Launched it!

[PaulT]

Launched my newly completed GA Boats Classic12 yesterday. It was a super fall day here and perfect for a nice row up the lake. Initial lake trials went about 2 miles.
I'll post more pics as soon as I get them organized in photobucket. Rather disorganized right now.
The boat was built according to Platt's designs except for type of wood used in various places and I added two additional floor boards.
It rows nicely with seven foot oars and seems very stable. I took a couple of powerboat wakes broadside to see what it would do and there seemed to be no drama.
All in all it's been a fun build and fun to be able to pick it up and put it in the water without help or struggle.

<img src="http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa24/second_floor_loft/gaboat%20classic12/PICT0294.jpg">
<img src="http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa24/second_floor_loft/gaboat%20classic12/PICT0289.jpg">

[mizzenman]

Use the little yellow button;)http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa24/second_floor_loft/gaboat%20classic12/PICT0294.jpg

[PaulT]

Thanks mizzenman.

PaulT

[MiddleAgesMan]

Great looking boat, PaulT, and she's floating right where you'd want her.

[Woxbox]

Very nice.

[elf]

Boy, is she pretty! Congrats.

[PaulT]

Okay, I think I have it..second photo try.

A few details.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa24/second_floor_loft/gaboat%20classic12/PICT0360.jpg

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa24/second_floor_loft/gaboat%20classic12/PICT0357.jpg

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa24/second_floor_loft/gaboat%20classic12/PICT0057.jpg

[PaulT]

Last few pics.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa24/second_floor_loft/gaboat%20classic12/PICT0062.jpg

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa24/second_floor_loft/gaboat%20classic12/PICT0069.jpg

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa24/second_floor_loft/gaboat%20classic12/PICT0293.jpg

[FSS172]

Congrats on the launch! And, even more impressive, you got a spiffy new floor in your boatshop at the same time!

[PaulT]

Congrats on the launch! And, even more impressive, you got a spiffy new floor in your boatshop at the same time!

Yes...That was not in the original plan. Platt left that part out on the instructions. That was one of those things that I had been putting off, and it came due during the boat build. Poor little cabin was suffering from rotted floor joists and main support beam. As soon as spring got here the unfinished boat went out on the front porch and the floor and everything below came out. Glad that's over with.

Paul

[JC 72]

Beautiful boat! Thanks for the great pics. What are dimentions? What does she weigh? John

[Svensk]

Congratulations Paul.
You did a very good job. Still working on mine. How long did it take you to finish the boat? Maybe at times I can contact you for advice?
http://www.picturetrail.com/petelitz
Pete

[Thorne]

Sweet!

[Tar Devil]

Very nice!

[Canoez]

Very nice job - what does she weigh in at?

[Vince Brennan]

Very pretty! Congratulations!

[Syed]

Excellent work!
What construction type is this? I don't mind admitting my poor boat building knowledge. Looks like a thin sheet covering the frames. Is it safe against sharp/pointed objects?

[Woxbox]

Aircraft dacron -- but it's great for boats, too. And much stronger than anyone who hasn't used this stuff is willing to beleive.
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/cs/dacron.html

[Syed]

Thank you, Woxbox.

[hokiefan]

Beautiful boat. Very nice!

Bobby

[Mrleft8]

Excellent!

[PaulT]

Beautiful boat! Thanks for the great pics. What are dimentions? What does she weigh? John

JC72:
LOA 12', beam 48.5 inches. Design weight 30 lbs. I think mine is slightly heavier..35 to 38 lbs perhaps (semi reliable scale)

[PaulT]

Congratulations Paul.
You did a very good job. Still working on mine. How long did it take you to finish the boat? Maybe at times I can contact you for advice?
http://www.picturetrail.com/petelitz
Pete

Pete:
Probably 7 or 8 months passed while I was working on it, but there were a couple of long interruptions when I was unable to work on it at all. Normally I would work about an hour or two a day after work. Rarely on the weekends because I only stayed there during the week until I retired.
As you no doubt know, Platt estimated 150 hours to built it. He obviously worked a lot faster than I do. I kept track of the time at first but reached 150 hours and what I had at that time was well below the threshold of being a boat, so I stopped keeping track of the time. No doubt I could do it faster now, but still nowhere near 150 hours. I've probably got 40 or more hours sanding things in it.:rolleyes: All those ribs and stringers.... floorboards top and bottom repeatedly. Guess?...at least twice his estimate.
And yes..Contact me anytime. I'd be glad to help in any way I can.

Thanks:
Paul

[Jay Greer]

Stunning, beautiful, awsome! I'll bet you built kites and model airplanes when you were a kid.
Jay

[PaulT]

Stunning, beautiful, awsome! I'll bet you built kites and model airplanes when you were a kid.
Jay

Jay..
Thanks. And yes, I did. But lets not forget to include building model cars :)

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa24/second_floor_loft/willys%20pickup/PICT0041.jpg

[paladin]

Very nice, Paul....

[PaulT]

Thanks to all for the kind comments. This has been a fun build for me and I'm eager to start on the next one.

Sincerely:
Paul

[Svensk]

Paul.
What's it going to be next? By the way, what kind of wood(-s) did you use in the Classic 12?
Pete

[PaulT]

Paul.
What's it going to be next? By the way, what kind of wood(-s) did you use in the Classic 12?
Pete

Not quite sure what's next. You know how it is. Looking at all these designs is rather like being a kid in a candy store. Everything looks like the next one. I'm trying to define what I want a little better.
Regarding the wood. I tried to use spruce for the stringers per Platt's instructions, but what I got here turned out to have quite a bit of internal stress (I think). By time I got it cut to the dimensions for the stringers many of the pieces sort of sprung into rather unfair (or worse) shapes. I decided I didn't want to continue to make toothpicks out of it. It worked well for the floorboards, thwarts for the seat... But I decided to use readily available poplar for the stringers. Big box available, straight, clear and it's not going to be in the water... Also used red oak for the ribs.. Again, not going in the water and the boat is covered when not in use. I used a piece of mahogany I had for the transom, stem, dagger board trunk, breast hook, quarter knees and oarlock blocks. DF for the keelson and gunwales. I did use white oak for the outer keel...support for the skeg and rudder. Skeg was clear pine.
For this project wood selection was a matter of what I could avail myself of easily and as clear as possible. It's not an heirloom. And I feel sure that through the years, boat builders used what was near their shops. I wanted to get it in the water...It's appropriate for that purpose.

Sincerely:
Paul

[switters]

Great workmanship, innovative design, congratulations, she is gorgeous.

[neilm]

Beautiful!

[CGrant]

Very nice. Congrats to you!

[pipefitter]

Very nice work. Congratulations.

[bob easton]

Very very pretty boat! Looks like a great ride. Congrats!

[Sailor]

If I built mine on the living room floor like that SWMBO would kill me. Nice job.

[htom]

Sweet.

[PeterSibley]

Very well done Paul , I've always thought the Platt boats lovely ....you have proven it yet again ! :)

[PaulT]

If I built mine on the living room floor like that SWMBO would kill me. Nice job.

I hear ya! Good news is that my wife was most of the time 70 miles away. I was staying there because I was transfered 100 miles away from home with my job. I'd be there during the week and back home on the weekends. So...while the wife is away, Paul builds a boat in the house. :D Bad news is I've retired now and I'll have to resort to a somewhat more conventional workspace for the next one.

Again, to everyone, thank you for the warm comments. This forum and the Woodenboat School have been a gold mine of information for a novice builder like myself. So much information... Thanks again.

Sincerely:
Paul