20' Sooty Tern

[Vernon]

The too damn hot for canoeing season has arrived in Ohio, so I've started another boat. This will give me something to do in the shade.



I wrote to Ian Oughted directly for the plans, recieved and studied them for a week or so, made some copies, and started lofting. Lofting would not be required for this design, but I intend to build a boat where it will be required and I value the additional practice that can be checked with patterns. The Sooty Tern is built from Arctic Tern plans with a few supplimental sheets with dimensions to stretch it out to 19'-6", I'm building this one at 20' and the stem and stern would need to be redrawn anyways.

So I started by building a lofting board, giving up my planer station for awhile. No troubles there, I'll take it all down and put the individual boards on a proper table before I actually use them for patterns. The cabinets are empty, this area has yet to be finished. A lot of things around here are yet to be finished....

[Vernon]

This overhead rack was a bright idea that has always been a pain in the butt, so it getting re-used as the frame for the lofting board. It's been replaced with adjustable racks on the wall for the small amount of lumber I keep over here, and my battens.



Nothing needed cut, I used stuff laying around here. It's all screwed together with deck screws so it'll be easy to take down and use for something else.

[Vernon]

1/2" beaver puke backing for a solid surface. I have 1/2 of a bunk leftover from another project. Won't be ideal, but it's what I'll use for the moulds too.



Luaun for the drawing surface.



Leftover white primer and paint and I have a start on a drawing board.
This is all the pictures I have uploaded at the moment. Out to finish setting up the building frame, maybe more tonight.

[stromborg]

I have a couple of plan sets from Iain too, neat to have your name on them.

I spent some time lofting Wee Seal last winter, it was an interesting exercise working off the table of offsets but having the full-size patterns as a reference when I got confused was nice. After building the frames I realized Wee Seal really wasn't the boat I wanted build but the time and money spent was worth it just for the education. (Eun Mara was calling me the whole time, those plans are tucked away until next fall after the KDI is launched)

What made you decide to loft on the wall like that? Back when I was drafting (pencil on vellum in the pre-CAD days) it was always a challenge finding the right angle for the board so my triangles and pencils didn't end up on the floor. I suspect you will find the need for a second set of hands to help fight gravity.

Steve

[potomac]

Talk about a title that gets my attention. Insert dog-voiced hmm? here. Why stretching to 20', if you don't mind my asking? Did you write Iain requesting the plans, then await a response, then send a check? I want to get these plans directly from Iain like you did. Off to a great start. I'm really excited to follow this build. Thanks for sharing- Aaron

stromborg- Do not think you're going to pull off your Eun Na Mara build without sharing. We'll be wanting pics of that one too.

[TerryLL]

Stretching a 19-6 design to 20-0 seems a bit odd. There are legitimate reasons for keeping a build just under 20 feet, but I can't think of any reason to redraw the design for just a few additional inches.

BTW, my Caledonia Yawl build, which should be 19-6, actually ended up at 20-1 just by letting the stem heads fun long. I'll have to whack them back a bit so I can fall under the USCG regs for boats under 20 feet.

[kenjamin]

Hey Terry,

Here's a link to US Coast Guard regulations: http://www.uscgboating.org/assets/1/...ations/420.PDF

I couldn't find a cut off for boats under 20' but there is a cut off for under 16'. Is the cut off for under 20' a state law for you? Just curious because Xena ended up being 20' 2".

Thanks, Kenjamin

[Vernon]

I have a couple of plan sets from Iain too, neat to have your name on them.

I spent some time lofting Wee Seal last winter, it was an interesting exercise working off the table of offsets but having the full-size patterns as a reference when I got confused was nice. After building the frames I realized Wee Seal really wasn't the boat I wanted build but the time and money spent was worth it just for the education. (Eun Mara was calling me the whole time, those plans are tucked away until next fall after the KDI is launched)

What made you decide to loft on the wall like that? Back when I was drafting (pencil on vellum in the pre-CAD days) it was always a challenge finding the right angle for the board so my triangles and pencils didn't end up on the floor. I suspect you will find the need for a second set of hands to help fight gravity.

