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+1 on the router bit. I usually make a template, rough cut the hole with a jig saw close to the line, and use a top bearing bit with the template. The round corners can be left and corresponding...

On Saturday, I took everything out and went through a preliminary rigup with the sails. I got some cheap line to lace the sails on, and scavenged a Laser sheet for a temporary halyard. I've never set...

Hi folks,
On Friday afternoon I got all the spars out, minus the miz boom which isn't made yet, and installed the fore halyard sheave, and drilled my holes in the yard and boom. Finish sanded them...

I would only add that your plug cutters should be tapered. that way, the plugs can be tuned for the snugness you want, and not all counterbores are the same either, with slight differences. How deep...

Very nice, John! So what's on tap for this winter? Modifications, or a new boat? Or maybe hole up with your paint kit and easel.

Plan B

The Kirby NIS series have about twice the freeboard, comparatively, to the Parker trad sharpies. The NIS is closer to the Core Sounds than to the Ohio model, except for the highly radiused cabintop...

The cross grain scratches is what I wanted to avoid, and the radius spokeshave gets things pretty round. 6" belts are pretty easy to come by for a slightly larger box, and I could imagine a 12" cloth...

Its running through the chock. And anyway I'll need something to do next spring, like touch up the varnish.

I finally had a day in the shop to myself, and put some time in on the spars. I got this radius spokeshave from Lee Valley, and it works extremely well. It has done all the spars (after 16 siding)...

The peapod can be built either way, but the plank keel is much handier for setting a centerboard trunk on, and gives a little flat for sitting upright. That's very cool about the graf writer and...

I'm in the Navy Yard on the third floor, but I have a 16' freight elevator. Brooklyn's the hip place to be these days.

Great job so far, Falcon. I think you got the right "first machine" purchase. A bandsaw's a wonderful thing to have. Looking forward to your project. Providence looks funny though. Here in Brooklyn...

A few years ago, I took some shots of the two-sail built at the CBMM. Theirs looks to be built per Chappelle, with the shortish tiller and stern sheets. I like this boat, too. Kevin Brennan built a...

Can't wait to hear a report of that stick-up rig Tim!

Hi Captain Kirk, can I call you Jim?
My personal opinion is that the foil should match the rest of the boat. I doubt whether significant windward improvement will be evident by simply upgrading the...

I put a few miles on Mouse over the weekend, in about a 12-14mph breeze. Upwind, downwind, and beam to. I'm still pretty happy, but I could see installing another set of rowlocks, with a removable...

Dang man, be careful. You was lucky. Footings take a surprising amount of material.

Congratulations, Tim! Fine looking pair of 'oars.

I built a Tom Hill boat back in the 80's and loved it. We put a lot of miles on it, week long ADK trips tandem, solo paddle down in the Great Dismal. 44 lbs, 14'. Mostly single paddle.
...

Thanks Ben! Our seats may be laid out differently. I'm 6' too, and my feet rest right against the aft frame. My stern seat (aft of rowing thwart) might be a little higher than yours, too. Its really...

Here's another couple of pics, rowing double, or from the fwd seat. Any comments on trim? I've never rowed double before, so we are flailing around a little, but we'll get better. I had a little...

Hi Wade, I wonder if your leech issue has to do with the smaller mizzen placed further fwd, so that the leech is in bad air from the main. The relatively larger ketch rig, with mast in same location...

...continued

http://jimluton.com/images/row4_web.jpg

http://jimluton.com/images/rowstern_web.jpg

http://jimluton.com/images/hollyrow_web.jpg
Holly rowing from the forward seat. I use those...

Mouse made it to the water today. bout time I guess. We had a picture perfect weekend here, S around 10 to 12, and 70 deg. I'm quite pleased so far. I rowed solo, we rowed double, and solo with...

Looks great Tim! Have you done the spars yet? Looking forward to launching day.

I mortised in the halyard sheave while the stick was still 8 sided. Rather than chopping out a mortise, I cheated and sawed it out on the bandsaw from the top, then filled in the space above the...

Meanwhile back in the shop...
Trying to steal some time to work on the spars. The fore mast as I think I mentioned, is solid with a square base. After I glued up the blank, I let it sit for a few...

Abranet is great stuff, if a little pricey. The nice thing is, the hook and loop discs fit any sander out there, no holes to line up. We mostly use the finer grits for finishing in my shop, and also...

Plug it and move on. You will have sold the boat and built a Caledonia yawl before that little bit of steel gives you problems. But before then, get a good set of counter sinks. Tapered, like the...

That McNaughton link is old. It worked in 2010, but its gone now. I like the idea of using plexi sheet. I've got a set of splines, weights and curves from the pre computer era, but some longish,...

Thanks for the compliments, everyone! Keyhaven, I launch from our dock with the dolly, so it will never hit the water, at least not on purpose. I'll use the road trailer for ramps.
I'm looking...

I went back out on Sunday, and assembled the big dolly I built, and rigged up the winch and keel rollers. I still have some padding to put onto the bunks, and rig the strap on the winch. Its back out...

Mouse has left the building. We moved her out of the shop on Saturday, and out to the club. I had my mover come by and we loaded her into his truck, along with 4 big sliding doors for the new boat...

Capefox, if your strips are only 3/8 thick, and you are laminating them on the boat, you should have no trouble with the bends. My rubrails are generally 3/4" half rounds, mahogany or sapele, and...

Then there's the varnishing, and all the bits to attach.

Here's another vote for the MiniMax MM16. I'd love the 24" Agazzani but it must be twice the cost (or more) of the MM16. I've used the MM for several years now, and like it a lot. Big motor almost...

Athwartship it is. Thanks very much!

Nice Ken!

I'm getting ready to mortise my halyard sheave into the fore mast, James. Did you say Rowan's sheave runs athwartship? It makes sense on one level, but it strikes me it might be a little twisty on...

I built a Penguin as my first boat, in about '86 or '87. It was a wonderful building project, with just the right complexity. I was never happy with the boat, though. It was heavy enough to make...

Attacked by beatles? There's only the two of them left, and they're both getting old.

Well, I for one had a very nice visit with James and Wes in my shop, and later at Peter McManus 'pub with Twodot and the Rogers. No pictures though (except the ones on James' ipad). Hopefully others...

I'm sure now that we have strayed from the OP's topic. Nevertheless, to address Kairos' question, the standup lock needs additional support below the sheer to take the leverage. This is how Walt...

If stand up locks is what you mean, like the right pair in the picture, then Walt Simmons has them, or sometimes does. I didn't see them on his website just now, but I got mine from him.
...

You're really looking good there, John. This will be a nice boat, capable and fast.

Vern, you could glue the knees to the thwart, and then bed the knees in sikaflex or some such to the sheer plank. That's what I did on the Matinicus. I'll have to grind paint on the outside of the...

Allright! That was spars for the Marsh Cat?

I couldn't resist this. My first ever boat, and my wife is fairing the hull!

http://jimluton.com/images/penguin1_web.jpg

And the result...

http://jimluton.com/images/penguin2_web.jpg
...

You lucked out James! Wish I wasn't working.