Building Peterson's "Susan" #11

[RodB]

This is the continuation of the Thread on "Building Peterson's Schooner "Susan"...this is the 11th separate thread in a continuing series.

Here are the links to previous segments on this thread.... Note.. a few of the threads in the first 4 segments are missing some images because SonyImagestation closed down... and I did not redo the image links. Segment #2 and #3 are particularly missing links.. .. I have a pdf file about 80mb in size (consists of segment #1 thru #6) that I can send you if you send me your email address via pvt message..... I can send it via www.yousendit.com

Thread #1 First thread (Images of "Susan" sister ship and basic parameters...set up of strongback and frames)

http://www.woodenboat.com/forum/show...Building+Susan

Thread #2
http://www.woodenboat.com/forum/show...Building+Susan

Thread #3
http://www.woodenboat.com/forum/show...Building+Susan

Thread #4

http://www.woodenboat.com/forum/show...Building+Susan

Thread #5

http://www.woodenboat.com/forum/show...Building+Susan

Thread #6

http://www.woodenboat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=77658

Thread #7

http://www.woodenboat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=82391

Thread segment #8

http://www.woodenboat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=83864

Thread segment #9

http://www.woodenboat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=90162

Thread Segment #10

Pg 1
http://www.woodenboat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=96078

Pg 2
http://www.woodenboat.com/forum/show...t=96078&page=2


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To begin Segment #11... I want to show the cabinet top that Bob built for the engine cover. ...

And now, heres the cabinet top .... very functional.... also straight grain Doug Fir and looks very nice and in sync with the rest of the interior. The last segment show this cabinet without a top....



Here you can see the stern compartment with a bit of the new Ipe floor installed. This stern compartment has a bit more usable room in the stern area compared to the original "Susan" with larger bunks and a very clean installation of engine systems such as water intake etc. Bob also enlarged the cabin in length, width, and height.



Heres a better photo towards the stern showing a better view of the new Ipe floor. Since this Susan will be lighter than the Original in hull weight, the "heavy" Ipe will work well for a bullet proof cabin sole and the weight is not an issue. The Ipe planks will be fastened with bronze #10 screws.



Heres looking forward with the Ipe cabin sole. Note the small cabinet on the left that houses the AC compressor. Behind the cabinet towards the portside hull.... the upper compartment will house a swing out electrical panel, both 12V and 110V... The electrical panels, etc will be set up for very easy access as with the engine.



Sure glad I have my wide angle lens (Nikon 12-24), its helpful for boat interiors... I cannot help but to mention the beautiful Osage ladder steps on the right. Love that Osage Orange...!



Heres a better shot.... I think Bob did a great job on those steps...



To be continued ....

RodB

[PeterSibley]

That ipe is good looking wood !

[RodB]

Ok, folks, here we continue with the forward cabin, the V-berth water tanks and the newly constructed storage cabinet between the "V" berths.

This view from overhead through a hatch shows both the "V" berth water storage tanks. Note the tanks are strapped to a 3/4" board that hangs from a lip (rabbit) in the framing of the "V" berths. The extra large Electrical ties will be replaced in the near future with stainless banding, but for now the system is set up as you see here. The actual bunk cover boards are set in place atop the tanks you see here. The hanging boards with the water tanks strapped to them are screwed down in their hanging niche.



Here, the tank is laid over on its side so you can see the board it is strapped to. The blue tape covers the inlet and outlet openings which will be plumbed later on.



This is the newly constructed storage cabinet that sits between the "V" berths. As with the theme of the interior, Doug Fir is used.



This view shows clearly how the starboard water tank sets in its rabbited compartment, and the actual "V" berth bunk boards will lay on top.



And the Port water tank, new Ipe Floor and the slatted head door... Note the "Mighty Mite" wood stove is sitting on a piece of tile The surface the stove is sitting on plus about a foot up on the walls will be tiled with that tile. I believe copper sheeting will cover the walls etc above the tile.



A view forward of the new Ipe flooring and the actual "V" berth bunk boards are in place atop the water storage tanks.



More to come...

RodB

[RodB]

This photo shows the new trim along the front edge of the berths.... the next photo shows the complete berths in place...