Steve

Steve,
I set up the board that way just because of the space available. Later pictures will show a tray at the bottom to hold everything and to ride a square on. I just use trim nails to support my battens.
Vern

[Vernon]

Talk about a title that gets my attention. Insert dog-voiced hmm? here. Why stretching to 20', if you don't mind my asking? Did you write Iain requesting the plans, then await a response, then send a check? I want to get these plans directly from Iain like you did. Off to a great start. I'm really excited to follow this build. Thanks for sharing- Aaron

stromborg- Do not think you're going to pull off your Eun Na Mara build without sharing. We'll be wanting pics of that one too.

Thanks Aaron,

20' just to keep it simple. It changes the station spacing from 29.5 to 30 inches. Buttock spacing is 10" so it's nice to use a multiple there as well. I don't have the plans in front of me, but the Sooty Tern may be around 19' 8" instead of 19-6 like I said. I only changed the spacing by 1/2 inch.

I used pricing from the UK site, translated using google currency, wrote a note that I'd make up the difference if the amount was incorrect, and sent it with my check. Must have been OK, I got the plans.

Vern

[Vernon]

Stretching a 19-6 design to 20-0 seems a bit odd. There are legitimate reasons for keeping a build just under 20 feet, but I can't think of any reason to redraw the design for just a few additional inches.

BTW, my Caledonia Yawl build, which should be 19-6, actually ended up at 20-1 just by letting the stem heads fun long. I'll have to whack them back a bit so I can fall under the USCG regs for boats under 20 feet.

Hey Terry,

I think the Sooty Tern must be longer than 19-6 like I mentioned above. It would have been over 20' in any case with the wild Stems I want to carve. I only streched it by 4" just to keep it simple. It's another option listed on the plans and the stems had to be redrawn anyway since the patterns are for an Arctic Tern. As drawn on my board, it will actually come out to about 20' 4 1/2" or more.

In Ohio, dang near everything needs inspected and a hull ID assigned. Registration is grouped something like 16-26 feet. I'm not aware of any other regulations, I'll have to check the coast guard site.

Thanks,
Vern


ETA
THe Coast Guard requirements for safety gear appear to be grouped from 16' to 26'. It's all stuff that prudence would have you carry anyway. Are there specific requirments I'm missing?

[Vernon]

Hey Terry,

Here's a link to US Coast Guard regulations: http://www.uscgboating.org/assets/1/...ations/420.PDF

I couldn't find a cut off for boats under 20' but there is a cut off for under 16'. Is the cut off for under 20' a state law for you? Just curious because Xena ended up being 20' 2".

Thanks, Kenjamin

Thanks for the Link, I was just about to look for the CG regs to make sure. Saved me a few clicks. .

[htom]

OK, I'm back from the store with fresh popcorn. This is going to be great.

[Vernon]

Added a tray at the bottom of the board, it's level with the water lines and can be used with a square to draw verticals or transfer points.

Drawing the water lines.




Drawing the stem. I messed up the location of the Fore and aft perpendiculars and didn't notice before I had drawn the shear in. Good thing I noticed on the drawing board and not after I built some parts.




Drawing in the water lines in half breadth view




Working on the body plan.

[Vernon]

Got Iains book from Amazon. Good stuff. If you're doing one of his boats and have any reservations at all, I'd get this.

[Vernon]

OK, I'm back from the store with fresh popcorn. This is going to be great.

Ooooh, popcorn! Goes well with beer.

[TerryLL]

Hey Terry,

Here's a link to US Coast Guard regulations: http://www.uscgboating.org/assets/1/...ations/420.PDF

I couldn't find a cut off for boats under 20' but there is a cut off for under 16'. Is the cut off for under 20' a state law for you? Just curious because Xena ended up being 20' 2".

