The believed abstraction of a 12 foot clinker dinghy.

[Mike1902]

Looking terrific Mike! Love the line of the rubbing strip. Nice job with that sheathing!

Thanks Rick.
Having never used Dynel before, the experience went better than expected.
I was imagining floating out of control wavy fabric and copious amounts of epoxy but all in all it just all flowed on.
Does soak up a bit of epoxy though, 408 grams of epoxy and hardener combined for that little exercise. (13.8 fl ozs).

Hello Mike,

Your work looks terrific!

You really know how to get the curves and 'sweep' just right.

You really are building a GEM of a little boat.

Regards,
Alan

Thanks Alan.
I cannot take all the credit for those curves. The hull was already built but it is a case of highlighting and tweaking those curves.
The rubbing strakes were glued on at matching measurements from the deck sheer along both sides.
The sheer planks however were not created equal so it was a case of trimming along the lower edge on one side and filling in the other.

IMG-9410.jpgIMG-9409.jpg

That job was completed today.

Such great work! Such a beautiful boat!
After watching this thread for the last couple of years I have to say, "The luckiest Dinghy in the World" to have such a owner!

Can't wait to see what's next!

Thanks John.
I am hoping to get the hull painted soon but lots of those little jobs keep popping up before that can happen.
Faired and graphite/epoxied the dagger board slot today using the DB case as a guide.

IMG-9400.jpgIMG-9408.jpgIMG-9411.jpg

I'm getting these small tasks completed while I can still flip the boat.
Once the top rubbing strake goes on, that's that.
The hull will be painted while it is upside down, as will the sealing and varnishing of the lower rubbing strake.
Then it's right side up and the completion of the sheer strake details, no more flipping.

Cheers,
Mike.

[Mike1902]

Here's one, just for fun.
IMG-9396.jpg

[Mike1902]

Three coats of 207/105 epoxy plus eight coats of varnish on the rubbing strakes.
Kauri, with it's long straight grain can look a bit bland at times but when the light angles are right, it brings out a lovely fleck it the timber.

IMG-9440.jpgIMG-9441.jpg

Primer on.
Nice to see the light separating the strakes and laps.
First undercoat went on this evening.

IMG-9459.jpgIMG-9457.jpg

The bow does not look as bluff with a bit of paint and a favourable camera angle.

[IanMilne]

I've just been catching up on your thread, Mike. Glad you're OK after that terrible weather. Our family (from Wellington) had several holidays at the Eskdale domain when I was a kid. Sad to see Eskdale now.

That's great sailing on Rawhiti. Hector is looking pretty good too!

Cheers, Ian

[Mike1902]

I've just been catching up on your thread, Mike. Glad you're OK after that terrible weather. Our family (from Wellington) had several holidays at the Eskdale domain when I was a kid. Sad to see Eskdale now.

That's great sailing on Rawhiti. Hector is looking pretty good too!

Cheers, Ian

Hi Ian,

Sadly, Eskdale domain is now more like Eskdale sandpit. A long road to recovery there.

Sailing on Rawhiti is always a thrill.
Janet has been somewhat neglected this Summer, if you can call it that.
The very recent sale of Janet's rented berth has prompted me getting my A into G regarding improving her cosmetics and readying her for sale.

Hector is ticking along but I had a bit of a reality check a couple of days ago.
If you want to find out how well the prep is for the finish coat of paint, well, just paint it with gloss then stand back under good lighting and look at all the bits you missed or didn't quite sand enough.

IMG-9477.jpgIMG-9475.jpg

She was looking alright in the shady spot but then on closer inspection under decent lighting...well...
I knew that undercoat went on too thick and you think you've sanded out all the brush marks.
So, big sand, a slightly thinned undercoat, this time with a foam tipped finish, fine sand, a couple of top coats and don't rush...that should do it...hopefully.

Cheers,
Mike.

[Max F]

Isn´t it allways the same? When you rush, it takes more work and time in the end.
Anyway the white looks stunning.

Cheers Max

[Mike1902]

Isn´t it allways the same? When you rush, it takes more work and time in the end.
Anyway the white looks stunning.

Cheers Max

You are spot on there, Max.
It has added time but it was a blessing in disguise.
The top coat plus the boat being upside down exposed a couple of flat spots along the top strake.
A smear of 410 microlight, fast hardener and a heater took care of that last night.
Faired this morning, primed at lunchtime, baked this afternoon and undercoated this evening.

IMG-9483 (1).jpgIMG-9485.jpg

The under coat was thinned a little, then rolled and tipped. A much improved coat surface which should sand up quite nicely without removing to much paint.
The colour difference between the undercoat white and Dutch White is quite noticeable.

