So, the centerboard (as detailed in the plans) can be handled in a few different ways. For mine, I did this: I built it from three 1/4" plys. The center ply has a 12" x 12" hole in the middle of it (well, toward the bottom), which now holds a 12" x 12" x 1/4" slab of lead. I ordered the slab of lead here. I did not eat any of the lead.
I am using lead because Jack from the Wooden Boat Shop suggested it. He suggested it because of its unwillingness to rust. Jack is the man. Plus he has a kick-ass shop that you should visit if you're in the Nati.
I used West System 406 colloidal silica filler tonight to fill some small gaps in the frames. First time I have used epoxy for gap-filling. I'll need to go back and sand the areas fair, but overall it was a pretty clean and easy method, at least for these small gaps.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Epoxy
"Epoxy can make a boatbuilder out of anyone." - Tom Hyslop
Thank god. I picked up a 9" disc/6" belt sander recently, and prompty turned a straight 1" piece of mahogany (the centerboard cap cleat, AFTER it was epoxied to the case side) into something that more properly belongs in a Picasso. Oh well. That's what epoxy is for. It won't look pretty, but a little treatment with thickened epoxy will make the joint watertight, and that's the goal at the end of the day. Besides, the area will be tucked under the trunk cap, so it won't be seen. At least that's what I tell myself.
For those building her: Based on a comment I read on the Glen-L forum, I made a couple changes to the centerboard case. The changes are being made in response to a builder who noticed that, over time, the case sides began to warp, causing the centerboard to seize in the case (e.g. not deploy completely). So I did a couple things: 1.) use 3/8" plywood rather than 1/4" for the sides, and 2.) run diagonal braces on either side of the case. The "high" side of the diagonals are at the aft end of the case; it is through these braces that I will drill a hole for a pin that will be used to hold the centerboard in the "up" position when not in use. FYI, I am using 2.5" x 1" mahogany for the braces; I had really screwed up a couple cuts and ended up with some expensive scrapwood which I then ripped to width and used for the braces.
The change in width of the centerboard case concerns me slightly, because it will require an accompanying increase in the width of the void that needs to be cut into the keel to accommodate it. However, I am simply going to go with blind faith here. Blind faith and a TON of epoxy.
Thank god. I picked up a 9" disc/6" belt sander recently, and prompty turned a straight 1" piece of mahogany (the centerboard cap cleat, AFTER it was epoxied to the case side) into something that more properly belongs in a Picasso. Oh well. That's what epoxy is for. It won't look pretty, but a little treatment with thickened epoxy will make the joint watertight, and that's the goal at the end of the day. Besides, the area will be tucked under the trunk cap, so it won't be seen. At least that's what I tell myself.
For those building her: Based on a comment I read on the Glen-L forum, I made a couple changes to the centerboard case. The changes are being made in response to a builder who noticed that, over time, the case sides began to warp, causing the centerboard to seize in the case (e.g. not deploy completely). So I did a couple things: 1.) use 3/8" plywood rather than 1/4" for the sides, and 2.) run diagonal braces on either side of the case. The "high" side of the diagonals are at the aft end of the case; it is through these braces that I will drill a hole for a pin that will be used to hold the centerboard in the "up" position when not in use. FYI, I am using 2.5" x 1" mahogany for the braces; I had really screwed up a couple cuts and ended up with some expensive scrapwood which I then ripped to width and used for the braces.
The change in width of the centerboard case concerns me slightly, because it will require an accompanying increase in the width of the void that needs to be cut into the keel to accommodate it. However, I am simply going to go with blind faith here. Blind faith and a TON of epoxy.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
A change in plans
Well, Mikey D was going to visit us this weekend and help begin some assembly, but Owen's been sick so he wisely decided better of the trip. I think it will be a blessing in disguise, based on the couple hours of work I put in tonight. I would not have been ready for him this weekend. So hopefully he can make it down in the near future, and we'll get the frames, centerboard trunk, keel, stem and breasthook (and maybe transom) laid down. In the meantime I'll be working on all those things, and will hopefully be ready when Mikey can come down here.
On a completely unrelated note, Leinies Summer Shandy rules. That is, if you like wheat beer. And I do.
On a completely unrelated note, Leinies Summer Shandy rules. That is, if you like wheat beer. And I do.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Frame # 1
OK, so here's frame # 1. This is the second time I had used epoxy, and I didn't do a very neat job. I discovered very quickly that when using epoxy, it's important to be absolutely prepared before you mix the resin & hardener. Also, you must remain calm if (when) things don't turn out exactly as you would expect.
I'm going to try and sand some of the places where the epoxy spilled over into visible areas (e.g. when it got to where it didn't belong). Not sure if it matters, but I'm anal enough that it would make me feel better if it were gone. I'm not expecting this boat to be a masterpiece when it's done. The goal with this thing is to build a sailboat that floats and sails, and have some fun doing it. However, I'd like it to appear that I have SOME idea of what I'm doing.
I'm going to try and sand some of the places where the epoxy spilled over into visible areas (e.g. when it got to where it didn't belong). Not sure if it matters, but I'm anal enough that it would make me feel better if it were gone. I'm not expecting this boat to be a masterpiece when it's done. The goal with this thing is to build a sailboat that floats and sails, and have some fun doing it. However, I'd like it to appear that I have SOME idea of what I'm doing.
Garage updates
Our garage wasn't designed for woodworking, boatbuilding or cars. (Jen's car won't fit in there!) Dad came down one weekend and we made some updates. Without this extra storage space and accessibility, it's unlikely I'd be able to do anything really productive in there.
The form
The boat is built on a form, which basically serves as a foundation for the boat. The boat is built from the inside out, and as you might imagine, it's not very strong starting out. So the form serves to provide strength to the fledgling boat. The form, if properly constructed (which this was!), also serves as a perfectly level reference upon which the boat can be built.
The picture that follow illustrate, in no uncertain terms, the ridiculously small space in which this boat is being built. One of the trade-offs in living in an old house in a quasi-urban area.
The difference in tone between the bottom and the top of the form is due to the fact that I encapsulated the bottom of the form with epoxy (West epoxy, FYI). This was done because our garage occasionally takes on water, and the epoxy will protect the wood from the water.
The picture that follow illustrate, in no uncertain terms, the ridiculously small space in which this boat is being built. One of the trade-offs in living in an old house in a quasi-urban area.
The difference in tone between the bottom and the top of the form is due to the fact that I encapsulated the bottom of the form with epoxy (West epoxy, FYI). This was done because our garage occasionally takes on water, and the epoxy will protect the wood from the water.
About the boat
The boat I'm building is a 14' sloop, using plans I purchased through Glen-L.
Here's information on the specific boat, including pictures.
Here's information on the specific boat, including pictures.
Introduction
This is the story of my sailboat. I'm building a 14' sloop from plans by Glen-L. I'll try to keep this as up-to-date as possible so you can follow along on this journey.
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