Thanks, Kenjamin

I don't know specifically what the distinction is, but I've met several times over the years with my local CG liaison officer to discuss various designs, and he has mentioned that 20' OAL is a dividing line in the regs. I'll have to do some research to dig up the specifics.

[Vernon]

I'm using the paper patterns for the moulds, and then checking my lofting with the patterns. The lofting is pretty good, but I have the bottom a little bit fuller by a max of 1/4" at the 3 center stations. Doh, that's what the diagonals in the body plan are for. I'll be reworking those stations again on the body plan and adding the diagonals in just to make sure I learn something and everything agrees.

Anywho, I trust the patterns, made several copies before I started, and that's the easiest way forward.

Cut out to the station line, I could cut the flats for the laps to land on at this point but I could decide to do 7 or 8 strakes instead of the 6 called for - still thinking on that and won't decide until I line it all off.




Draw in the centerline.




Draw in the Building floor, careful to stay square to the centerline

[Vernon]

Draw in DWL, careful to stay equidistant to the building floor and square to the centerline.



Add the lap marks, I'll line it off according to plan 1st, might as well make it easy. Also measure the distance from DWL to shear, the Sooty Tern has it's shear raised a bit higher than the Arctic Tern.

[Vernon]

I draw the line with a fat sharpie half on the paper to avoid moving the pattern around.



Flip the pattern about the CL, do it all again.




Square up from the Building Floor to the shear mark.



Remove the paper and project the lap lines back on to the mould. Fill in BF and DWL that were under the paper.
Use the paper taped to the lofting board to grade my body plan - (B- at best btw)

[Vernon]

Splitting the fat line with the jigsaw on the right and sneaking up to a hairline showing with 50 grit on the belt sander on the left.



All that 7 times, boom - building moulds



Another boat building related project in the pic - I added the small stove, anticipating this project running over the winter. I wanted to get it placed before the building frame was in the way and will install the pipe when it starts to get a little cooler.

[almeyer]

Oh, this is gonna be good.....
A fantastic design and lotsa pictures - such a deal!
Al

[Vernon]

Oh, this is gonna be good.....
A fantastic design and lotsa pictures - such a deal!
Al

Ah yea, lotsa pics, sometimes I think I may go to far. I have been reducing the size down on a lot of them to 400 px to help out my crappy connection. One day we might get something better out here in Mayberry.

Thanks for checking in,
Vern

[Vernon]

The building frame going together. I tore apart the frame from my canoe for some of the material.



I left it last night with the moulds layed out so I could get a good idea where to position the frame.

[Vernon]

Pick up this morning, right there is where it goes, mounted to the floor. Just 1 deck screw at the top of each leg, I find the high point, remove the screw on the next leg, level and screw it home




A few pics of the molds fitted, just screwed to the bottom at this point.




I thought about drilling or cutting holes to make for easier clamping, but decided just to use temporary cleats as I go instead. The stuffs flimsy enough as is, I'll beef it up a bit when I get around to bracing it all next weekend.

[timo4352]

Man, you don't waste any time!
Jumpin' right in there and getting started. I'll be watching this build with great interest too.
Not too hot here for playin' in the water - my sharpie build has all but stopped for now while I play. Best of luck with the new build.
Tim

[keyhavenpotterer]

Vernon,

Whats the maximum beam at the waterline on your Sooty Tern?

Ed

[James McMullen]

I love this thread already!

I just got back from a weekend trip through the San Juan islands in mine. 63-1/2 miles, split nearly 50/50 rowing and sailing. There's no other sail and oar boat I'd rather have.

Vernon, I'd recommend against cutting any flats on your molds at all. Wait to do the final lining off and plank spiling with battens on your actual three-dimensional building jig, not on your 2-D drawings. That way you will be more likely to get the fairest eye-sweet plank runs.

[Vernon]

Man, you don't waste any time!
Jumpin' right in there and getting started. I'll be watching this build with great interest too.
Not too hot here for playin' in the water - my sharpie build has all but stopped for now while I play. Best of luck with the new build.
Tim

Thanks Tim, I'm into it 2 long weekends and a few evenings so far, so I'm not going too fast. Just caught up with the posting.
Vern

[Vernon]

Vernon,

Whats the maximum beam at the waterline on your Sooty Tern?