IMG-9486.jpg

Will give it about twenty hours in a warm room, then hit it with some 320 grit.

Cheers,
Mike.

[Mike1902]

Well, after dealing with a few strake edge fairing issues, the top coats went on, and on, and on.
What is it with paint when you cannot quite achieve the quality of the finish of that first coat, even after a thorough sanding between coats.

IMG-9493.jpgIMG-9491.jpg

Build up of strake edge with 410 fairing.
There were a couple or three of these that slipped by the quality controller.
These required sanding, filling, fairing, sealing, priming, undercoating before the top coat could go on.

IMG-9547.jpgIMG-9528.jpg

The boat was painted upside down.
After the fourth...or was it the the fifth (attempt) coat, the decision was made to stop and that though it may not be up to Max F standards, , I figured that one would not see any runs, sags or drag marks sitting inside the boat.
Actually, I put the coats on quite thin, so it needed a few to give it some build, even so, despite my best efforts with the sandpaper, those pesky sag lines seem to like making their presence known.
Strategic lighting and camera angles have hidden these well in the above images.

The photo of the starboard bow is where the strakes were built up to remove the flat section in the forward hull area.

Tomorrow, after removing a few paint marks under the waterline, the lifting supports will come off for the last time and the top rubbing strakes will be steamed to fit.

The deck has also been painted with the Dutch white.

IMG-9500.jpg

Decided against using the flattener as the weave tends to dull the gloss anyway, plus what gloss there is highlights the weave a little more.

Cheers,
Mike.

[epoxyboy]

Three coats of 207/105 epoxy plus eight coats of varnish on the rubbing strakes.
Kauri, with it's long straight grain can look a bit bland at times but when the light angles are right, it brings out a lovely fleck it the timber.

IMG-9440.jpgIMG-9441.jpg

Beautiful, but I think we'll detect a great disturbance in the force, the first time those do their job .

Pete

[Mike1902]

Beautiful, but I think we'll detect a great disturbance in the force, the first time those do their job .

Pete

Yeah, maybe, but I'm hoping that the multiple layers of bubble wrap yet to be applied will help soften the blow.

Cheers,
Mike.

[Mike1902]

Before the lifting brackets were removed, the dagger board case was installed.
Hoisting the dinghy onto it's beam ends allowed for easy access to the slot in the keel for sanding and later removing the adhesive sealant.
It also meant the case could be fit onto the studs and the nuts tightened without leaning into the boat.

IMG-9548.jpgIMG-9550.jpg

The DB case bedlog perimeter shape was taped up, as well as around the bedlog itself.
A sandable adhesive sealant, (black near the slot and white toward the outer edges of the base) was applied to the taped area.
The groove around the slot matches another in the base of the case which when filled with sealant should act like an O ring.
The case was then slid into position and the nuts tightened to a point where the sealant squeezed evenly out from under the bedlog.
The nuts were not firmly tightened, this was done 24 hours later once the sealant had cured and then nipped up to compress the rubbery gasket and O ring.

IMG-9558.jpgIMG-9560.jpg

Some of the black sealant had managed to make it's way to the outer edge, hence the slight grey discolouration of the white sealant.
The sealant was left to cure overnight and the excess was trimmed off the following day with a sharp blade (shown above in the right image, stuck to the masking tape).
This made for a clean exercise and then the thin exposed edge was painted to finish.

IMG-9579.jpg

The squeeze out inside the case was also cut with a sharp blade, which left a nice clean finish along the join.
The stainless washers, acorn nuts and threaded studs will be coated with LanoCote closer to the launch date.

[Max F]

Thougt through in every detail.
Man I love these different perspectives like the boat hanging sideways.
It gives a good impression how beautyfull that little dinghy is.
By the way, that made my morning coffee even betten again.
cheers
Max

[Mike1902]

Thougt through in every detail.
Man I love these different perspectives like the boat hanging sideways.
It gives a good impression how beautyfull that little dinghy is.
By the way, that made my morning coffee even betten again.
cheers
Max

Thanks Max, enjoy that coffee.
The camera angles certainly play with the proportions a bit.
Here's one from the other end.

IMG-9549.jpg

I like these two angles as well.
IMG-9566.jpgIMG-9567.jpg

Double checking the DB fit after installing the case and fairing the slot.

Cheers,
Mike.

[Geftb]

What an awesome little ship!
must be good seeing the final stages coming together
cheers
steve

[Mike1902]

What an awesome little ship!
must be good seeing the final stages coming together
cheers
steve

Thanks Steve.
Yes, I'm beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel and it is also exciting to see everything coming together.
The cockpit coamings will be the last of the more time consuming woody tasks to complete on the hull.
Also, looking forward to getting into the spars, rigging and hardware.

Cheers,
Mike.