Heres the "V" berths with the full bunk boards in place. Bob is planning on having custom Blue cushions made to fit the berths. The bunks were partitioned to make use of the storage space in the forward section of the berths. Those separate doors allow use of that space separate from the water tanks under the main part of the berths.



More to come in a few weeks...

RodB

[RodB]

That ipe is good looking wood !

I think it is Ipe decking material with a nice radius on the corners....

RodB

[ucb4ume]

Looking very nice. Keep the pictures coming.

[Robmill0605]

Rod,
You mentioned that you were using 4x4 douglas fir posts from HD or Lowes. Is the entire interior made from resawing those?
Seems like a great way to use this material. Perhaps you could expand on how you are using it?
Looks awesome.
Thanks!

[RodB]

Home Depot has 4 x 4 cedar posts that you can wade through and find some that have good grain orientation... ie., quarter sawn or close to it... usually about $10 each. I'd say you can find approx 8-10 per pallet. . . but not all will be straight. You can resaw the good ones on a table saw with two cuts, one on each side... most of Bob's interior is fabricated from DF found at stores like this.. I'm sure a fencing company would have more, you just gotta look around.

RodB

[Saltiguy]

Amazing thread - Thanks again!

[sailboy3]

I just love those steps.

[banjoman]

Wow

[marryland]

Just saw your pictures now and I have to say that I am very impressed and i bit jealous too

That looks all totally harmonious it is very nice to see the single steps of working. You put really much effort and passion in this work.

I wish we also show you some pictures like this one day

[cookie]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
To begin Segment #11... I want to show the cabinet top that Bob built for the engine cover. ...

And now, heres the cabinet top .... very functional.... also straight grain Doug Fir and looks very nice and in sync with the rest of the interior. The last segment show this cabinet without a top....














To be continued ....

RodB

And a see through cover for the engine ...

Oh man, this is too much..... This thread should be X rated as boat p0rn

Awesome build

[RodB]

I keep forgetting to post a shot of the head... here it is...



RodB

[donald branscom]

I just love those steps.

There is a lot of beautiful work. Very nice.
I do like the clear plexi on the engine box, as long as you know about the noise bouncing off of it.

The stairs are nice but the angle should be 15º. I think if the boat is moving around the stairs will not be vertical ,they may be negative camber. Anyway I am not there to see it, and there may be mitigating factors of course.
I would make sure all those doors,lockers and bins have latches on them. Otherwise you may get to eat chicken soup off of the ceiling.

Very beautiful boat and a lifetime achievement.

[RodB]

The stairs are nice but the angle should be 15º. I think if the boat is moving around the stairs will not be vertical ,they may be negative camber. Anyway I am not there to see it, and there may be mitigating factors of course.
I would make sure all those doors,lockers and bins have latches on them. Otherwise you may get to eat chicken soup off of the ceiling

.

Once the handholds are installed, Bob says the entryway ladder is fairly straightforward to use....

The cabinets, lockers, etc will all have security latches...

RodB

[mrp1343]

I would like to obtain the pictures of the build. Is there a charge?

[RodB]

No charge...

RodB

[RodB]

To Whom it May Concern....

The following link is the link to download the 80mb file that is a pdf file of the first 6 segments of Building Susan... with all the images, etc... the download site is "Yousendit" about Feb 3rd.... just go to the link and click "download".

This link will be good until Feb 2nd....

https://www.yousendit.com/download/S...Nkd0TW5IRGc9PQ

RodB

[Stiletto]

Good on ya Rod. She's a beauty.
Very generous.

[Wild Dingo]

As I recall Rod from reading about Murray Peterson and his predeliction for having the engine clearly insight in most of his designs... he made a comment along the lines of "a good engine should be a joy to behold and being right there obvious to the eye anything that goes wrong would be easily seen to" something like that... and it makes sence if you think about it eh

Great work both the job hes doing and the job your doin of cataloguing it all well done!!

[Layzboy2011]

this is still my all time favorite thread on this site!! thanks again for showing us all of the hard work!!

[RodB]

To Whom it May Concern....

