Lillistone's "Fleet" build

[gray duck]

This is a father-son build. Intended use is in South Carolina marshes mostly. Hope to keep boat on a jet dock so it can be used frequently.
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Bought 1/4" okoume ply from Boulter Plywood in Mass.
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Scarphing with planes
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[gray duck]

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sorry about pic flip
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next step glue up. Build progress will likely be unpredictable with school etc and I am going to try not to be foreman/boss... or worse secret boatbuilder on my own time... need luck with those two goals.

[Rich Jones]

Looks like a good start.
The Fleet was on my short list of next boat to build.
Jericho Bay skiff won out because I needed more beam.
I'll be following!

[leaotis]

Thanks for the pics. I'll be following.

[gray duck]

As I said this will be slow progress cause my boat building buddy is a junior in high school. He is enjoying the build so far.
We have finished with the scarfs (3:1) and are ready to start cutting the shapes out. Right now it's just flat pieces of ply and I can see the boat's form and the end result but I am looking forward to his reaction when it starts coming together.
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[gray duck]

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[gray duck]

now ready for cutting
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[gray duck]

slow progress but panels are all cut out and faired
these sawhorses have provided a great work surface 4'x16'

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[gray duck]

We have to cut transom out next and then start wiring. Definitely fun working with a partner - especially with measuring.
The dremel saw is fast and safe to use for this type of cutting and the 6mm ply planes down easily to the line. Tip: it's easier to cut with the blade to the right of the line so you don't get too close.

[pez_leon]

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Well, now I know why they're called lofting ducks! These are neat. Did you make them yourself? I also dig the use of the Dremel saw. I have been casually looking for a used 5 1/2" panel saw for years now and somehow never find any. New models are surprisingly expensive. That thing might be just the ticket.
Great to see a multigenerational project. Keep us posted!

James

[gray duck]

I made the ducks and also some other birds - just having fun with it. I think the expression is "having all your ducks in a row"
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soft clay models -plaster molds - let dry COMPLETELY (couple weeks) so absolutely no moisture - and pour lead. solid brass cup hooks. fun side project and lots of uses.

[gray duck]

update. More introduction to tools and techniques and SAFETY
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all bulkheads and transom have been cut and shaped
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transom sandwich glued and screwed
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[gray duck]

16' x 4' table is gone - I'm gonna miss that thing
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So now we need to attach the natural lumber (cleats) to the bulkheads and then bring in the "boat building box"
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and see if we can wire these pieces together.

[gray duck]

Made cradle from plans for stations 3 and 8 and mounted on 8' long boat-building box
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wired bottom panels after beveling inside edges as per designer's recs
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unfolding always cool
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[gray duck]

as designer states - lots of tension in getting that plywood to twist 90 degrees. And more to come as we were about to find out.
side panels went togethebr /> 20201110_161327.jpg
and then kind of daunting task of getting them from ground to position
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[gray duck]

We put the transom on
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And with the help of some European sawhorses and clamps we but the topsides on
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[Rich Jones]

I was considering a Devlin stitch and glue design but then realized the difficulty of handling the long floppy panels all by myself (at age 67).
It's great that this is a father/son project and you have each other to help out.
I built my first boat when I was your son's age oh so many decades ago.
Tell him we're proud of him for taking on this project with you.

[gray duck]

The next task of wiring the chine was fascinating and worrisome at the same time - really it was worrisome and then fascinating. Before the topsides are stiched to the hull the bulkheads #3 and #2 look very off in that #2 looks too short like the foredeck will not be level and will drain forward not and the foredeck pieces are not close to being right . Did we measure wrong? So, to those building this skiff, the designer gives good advice about lifting the aft aspects of the topside panels so the wiring can progress from bow to stern and as this is done the bow gets lifted up and the foredeck levels out. But not without a fight and some sweat.
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[Liberty53]

Great work! Thanks for posting, I'll be watching. I think Fleet is wicked sweet boat. Light, efficient, and fast (she'll feel fast for sure!).