The upper rubbing strakes have now been epoxied on and given three coats of 207/epoxy in readiness for varnishing.

IMG-9591.jpgIMG-9606.jpg

The strakes were rebated along the back edge, this rebate sat on the ledge of the rebate along the outwhale.
This gave a uniform quarter round reveal along the deck edge.

The scroll designs for the fore and aft trail boards have been completed and stencils made.

IMG-9618.jpgIMG-9620.jpgIMG-9619.jpg

These scroll shapes will be carved into the trail boards, then painted with a nice contrasting colour, which is still being decided on.

Cheers,
Mike.

[KenStocker]

Love that scroll work! One of the many classy accents that will set her apart. You will absolutely never get away from the dock because of the crowd!

Ken

[Alan71]

Hello Mike,

Each of your photos shows more beautiful work.
Your skills seem to have no limit!

Alan

[Mike1902]

Love that scroll work! One of the many classy accents that will set her apart. You will absolutely never get away from the dock because of the crowd!

Ken

Thanks ,Ken.
I enjoy talking to people about their boats and the work they have completed to make it look just so.
No doubt there will be questions and opinions regarding the dinghy and I will look forward to the conversations.

Cheers,
Mike.

Hello Mike,

Each of your photos shows more beautiful work.
Your skills seem to have no limit!

Alan

Thank you very much, Alan.
My gardening skills are somewhat limited.
There has been a lot of trial and error over the years but often it is just a case of having a go and sometimes you surprise yourself with the result.
This scroll work is a case in point.
The second scroll took half the time of the first and came out a little neater.
It was a case of adjusting the method and the tools used.
Initial carving was completed with a small V chisel followed by a Dremel with various sized ball grinders.
Fillers and paint are wonderful things if adjustments need to be made.

Cheers,
Mike.

IMG-9632.jpgIMG-9634.jpg

[Mike1902]

The top rubbing strakes have had eight coats of varnish, all applied with the 2K quick dry additive plus thinners as per data sheet.
The epoxy sealer coat was sanded briefly with 120# then finished with with 240#.
First two coats applied thinned 30%, then allowed to dry overnight.
Four coats followed, thinned 25%, all applied through the day, approximately 3 hours between coats.
Overnight cure, then sanded with 320# and two more coats applied to finish.
An angled 25mm wide synthetic bristled cut in brush was used.

IMG-9714.jpg

The sheer strake was primed then given two more undercoats, should be ready to sand tomorrow.
I always apply primer with a brush because I feel it makes for a better initial adhesion compared to a roller.
The undercoats were rolled however for a more evenly textured surface to make sanding easier.

Had the paint for the scrolls and pin stripe mixed up today by a local paint supplier.

IMG-9718.jpg

Red currant.

[WX]

I would like to say I'm working to the same standard, but I'd be lying.

[Mike1902]

I would like to say I'm working to the same standard, but I'd be lying.

We're just marching to the beat of our own drums, Gary.
The tempos may be different but I think we will both be happy with the fruits of our labour.
That is my idiom and phrase quota for the day.

Cheers,
Mike.


While I have been waiting for paint to dry, I looked up the price of through deck bushes.
These things.

alloy-deck-bush-long-1410913.jpg
Well, at $20 a pop that idea went out the window.

So I made a few out of some copper pipe reducing fittings that were way cheaper (free).

IMG-9712.jpgIMG-9704.jpg

There are two different sizes with an internal diameter of 12mm (1/2 ") and 8 mm (5/16 ").
The large dia end was reduced by about 2/3rds then the fitting annealed.
The copper was then placed in a SS tube and the end peined over to form a rolled flange.
It was then removed, careful tapping on the flange while rotating the fitting resulted in a fully rolled end.

The idea is to use them on the deck for the Dyneema chain plates, the coamings for various lines and through the stem for a Dyneema soft shackle at the base of the bobstay.

[Mike1902]

A bit of a contrast.

IMG-9381 (3).jpg
IMG-9765.jpg

Second coat on this evening, scroll and sheer stripe highlights to come.

Patterns made for the cockpit coamings, these will be joined together to make one length, each length will do half the cockpit.
Four lengths will be made, then laminated together to form a coaming about 10mm (3/8) thick.

IMG-9758.jpgIMG-9757.jpg

The black painted board the patterns are sitting on is a Kauri plank.
This will provide the full lengths required for the coamings plus a quarter round along the base of the coaming and a capping.

Cheers,
Mike.

IMG-9775 (1).jpg



One more to use up the file.

[KenStocker]

Love love love that swirling detail at the bow!! More of the beautiful work we've come to expect.

Ken


































1

[Mike1902]

Love love love that swirling detail at the bow!! More of the beautiful work we've come to expect.

