my progress has slowed.:eek: I can only stay inside and varnish. Still better than no progress at all.

[outofthenorm]

Outstanding Verne. That's about as sweet and slippery as they get. - Norm

[Vernon Hunt]

Norm,
Thanks for the very nice compliment. When I got the plans for this boat I knew I had to build it. William Atkin had an eye for good design.;)

[katiedobe]

I am amazed at your abilities. Fantastic work Vernon!!!!
Have you got the sails made yet or are you waiting for it to be fully rigged and positioned so the sailmaker can take measurements of the rig and build a sail to fit exactly? That is what I did for my boat before I left portland, I took my boat to his shop and stepped and tuned the mast and he took measurments and built me a jib and main that just makes her sail wonderfully. Much better than the set that came with the boat.

She is going to fly!! Thanks for sharing all the work with us.

[Vernon Hunt]

Jimmy,

Once the standing rigging is done and the boom has been attached I will then make up a set of sails. If only to test the rig. Once the sails are tested and adjusted a professional set of sails will be ordered.

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

Jimmy,

Once the standing rigging is done and the boom has been attached I will then make up a set of sails. If only to test the rig. Once the sails are tested and adjusted a professional set of sails will be ordered.

If you are going to use a profesional sailmaker may I sugest Gambell & Hunter.

http://www.gambellandhunter.com/

Excelent work.

[Vernon Hunt]

Rune,
You have made my day!! After this past weekend of trying to get something done ( hard to get the strength ) I get such kind words. Thankyou.

Joe,
It means alot to get positive feedback from you. I gotta say THANKYOU! I'm really stunned at the wonderful people here on the WBF. Wait till you guys see the latest progress... more varnished wood and details galore.

[katiedobe]

Waiting for the photos Vernon. Or do you prefer Vern?

[Vernon Hunt]

I haven't made as much progress these last few weeks as I had hoped. But still after todays photo session it looks like I have done a few things. Finished the mast step and box. Finished the rudder tiller cap and tiller. Finished the rear cockpit trim. Now, on to the standing rigging. That light colored piece off wood between the mast and centerboard box is just temporary.

Jimmy,
You can call me anything you like , just don't call me late for dinner or beer.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p682b3bafcedd0f170f39b0b2a0fbb321/ea710b14.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pcfbc56090fb1694427fc3e733b67bd61/ea710b17.jpg

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http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p380ae8b2f0df8135d40e7db66f0cb747/ea710b15.jpg

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http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p347032eba99a290c74722a107d7aca50/ea710a67.jpg

[John B]

sweet!
Vern, I've just spent two days at the Nelson lakes antique boat show surrounded by people who just get buzzed by the kind of boats( and cars and bikes) we all love here. Being boatless so far from home left me wondering what I'd like to have and although my thoughts did wander with the type of boat I happended to be looking at at the time I couldn't help but think several times something like 'ooo, Verns boat ..., with a big rig option for the light.. yup, that would be sooooo good'.:D
she would have won the sailing for sure.:cool:

thread started over in misc boat if you're interested.. I'll be adding photos over the next few days.

[stumpbumper]

She really looks good. Great work, Vern!!

Lynn

[katiedobe]

Nice work Vern!

How fast do you think she will sail?
Are you getting just a wee bit scared yet?
I am just looking at her. All slim, and lightweight, and ... suicidal.

I just got back home here to Mexico and just cleaned out the shop so I can finally finish off the QE 16 I started last April. Thanks for motivating me with your fine example.

[Dan Payne]

Forget the lifejacket! You need airbags! WOW, she looks fast!

[Vernon Hunt]

John,Lynn,Jimmy,and Dan,
Thanks for the compliments! You guys make my day whenever you write. The antique boat show looks great, John. I hope this beauty will surprise me with its speed, and doesn't scare the pants off me. There is still lots to do, along with work and fixing the house. I'm getting excited about finding a trailer and getting the standing rigging accomplished. It takes real commitment to build anything from scratch, and plenty of money and time. Luckily I've got a family that has helped and the good folks on the WBF rooting me on. Thanks!