The following link is the link to download the 80mb file that is a pdf file of the first 6 segments of Building Susan... with all the images, etc... the download site is "Yousendit".... just go to the link and click "download".

This link will be good until Feb 7th....


https://download.yousendit.com/MVNmZGVmcGtGR0YzZUE9PQ

RodB

[Sailor]

Rod, I'm at sea right now off the coast of Haiti. Any chance of renewing that link again at a later date? I can't upload right now as I'm not on my home computer. Maybe my brother could....... Andrew?

[RodB]

Hey Sailor... No problem.... just pm me and I'll upload the file to Yousendit.com and you can get it then...

RodB

[Sailor's Brother]

Rod, I'm at sea right now off the coast of Haiti. Any chance of renewing that link again at a later date? I can't upload right now as I'm not on my home computer. Maybe my brother could....... Andrew?

Dan I already got it... when you're back from Haiti I'll send it over to you.

Keep up the good work

[Sailor]

Thanks

[snow(Alan H)]

Dan I already got it... when you're back from Haiti I'll send it over to you.

Keep up the good work

Any chance you could email it to me as well ? My set up allows for big files, so no issues with emailing it.
Cheers Alan

ahoughton at xtra dot co dot nz

[RodB]

Snow,

Send me a pm with your email and I wlll send you segment #1 thru #6 on Building Susan via yousendit.com. I'll also l post the download link again later tonight so others can download the pdf file for the next 7 days.

RodB

[Sailor's Brother]

Any chance you could email it to me as well ? My set up allows for big files, so no issues with emailing it.
Cheers Alan

ahoughton at xtra dot co dot nz

I'd email it but it's 80 MB... my email doesn't do that big a file... not meaning to give preferential treatment to Sailor (since I will give it to him but not you) but since he's my brother... I will physically hand it to him when he visits...
sorry

Sailor's Brother
(Andrew)

[Bernadette]

rod
i am now giving consideration to the engine for my new yacht (peterson's "katy" design) and was wondering what type and size engine has been installed in bob's "susan" here?
bernadette

[RodB]

Hello Bernadette,

I want to see more pics of your build...

I had a brief conversation with Bob about his engine. He spent a bit of time researching and decided on Betamarine.

Bob had some excellent communication etc with the Kubota guys in North Carolina, and they were very helpful in suggesting what size of motor and transmission and prop for use with "Susan" at her displacement, etc.

Bob got the 18-20hp model Bd722, which is a 3 cylinder (I believe the Yanmar is 2 cyl) and the 3 cyl is supposed to run smoother. I also think the Betamarine is less money than the Yanmar.

Betamarine is a marinized Kubota. Parts are available and the engine is quite accessable for maintenance, especially the integral manual oil pump lever for oil changes. I get the impression that Kubota prides itself on the ease of maintenance for their engines.

I hope this helps... Let us know how your build is going.

Take care,

RodB

[Sailor]

Any news for us?

[Eric D]

Rod, Tell Bob I love how he is resourceful on finding nice lumber at "odd" places. It is so easy for some of us who live in "timber rich" areas of the country to think nothing of hitting a local sawyer for perfect boards, yet shipping to parts of the country would be a nightmare in cost. Good for him.

I love the overall look/color of wood choices. Harmonizes well, and the details are well thought out too. Very nice job. Even the head is done well. Kudos Bob!! Rob, great pictures, thanks!!

[BobAlbers]

Thanks for all the nice comments..It does help inspire me!
Anyway...I took a break from building the last couple months due to weather/work/family and really just needed a break.....
I'm gearing back up again and am now starting work on some more interior details/trim etc.
The next big item will be casting the keel...(about 4500 lbs)....I finally have enough lead - found a great source for recycled shot at about 60 or 70 cents a pound - not bad considering the high cost of lead these days....If anyone else is interested - the company is called "ALR" (Accuratre lead recovery)...I beleive they are nationwide and deliver right to you!! check internet for them - I had 2500 lbs. delivered - 100ea. 25lb bags - delivery was a very reasonable $100. easy bags to handle and the shot melts easy too....
Rod has been busy lately with his own building of a flats boat - I beleive he has some pics posted of it as well. We'll get some more pics posted when there is more progress to show.....
Thanks
-Bob Albers

