Portage Pram

[Andrew2]

Re: Portage Pram

I started reading this thread with interest and thought, great little boat . But the composite gunnels look a bit of an after thought and not a good one. While weight is important, I would use laminated wood. Maybe something light with a harder cap.

Very impressed by the efforts by Strom, Bruce and Dan.

[stromborg]

Re: Portage Pram

The original gunnel design is simply strips of plywood laminated to the sheer plank. After a summer of knocking about in the boat I am unsure what problem the new foam composite gunnel is solving.

[DBthal]

Re: Portage Pram

My 2 cents:

I would contact Josh Colvin and request good guidance from somebody at Duckworks or the designer. You shouldn’t be put in the position of trying to figure out how to work around a design modification without support.

Dan

[dbp1]

Re: Portage Pram

I was looking to see if there was another technique called out for the Scout (where they borrowed this from), and at least as done in these videos, doesn't seem like it... https://youtu.be/LBrrh3Okoms?t=1521 So not sure if they are going to suggest anything in particular...

[DBthal]

Re: Portage Pram

We can see in the video that the builder rounded the gunnel edges and put fillets where the gunnels meet the hull.

[DBthal]

Re: Portage Pram

Bruce & Bob,

Are there any updates? I’m sure it would help future Portage Pram builders.

[Bruce Bateau]

Re: Portage Pram

I took a little break on this to enjoy spring for a bit... and now back to the shop:

I didn't want to start all over, so I didn't remove the foam, figuring I could always do it later. I did remove all of the fiberglass from the inside of the top strakes, to the top of the inwale cap. I sanded down the wooden corners of the gunwale cap to make them a bit more rounded.

I then turned the boat on its side and coated the bottom of the foam with a layer of epoxy, added a generous fillet of thickened epoxy between the inside strake and the bottom of the foam. I wrapped several small pieces of fiberglass over the foam/wood inwale interface, just touching the fillet. I added more glass over any remaining rounded wood corners.

That seems to be holding and am now pretty much done with epoxy work.

The gunwales are a bit lumpy, but I think structurally sound. My friend Dan put it in perspective. He said that when he built his first dinghy, it was furniture grade. Then he parked it at the dinghy dock and every other boat beat up on it- scraped it, dinked it, etc. He said mine would get that way soon too and the best thing I could do was have a sturdy, non-cosmetic finish, which is where I'm headed.

I bought some Marshal's Cove marine paint in satin and am looking forward to getting it on the boat.

As noted above, if I was going to give any advice to future builders of this design, it would be to build up several strips of marine ply instead of the foam.

-Bruce

[Bruce Bateau]

Re: Portage Pram

I rounded up some lumber yard grade red cedar and am going to start working on some 6.5' oars to go with the pram. I'm going with the Pete Culler style. Varnish with some nice painted tips.

There are some nice step by step photos by Timeless Boatworks here.

-Bruce

[DBthal]

Re: Portage Pram

Thanks Bruce!

[DBthal]

Re: Portage Pram

Interesting article on the Portage Pram:

https://www.insidewaters.com/making-new-portage-pram-oars-soothes-the-soul/

[Bruce Bateau]

Re: Portage Pram

FYI to future builders. I primed the boat this weekend. It took almost an entire quart!

[Bflat]

Just got her done.
Bob

[DBthal]

Congratulations Bob - Looks good! I hope she works well for you.

[Bruce Bateau]

IMG_20230730_093934_029.webp
My pram had a pleasant two week voyage through the San Juans and into British Columbia recently. It was well behaved and performed admirably. It also got along well with kayaks. 😁

I didn't follow the ultralight ethos of the manual, adding things like bronze oarlocks. Total weight of boat is 43 pounds. What do others weigh?

[DBthal]

Bruce,

My Portage Pram weighs 48 lbs. with bronze fittings, beefed up construction, & gunwale guard.

It is still very easy to carry at that weight. We use the pram to row ashore to rugged Maine islands for a hike or from a mooring to a dinghy dock (which can be like a mosh pit for boats). So, the heavier build works for us.

Dan

P.S. - hope you post a write up of your two week cruise. I enjoy reading about your adventures.