Ed

5' - 4 1/2" beam all the way down to pointy-er-en-heck at both ends if all goes well.

Vern

[Vernon]

I love this thread already!

I just got back from a weekend trip through the San Juan islands in mine. 63-1/2 miles, split nearly 50/50 rowing and sailing. There's no other sail and oar boat I'd rather have.

Vernon, I'd recommend against cutting any flats on your molds at all. Wait to do the final lining off and plank spiling with battens on your actual three-dimensional building jig, not on your 2-D drawings. That way you will be more likely to get the fairest eye-sweet plank runs.

Thanks James, It'll be awhile before I take a trip like that - never even been on a sailboat. First time for everything though, I'll have the oars to get me home. I didn't end up cutting the flats. I wouldn't have considered it but I used osb I had on hand and it won't plane so well. I'll just cut it with my pull saw and belt sand the flats to shape as I go. Also, this time I think I'll make up a bunch of battens and line off the entire boat at once rather that 1 at a time like I did with my canoe. I won't be trying for perfection, just want to get a little better with each project.

I think you mentioned that Iain had written that the design was in demand. My plan # is 39. I don't know how many are built or a-builden, but it seems a lot of folks are interested in the design.

Vern

[James McMullen]

Never been on a sailboat?!? Mercy! Well, you just come out here and visit some time and I'll take you out in Rowan, show you the ropes. The Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival is a perfect time to visit.

And that goes for all y'all. Anyone who wants to build a Sooty Tern for themselves, I'm happy to help out!

[Yeadon]

I like Vern's style. Never sailed before and he's gonna build a Snooty Tern. That said, I would recommend some recreational sailing lessons between now and launch day. Nothing too serious, but it's good to know how to power up the sails and keep the boat moving. You'll get most of your real education later alone out on the water.

[sailoar]

I have Arctic Tern plans, and was considering the Sooty Tern extension. But having no brother to keep up with, and having the body of what Groundskeeper Willie would call a 'noodle-armed choirboy,' I think I'll stick to the 18 footer.

What are your plans for buoyancy, Vern? Air bags, end tanks, side tanks?

[keyhavenpotterer]

Cheers Vernon,

What I was wondering was how wide is it on your lofting, at the line where the waterline is drawn accross the crosssection shape at the widest point down at this horizontal level - probably at station 4 or 5 or so. Not the top of the boat beam but the width of it on the waterline where the boat floats to? Thats is the widest point where the boat is going through the water, not up at the gunwale? Just I've got the narrower J2 version plans and wondered if there was a difference here or whether it was the same? Prob have to get a set of plans myself but I was wondering what the shape tweak is beside total beam Ian talks of.

Thanks again

Ed

[James McMullen]

My max beam at the sheer is amidships or maybe even slightly forward, whereas the max beam at the waterline is somewhat aft of this.

Gratuitous boat porn just sent to me by Marty Loken, whom I met out at Sucia Island last Saturday:



You get that thing done, Vernon, put her on a trailer, and come out and play!

[MoMan]

Hey Vernon-- Wow, you don't waste any time between projects! I'll be watching this thread closely too. I want to start a new build by year end; just have to narrow my design choices down a few more. Good to see you're keeping a supply of Thinkin' Juice handy for this heat wave.

[Vernon]

Never been on a sailboat?!? Mercy! Well, you just come out here and visit some time and I'll take you out in Rowan, show you the ropes. The Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival is a perfect time to visit.

And that goes for all y'all. Anyone who wants to build a Sooty Tern for themselves, I'm happy to help out!

I'd love to make out for the festival, I was talking it up for the wife last year. I really wanted to make Mystic this year, but our annual shutdown period at the plant coincided with the show. I'm the maintenance manager, so I couldn't take vacation at the time - at least not without a small lynch mob forming.