[BobAlbers]

Just some more thoughts regarding materials...
I tend to have the philosophy of using the best of what is readily available...I think lots of people get scared/intimidated and sometimes feel they can't build a boat unless they have the absolute best (and very expensive) lumber......I beleive this to be not true, and other then the hardwoods - 90% of the material in this boat was honestly obtained at Home depot or Lowes.....Yellow Pine for keel/deck beams, Red Cedar for strip planking, spruce 2 x 4's ripped into veneers for cold molding...Doug Fir 4x4's used for all interior trim.....Some would view this as "hearesy"....
Granted, these materials should not be used for traditional carvel boats, but are a good choice for cold molding/strip planking/epoxy type construction...
I did have to search through lots of limber to find older growth "good stuff" - but it is out there!!!

Just some ramblings - now just go build a boat!!

[thedutchtouch]

threads like this are wonderful for us younger, newer to the scene guys with big dreams but small pocketbooks and workspaces. someday i'll have one of them, but for now i'll live vicariously through reading these. thanks, and keep up the good work. (figured that would be the best first post i could make since i'm a lurker and a reader for now)

[peter radclyffe]

yep grab what you can, fasten it together & go sailing
Erik the Red - The Atlantic Alone in a Homemade Boat - [ Traduci questa pagina ]
Erik the Red is a story of an Oxford graduate, born in Old Trafford, England; who built a small boat of 26 feet from largely scrap materials and ...

[Robmill0605]

Just some more thoughts regarding materials...
I tend to have the philosophy of using the best of what is readily available...I think lots of people get scared/intimidated and sometimes feel they can't build a boat unless they have the absolute best (and very expensive) lumber......I beleive this to be not true, and other then the hardwoods - 90% of the material in this boat was honestly obtained at Home depot or Lowes.....Yellow Pine for keel/deck beams, Red Cedar for strip planking, spruce 2 x 4's ripped into veneers for cold molding...Doug Fir 4x4's used for all interior trim.....Some would view this as "hearesy"....
Granted, these materials should not be used for traditional carvel boats, but are a good choice for cold molding/strip planking/epoxy type construction...
I did have to search through lots of limber to find older growth "good stuff" - but it is out there!!!

Just some ramblings - now just go build a boat!!

That is a great point Bob. I have looked around at our HD after this tip and found some quartersawn cedar 4x4's for a strip planked dingy I'm building. I'm resawing it into planking strips. Your boat is an inspriation to all of us here.
Thanks.

[Eric D]

I'll be honest, most guys struggle to know which species of pine/spruce/fir really look like in the rack and will not know what they are getting. Smalser did a deal a while back explaining the stamp on wood which helps, but you just have to educate yourself and for the overall cost, they can be relatively cheap in the correct application which needs to be expressed again as Bob did.

Rob, you hit it, Bob is truly inspiring many, thanks...

[Saltiguy]

Hi!
I've been an occasional poster on the thread, but just want to thank you both again for posting this amazing build. I've read ever word, and drooled over every photo many times.
THANK YOU!

[Saltiguy]

Back again - I just got through reading "Susan #1". I missed it before, and didn't realize it was here to enjoy.
What cracked me up was some of the comments from back-benchers second-guessing you on you choice of design, sail plan, materials, use of frames, etc. Here you are, well along building a SENSATIONAL boat, and some people actually want you to reconsider(?) your choices? What the hell are they thinking? Maybe you should listen to them and start over? Congratulations to you for you patience with these wannabees.
It reminds me of why I got out of bigger sailboats. When it came time to sell, I had to deal with the tire-kickers, and of course they all wanted to go out for a sail ( and bring the family) before considering making a deposit. Once rigged and underway every point of sail became a point of discussion. How high will she point? "my brother's boat points higher". How fast is she on a reach? " a friend of mine had a boat that used to reach faster". Angle of heel" Wing-on-wing. Light Air, etc. "Could we take her out again when it's not blowing so hard?" " How come you have only 2 reef points?" "I want to see how she does in light airs". All of this coming from guys (and their wives) who clearly had done most of their sailing by reading magazines and had no real clue about sail management or how to make a boat go under different conditions of wind, tide and sail combinations. I would have to listen to this drivil for 2 or more hours, knowing fiully that they were NOT buyers, but that they were going to haggle me on the price nevertheless - just for fun.
After selling my last keel boat, I gave it up - tired of the anal- fixated - blow-boaters.
By contrast, power boats buy almost immediatly if priced right. Start it up, throw off the lines, a nice little 15 minute cruise and if Momma is smiling, the deal is done. Better yet, much of the time, Momma isn't even there. Dad is a decision maker - he comes down, makes up his mind almost right away, whips out a deposit and a week later you're moving on. What a difference!