Ken
1

Thanks ,Ken.
It was a fun detail to do.
The tricky part now is to paint some colour into the scroll recesses in a flowing manner without wobbly edges.
That will happen next week, I'm off up to Auckland this afternoon to the boatyard of Peter Brookes. Helping him set up the yard for the open day this Saturday.
Photos forthcoming of the various projects that are being undertaken there.

White paint and varnish, a look that never gets old...for those that like varnish.

IMG-9783.jpg

Cheers,
Mike.

[Max F]

What a lovely sight!
I´m curious how your deck bushes will work. That was a brilliant idea mate.
I wonder how good they resist chafe from the ropes.

Cheers Max

[Mike1902]

What a lovely sight!
I´m curious how your deck bushes will work. That was a brilliant idea mate.
I wonder how good they resist chafe from the ropes.

Cheers Max

Thanks Max.
The deck bushes will guide the Dyneema shroud (maybe two shrouds per side) through the deck which will then belay around a cleat fixed to one of the underside deck blockings.
I am more concerned about the staining that could occur from the oxides.The chafe not so much.
I have however come across a number of brass bushes, from a dismantled exercise machine of all things, that may be better suited.

Cheers,
Mike.

[Mike1902]

4D511231-65C3-4B0F-B0BD-2BC7D6821D02.jpgCCA39047-CBA3-4841-BEC3-38C9E72B66ED.jpg
Currently at Peter Brookes boatyard helping prep for the open day tomorrow.
The boats pictured in the top photo are from left to right, the new build 50 ft pilot cutter (all Kauri frames ,keel, and planking), the 1960 38 ft teak planked Fife “Impala” and the 1905 Logan “Rawhiti”, which has featured a bit in this thread and is now in for a bit of winter maintenance.

Cheers,Mike.

[Max F]

Oh man, I have a weak spot for pilot cutters.
Seems like I will visit England in autumn.
Hope I'll find time to see some of them.
Cheers
Max

[Mike1902]

Oh man, I have a weak spot for pilot cutters.
Seems like I will visit England in autumn.
Hope I'll find time to see some of them.
Cheers
Max

Here you go, Max.
A few photos of the big timbers used in the 50 ft pilot cutter.
Full length double sawn frames with 1/2 inch copper rivets holding them together.
The frames are approx 200mm square.
All timber used is Kauri.

IMG-9815.jpgIMG-9813.jpgIMG-9816.jpgIMG-9814.jpgIMG-9788.jpg

The boat is under new ownership, so work will resume soon.

Cheers,
Mike.

[Max F]

Thanks a lot Mike.
How beautifull!

Cheers Max

[Larks]

Oh man, I have a weak spot for pilot cutters.
Seems like I will visit England in autumn.
Hope I'll find time to see some of them.
Cheers
Max

I’ma bit of a Pilot Cutter tragic too Max, so I think that you might have a duty to seek a few out and share them with us when you’re there.

The frames are approx 200mm square.
All timber used is Kauri.

IMG-9814.jpg
.

That just bought an audible groan seeing that timber in those frames Mike - absolutely stunning. I recall seeing pic’s of the start of this build but it seems some time ago - did JB perhaps post some? Either way I will really look forward to seeing her progress. Any idea if she’ll stay in NZ? I gather Peter has quite a few international clients all corners of the world so won’t be surprised if it skips country........

[WX]

Yeah, Pilot Cutters do it for me.

[Mike1902]

I’ma bit of a Pilot Cutter tragic too Max, so I think that you might have a duty to seek a few out and share them with us when you’re there.



That just bought an audible groan seeing that timber in those frames Mike - absolutely stunning. I recall seeing pic’s of the start of this build but it seems some time ago - did JB perhaps post some? Either way I will really look forward to seeing her progress. Any idea if she’ll stay in NZ? I gather Peter has quite a few international clients all corners of the world so won’t be surprised if it skips country........

The new owner is a Melburnian, Greg.
Good chance she'll be gracing the waters of Port Philip Bay sometime in the future.

[Mike1902]

Yeah, Pilot Cutters do it for me.

Had the privilege of living on a 40 ft pilot cutter called "Dolphin" for a couple of months back in '96, Gary.
The kiwi skipper and myself were delivering it around the various wooden boat festivals in England, Ireland and France for the owner.
Wonderful boats.

IMG-0423 (1).jpgIMG-0390.jpgIMG-0392.jpgIMG-0385.jpg

That last photo is Fastnet Rock on a good day, 10 knots of breeze and on course to the Isles of Scilly, we flew a gennaker that day.

Cheers,
Mike.

[WX]

Some people get really nice jobs.
One of mine was 3 weeks surveying the Capricornia group of islands off Gladstone QLD.