What are you going to power her with?

-Derek

Scamp #169

[gray duck]

My vote was for a 6hp but son vote was for more power so went with yam 9.9. Per designer boat is CG rated for a 25 but really is probably better with a 4 or six.

[Liberty53]

SWEET! I'm with your son, that thing is going to rip around!

I assume it'll be nice to keep as much weight forward as possible. Maybe battery, extra fuel, and anchor stowed forward?

as for trying not to be 'secret boat builder' when your son is gone, I'm sure he won't mind if you are a 'secret boat sander' when he's gone ; )

-Derek

scamp #169

[gray duck]

True words - sanding help - a never refused commodity always in short supply.
Tip (possibly) for future builders - the 18 gauge copper wire is not strong enough in all areas of stitching - at least that's my opinion. I found some galvanized steel wire in 18 gauge that seems more appropriate. Had to jack up boat to take out some copper ties and replace to close center gap
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waiting patiently (not really) for my student helper to finish closing the sides
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Here's my build partner in a recent off topic but on the water pic in my Devlin Cackler which I built in 1999
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sorry for neck twist - what I've learned is to try to avoid vertical shots for posting as they always flip.

[gray duck]

Well it's the unofficial beginning of spring in the Low Country - Bluebirds are back to tending and defending their nest box and after months of rain it only took one warm sunny Friday to have 80% of boat owners in the area washing down their boats in the driveway.
Slow progress over the winter and now with warmer epoxy-setting-temps we are motivated to pick up the pace.
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fitting bulkheads
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spotwelding with peel ply
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[gray duck]

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We decided to move #3 bulkhead aft to allow for dry stowage of shotguns etc
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So needed to cut and fit new foredeck
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fillets on bulkhead using peel ply
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Dry fit with benches
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[Liberty53]

YES!!!

Nice work.
Tick stick tick is cool.

Maybe the most Bad ass Fleet around, with shot gun storage and all.



Nice moves Dad.


-Derek

[dbp1]

Peel ply fillets look really nice. Been wondering if I should bite the bullet and get some, but haven't yet...

[Autonomous]

Good job, dad!

[gray duck]

Not too much to update. With warmer weather also comes SATs and semi-formals so my partner has a lot on his mind. Springtime.
We put fillets on the overhanging transom edge
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Started glassing the chines inside
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[gray duck]

Using the piping bags for the fillets
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This is what the bag looks like empty
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Filling it was not easy to start with but I now put the empty bag in a funnel and it is easy to put the thickened epoxy inside neatly
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[gray duck]

Side project has been the oars-
glue up with TB 3 8' 2x6s
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then rip those and mix and match and glue again
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[gray duck]

This next part was a little daunting I must say. My bandsaw and I were not up for the task so went manual for a lot of it
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Did use electric planer to get to this stage
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Here's an interesting shot those lines go from 5/8 near the camera to 2.25" at far end
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This may be an exercise in futility as I know the wood is not great and they very well may break but if I need to make some more I will feel justified in using better wood when that time comes. What I'm doing is in line with the article in WB - namely using standard lumber and glue and TIME.
Azaleas about to bloom here. Shad have been running for awhile.
Full Sails and Tight Lines!

[Stormp]

I wouldn't worry much about the wood strength...I have several years of heavy use on oars built from a couple of SPF 1*6s. You can hardly get cheaper.

They work great.

[rbgarr]

I made the ducks and also some other birds - just having fun with it. I think the expression is "having all your ducks in a row"
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Other origins of 'ducks in a row' term: https://kisscasper.com/where-did-the...riginate-poll/

[Jeff NC]

Looking good! Thanks for sharing your progress. The Fleet is my top contender as I look for a rowing and small outboard skiff — are there other designs you seriously considered?

[gray duck]

I'm not sure how well this will row but I will report when we try it out. I know Ross says First Mate rows better. Fleet is more for outboard.