Anyway - one again - your thread is FANTASTIC! Your work , your choices, your materials, etc are AWSOME. YES - Cold Molded! Thanks again for everything.

[BobAlbers]

Hi all....thanks again for all the responses....here are some more thoughts in regards to materials etc......
I have built several boats and learned lots along the way.....mostly self learned and by trial and error, tons by research, and lots from wisdom of other builders (including on this forum!!)
I admit my experience is primarily in cold molding/composites as this is also what I do for a living in the aircraft industry....
I by no means am an expert in the more traditional methods such as carvel etc.......but will someday build a boat in this method too!!
Anyway, when it comes to materials - there is more "freedom" to experiment etc. in the world of cold molding/composites......lots of lumber lends itself well to gluing and laminating that would not be well suited to carvel/traditional construction....take for instance good 'ol yeller pine...often shunned by lots for the thought that it "rots immediately" (not referring to the prized and pretty much extinct longleaf variety)......this is true if not used properly....but it does have good characteristics for laminating/molding......
I have found lots of "slow growth" tight ringed stuff that was used for all the deck beams of this boat as well as deadwood etc.....
Large, relatively clear pieces, such as 2x12x16 or 20 ft can be had from the "box" stores if searched for.......It is glues/epoxies great and has the density/strength needed in lots of uses....
The "major" deck beams were laminated approx. 2 in x 2 in - 3/16 in. layers.......strong, beautiful, and will last longer than me!!!!
Let's not forget that a lot of varieties of marine plywood are made from "not so rot resitant" materials - but are readily accepted in the industry

Just some more ramblings... more to come..
-Bob

[BobAlbers]

OK.....back immediately as more thoughts came to mind....this time in regards to laminating/gluing etc. The most important thing in any glue job are:
1. Proper epoxy mixing/proportions/additives
2. SURFACE PREPARATION!!!!

Surface prep is what I find to be the biggest fault in most epoxy jobs.....always remember with epoxy, a "rough" surface lets the epoxy "bight" better....think of it like velcro.....the roughness gives the eopxy something to "hook" into and adds great strength...
I once laminated some beams from some nice planed and laminated layers that were "baby smooth".......after forming beams to curve and essentially squeezing out most of the epoxy, I was able to peel these layers apart when cured!!!!

Again......more ramblings

[BobAlbers]

OK....so how do you surface prep you ask????
take a look at how the teak deck was prepped in previous photos....I ran these at an angle across my bandsaw blade - this gave a real rough surface for the epoxy to hold - and because teak is oily, it was then wiped down with acetone prior to gluing
......I will also often use a 60 grit belt on my sander and run it across the grain on all surfaces!!!!!

Man - anymore ramblings and Rod will have to start thread #12!!!!

-Bob

[Sailor]

Bump

[RodB]

A little update on Susan.... Bob has been working on interior trim, and its slow going because of the time it takes...

Heres a closeup of the bunk rail starboard qtr berth...



A wider shot...



Port side stern



Some new trim along the base of the cabin sidewalls ... and around the galley sink, etc.





Cabin roof shot from cabin sole view...



More in a couple weeks...

RodB

[P.L.Lenihan]

Thank you most sincerely,once again RodB, for this excellent documentry through your superlative photographs! Compliments also to the builder for his exquisite execution of this most worthy design! Truly inspirational all around!!


Cheers!


Peter

[Sailor]

Yeah, what he said!

[RodB]

Thanks....

R