Still 2 weeks of vacation to take.... could be a nice trip.

Vern

[Vernon]

I like Vern's style. Never sailed before and he's gonna build a Snooty Tern. That said, I would recommend some recreational sailing lessons between now and launch day. Nothing too serious, but it's good to know how to power up the sails and keep the boat moving. You'll get most of your real education later alone out on the water.

Thanks, I will have to do something for sure. Jump in and figure it out, read, or get some training. I heard talk of a lesson on a boat with the same sail plan, Port Townsend I think it was.

[Vernon]

Cheers Vernon,

What I was wondering was how wide is it on your lofting, at the line where the waterline is drawn accross the crosssection shape at the widest point down at this horizontal level - probably at station 4 or 5 or so. Not the top of the boat beam but the width of it on the waterline where the boat floats to? Thats is the widest point where the boat is going through the water, not up at the gunwale? Just I've got the narrower J2 version plans and wondered if there was a difference here or whether it was the same? Prob have to get a set of plans myself but I was wondering what the shape tweak is beside total beam Ian talks of.

Thanks again

Ed

Oh, I see that was you're question now, careless reading. To the inside of the planking at DWL, it's about 25 9/16" at station 4. It fattens out to around 25 7/8" 10 or so inches aft of the station'

So, doubling that - 51 3/4"

[James McMullen]

Vernon, if you really are thinking about coming to Port Townsend this year, better start making plans and hotel reservations NOW. It is insanely, wildly popular, and with good reason. There are more amazing wooden boats gathered in one place than anywhere else on earth. You'll love it!



Don't worry about the reservations for sailing on Rowan though, I'm keeping a slot pencilled in with your name on it already.

[Vernon]

Hey Vernon-- Wow, you don't waste any time between projects! I'll be watching this thread closely too. I want to start a new build by year end; just have to narrow my design choices down a few more. Good to see you're keeping a supply of Thinkin' Juice handy for this heat wave.

Hey hey Mike, gettin some canoe-in done? This last weekend was darn near too hot for any thinkin, although I think I remember a heat index of 107F. The pattern was out to the shop with 1 bottle of juice and 3-4 bottles of water, back in the AC and a new tshirt so I could sit down without threat of punishment, back out 1 juice, 3-4 water.

Right around 5 shirts, 6 beers, and 20 bottles of water a day. Cooled off nicely this week though, feels like around the mid 80's - too bad I gotta work.

[Vernon]

I have Arctic Tern plans, and was considering the Sooty Tern extension. But having no brother to keep up with, and having the body of what Groundskeeper Willie would call a 'noodle-armed choirboy,' I think I'll stick to the 18 footer.

What are your plans for buoyancy, Vern? Air bags, end tanks, side tanks?

I'm going to do the end tanks as shown on the plans, probably with homade hatches as shown in Iain's book for storage - I like the simple look of the squared decks more than the curved design.

[neilm]

Very nice!!! I too am building a Sooty Tern but decided to keep it the same length as James. Iain mentions both lengths. The 19' 8" version just seems to fit my shop a little better and I can ask James for measurements. I plan to start my thread this Fall when I get more time to work on it. I just finished gluing the keelson on. You lofted, very impressive. I am actually using the same stems as the Arctic Tern but I did extend them an inch. If you lay the line drawings from both boats on a light table you will see they pretty much match up in shape but the angle is slightly different.

I was curious about the centerboard. I guess they are the same as the Arctic Tern but Iain only mentions the position is the same relative to mold 4. Seems like a bigger boat should have a bigger centerboard and sail.

Neil

[MoMan]

Hey hey Mike, gettin some canoe-in done?

A couple of weeks back, we went to New Braunfels (near San Antonio) for a long weekend and I got to canoe with a friend of mine on Lake Dunlap, a dammed up portion of the Guadalupe River. We launched right about sunrise. He is the first person I've had in the boat who is more experienced than me, so I took the opportunity to ride the bow seat for the first time. What a difference in speed it makes to have another person who knows what he's doing!