[Vernon Hunt]

My helpers and me finally got the standing rigging done. We have had to build a fence around our property.... that took 3 weekends. Because of this the boat had to wait. But, as the pics show it looks good. The mast has become one with the hull. Now, on to refinishing the boom.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p46c2f12f0a0f46a9c6fb26caca443cb7/e9fe45fd.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p5341a3ca1a64d51d42f7f8d371619259/e9fe4604.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pd2ace7a7a712928097fdb90befb837bb/e9fe4601.jpg

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http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p9562566c4daa60c75201fbcfa0b77da4/e9fe4575.jpg

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http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pdc45cc4bfb43588967fb0ca2c91f1ff0/e9fe4515.jpg

[peb]

Beautiful boat. Your doing a fabulous job.

If looks like you used mechanical terminals with eyes on the shrouds. Why not use a mechanical terminal that is just a stud that goes directly into the turnbuckel. Lot less HW for lines and sails to snag on.

Also, it looks like the the chain plate coming through the deck is an eye of some type and the bottom toggle on the turnbuckle is binding on it. Probably not a concern on a boat this size.

[pipefitter]

I was starting to wonder what became of your project,Vern. Figured you to be out giving it a go with the abundance of windy weekends we have been having as of late.I know this because the weather has been challenging every time I dare venture out when time allows. Looks great.

[Vernon Hunt]

peb,

From what I understand the fancy one piece turnbuckle is not available in 1/8" wire. I searched the item for awhile and it is only available for bigger wire sizes. Thats why I did it the way I did. The eyes are a bit bindy, but with some cleaning up there should be no problem.
Thanks for your kind words about the build.

[Vernon Hunt]

pipefitter,

We've been busy with family stuff and I've been working constantly. I wish it was finished for this great Spring weather. Slow and steady is my pace at the moment. Thanks for the response!

[peb]

peb,

From what I understand the fancy one piece turnbuckle is not available in 1/8" wire. I searched the item for awhile and it is only available for bigger wire sizes. Thats why I did it the way I did. The eyes are a bit bindy, but with some cleaning up there should be no problem.
Thanks for your kind words about the build.

Not the turnbuckle that is wrong, the mechanical terminal on the wire rope. Use one that goes is a simple stud that will match your turnbuckle. But, since it is done, I wouldn't change it unless it causes problems.



Norseman Swageless Stud - 1/8 In. Wire / 1/4 In. Thread


http://www.pyacht.net/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/h-norseman_studs.htm?L+scstore+ptbf9236ff2e042e+1176 203766


Again, just a cleaner approach. If you did decide to change them out, the turnbuckles you have may work (if they are 1/4"), but you may need to buy long stud terminals.

[katiedobe]

Vern I Love it!!


Thanks for the link Peb. And you got a great eye to notice the turnbuckle and eye bolt thing. I had to zoom way in to see it.

Just a little bit more and you will be off and sailing, or should I say Planing.

[Garth Jones]

Once again, a beautiful boat. I'm looking forward to seeing it tearing across the water. Slow and steady at this stage shows great control! When my boat was about where yours is now, I just wanted to zip through the last stuff and get it on the water. I managed to contain myself, mosty thanks to the weather.

Cheers,
Garth

[Vernon Hunt]

Garth,
Thanks for positive comments. I to would like to get this boat on the water, but the last little details are taking forever. I have 3 kids to keep busy as well as a wife that has different ideas for my time and money. The weather has alot too say.... suppose to rain everyday this week. But, in the end it will be worth the wait.

Jimmy,

Thanks for the very kind comment. For my first boat it's not bad, but I'm learning with every step.

[StevenBauer]

Can't wait for the on-the-water shots. She's a beauty.

Steven

[katiedobe]

Vern,

Anymore pictures or tales of progress on Speculation? Or did you launch her and have been so busy sailing you have not turned your computer on?
Let us know how she has turned out.
Thanks

[davidagage]

Vernon hasn't logged on since January 8th. Anybodu heard from him?
Vern, are ya out there?!!!
Howz Speculation!?

[StevenBauer]

How close is he to you, David? Maybe you have to track him down and take some pictures of Speculation sailing for us. :D


Steven

[katiedobe]

OK just bumping this thread up to see if he ever finished this boat and posted photos. Thanks. Man have I been away from the forum for a long time.