Otherwise, I've been taking other complete novices down a bayou that runs thru the middle of downtown Houston. It's pretty cool, but I'm itching to try some other water too.

The weather here has been surprisingly tolerant lately; in fact we are well above average for rain this year. Sounds like the middle of the country is enjoying what Texas had all last year. Not fun.

[Vernon]

Very nice!!! I too am building a Sooty Tern but decided to keep it the same length as James. Iain mentions both lengths. The 19' 8" version just seems to fit my shop a little better and I can ask James for measurements. I plan to start my thread this Fall when I get more time to work on it. I just finished gluing the keelson on. You lofted, very impressive. I am actually using the same stems as the Arctic Tern but I did extend them an inch. If you lay the line drawings from both boats on a light table you will see they pretty much match up in shape but the angle is slightly different.

I was curious about the centerboard. I guess they are the same as the Arctic Tern but Iain only mentions the position is the same relative to mold 4. Seems like a bigger boat should have a bigger centerboard and sail.

Neil

I'd certainly be interested in another thread when you decide to post. I won't be able to stick with this project at all times either, it could take a year or more. I'd have to look again but the centerboard doesn't change as I remember it, but there is a seperate sheet for the Sooty Tern sail plan.

Vern

[P.L.Lenihan]

The pattern was out to the shop with 1 bottle of juice and 3-4 bottles of water, back in the AC and a new tshirt so I could sit down without threat of punishment, back out 1 juice, 3-4 water.

Right around 5 shirts, 6 beers, and 20 bottles of water a day. Cooled off nicely this week though, feels like around the mid 80's - too bad I gotta work.

Hold on a cotton pickin' second there Vern; how in the name of Cheeses did ya get ta 5 shirts and 6 juices? Ya shoulda only been at 5 juices. Now quit yer cheatin' with the medicine and while yer at it,ease up a bit on the water stuff. There's plenty of water already in the juice. No point in diluting it any further!


On a less serious note, it appears you've chosen a fine sailing craft and are off to an excellent start of thngs. I look forward to following your progress and will keep the cooler full, just in case I needs me a dose of medicine to still my excitable nerves.

Best of luck with this fine design build!!!



Cheers!



Peter

[Max F]

I love this thread allready!
After 3 seasons of sailing with my 20´ Arctic Tern I´m even more impressed with this design.
As I work usually in the metric system I build LJS 6000mm between the verticals.
I did strech too my centerboard and case. But that is up to the builder.
Here is a link to some of my building pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/seaandshore/?saved=1
Have fun!
Max

[P.L.Lenihan]

Max,


That is one very well finished boat you have! Your very careful attention to details is inspiring!

Love your choice of interior colour too! Makes even the grayest day bright!Just beautiful!


Cheers!


Peter


p.s. Vernon, the bar has been set very high by Max F.

[PeterSibley]

I went right through the album , she's lovely Max, a great tent too!

[Vernon]

Hold on a cotton pickin' second there Vern; how in the name of Cheeses did ya get ta 5 shirts and 6 juices? Ya shoulda only been at 5 juices. Now quit yer cheatin' with the medicine and while yer at it,ease up a bit on the water stuff. There's plenty of water already in the juice. No point in diluting it any further!


On a less serious note, it appears you've chosen a fine sailing craft and are off to an excellent start of thngs. I look forward to following your progress and will keep the cooler full, just in case I needs me a dose of medicine to still my excitable nerves.

Best of luck with this fine design build!!!



Cheers!



Peter

No, No, No - The math is all wrong, ya need more neurons - you have to start with thinkin and end with thinkin. The day was bracketed by cold ones, 1 to start and another at the finish - that'd be 6. It was hot enough that I had to fill in with lotsa waters, the 1 shop rule we have here is that ya can't operate the machinery and drink a case in the same day.

I switched over to the light beer this weekend to help maintain my girly figure - not good, I think it just has water added.

I'm going back to the tap for my water.

Cheers to you Peter