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Send items to chuck.leinweber@gmail.com for inclusion here next month.

The Treasure Chest

The Treasure Chest is a place in Reports to put those cool sailing, cruising, motoring, boatbuilding or boating tips you have. Send us your ideas... We just need a photo and a short description.

This time we have...

How to Make a Name Plate

Step 1 Choose a name

Step 2 Choose another name (or have another one chosen for you).

Step 3 Go through the list of 300 names you have chosen and argue about it for a while and then settle on a final name.

Step 4 Pick out your name plate (Here I have a piece of pine which I will trim down in size later)

Step 5 Print out the name you have chosen in a size befitting the name plate, in a font befitting the name. For the Ollie Punt I used Gabrielle.

Unfortunately, if you let yourself go on the internet looking at places like www.dafont.com, picking a font is almost as difficult as picking a name.

Step 6 Cut the name out of the paper and glue it to the name plate using a cheap/water soluble glue like a glue stick.

Step 7 Take a rotary tool or a set of carving tools and cut out your choice of either the black bits or the white bits. Being lazy, I carved away the black bits.

Step 8 Wash, sand or scrape off excess paper.

Step 9 Tidy up, trim, decorate and paint. I used a bit of pencil to darken in the carving and a bit of varnish.

Step 10 Attach to boat.

Step 11 Put boat in water.

Step 12 Put person in boat.

Yes, it is a white Ollie Punt.

Ian Titulaer

Using Masking Tape When Fibreglassing

Warren Messer has a great tip for fibreglassing. He lays down a line of masking tape to give a clean edge to the glass when finished. You put the masking tape down so the fibreglass overlaps the masking tape. Fibreglass normally but, while the glass is still green, run a knife along the edge of the glass at the masking tape line. Remove masking tape and excess glass. You are left with a rough edge which can be easily removed. Here is his video on how to do it:

Warren's plans are available at Duckworks here. The rest of Warren's videos are here.


Tender Behinds in England

Retired airline Pilot and small boat enthusiast Mike Austen is busy building two stretched to 8ft long Tender Behind sailing dinks , one for himself, and one for Daughter Sherry. His one will eventually become the tender for a bigger boat planned, but in the meantime, to avoid the snow and sleet that covers his backyard near Bristol UK he has brought TB number one into the conservatory at the back of his house, and is contentedly getting on with the build of number one.

He sent me two pics of the boat as at today, Sherry wanted to see how it felt in the boat so has climbed in. While the wide angle lens on the camera does odd things to the proportions Mike is already getting compliments about the looks and the amazing amount of space in such a small boat. As we sell a lot of Tender Behind plans I figured that it was worth showing the little boat off and mentioning that for those interested in the design He’s documented the build on his website at https://www.backyardboatbuilding.org.uk/ .

John Welsford


Regatta at Lake Arthur

"Events for Puddle Duck Racers will be included in this year’s Regatta at Lake Arthur, to be held on August 7-8. The lake can be found in Moraine State Park some 25 miles North of Pittsburgh. The traditional "Anything That Floats" event will be modified this year in that entries will be based on Puddle Duck Racer Hulls and there will be prizes for beautiful, artistic or outrageous additions to the basic hull. There will also be a race with a "Le Mans Style" Start. For further information or notification of intent to participate, please contact the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau. joey@visitbutlercounty.com You are invited to enter these events, watch the Saturday evening fireworks, generally join in the fun and enjoy all that this Pennsylvania Park has to offer. Several nearby campgrounds are available."

The plans for the PDRs below are available at Duckworks. Jim Michalak has just finished his PDR Catbox plans with a lateen rig.

Oz PDRacer (Mik Storer)
Kiwi PDR (John Welsford)
Catbox PDR (Jim Michalak)

 


Long Tail

Picture taken on a motorcyclist's trip thru southern India.

Bruce Armstrong


Finally done the Drake

I have completed making David Beede's OS John boat from the Simplicity Boat's page. This boat I call the Drake and it has given me a tough time. Now that it's done, I like it a lot.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/47291288@N07/

Lessons learned;
1.) Don't buy the cheap 3 layer luan plywood even though it is marked as "Moisture resistant" - it is not. I refer to the very lightweight luan for $10.99 a sheet with 2 thin layers of veneer sandwiching some type of soft spongy material that seems like balsa or pulp. Spring for the $19 per sheet premium underlayment warranted for 25 years.

2.) Don't try to build a ply-on-frame jon boat from stitch-n-glue plans. The compound angles where the front transom and sides and bottom come together are impossible to calculate. This type of shape should be kept stitch-n-glue.

3.) Do apply a basic camo paint job, makes you want to awaken your inner sportsman

4.) Do buy some new fishing gear and a cooler.

Thanks
Kenny in Philly


Proa

Hi Chuck!

I'm back! I am sending you some photos from the transportation from my garden. Thanks to good neighbors, it worked perfectly. I hope the pictures are good.

Greetings Willi


Boat building...


Lucas Boatworks and Happy Hour Club

I apologize for this flurry of emails lately. A lot of things are going on here at the shop that interest me so I assume you'll be interested also. First is the 20 ft kayak that Sam just finished. This is one slick boat. There's no substitute for hull length, that's what Sam said when I told him how easily this boat slipped through the water. It's also very stable, you can step into it without tipping over. Things slowed down after the bear got in but it still went very well. Abigail is a big yellow Lab who's on a green bean diet to get her slim figure back by Cedar Key. This boat will be at Cedar Key on May 1 along with all of you. Next is Helen Marie hanging up ready for the inside glass job.

Dave

David Lucas
Lucas Boatworks and Happy Hour Club
(941) 704-6736


Lissa

Since December, we have been working on Lissa/Otter. The picture below is the most recent. As you may recall, I decided to used the dimensions and scantlings from Lissa but the more current all plywood construction as in Jacques Mertans Otter.

Instead of the timber frames that Lissa shows, you can see that I used plywood. I used the 6 oz diagonal bias tape on the seams and 12 oz diagonal bias fabric on the hull inside. This schedule is very similar to the Vagabond. I am using the System 3 resin and also QuikFair, both nice products. We are building the boat in an unheated barn and the cold temperatures slowed up the building process. I hope to finish before the temperatures get excessively hot.

With suggestions from Jacques Mertans, I decided to construct the boat in a basket mold. I first used the mold technique to build Pepita and then again for Just Right. This time, I made use of a laser level to set up the frames. Now that I am nearing the halfway point, errors usually build up. I am amazed that the frames and panels are still level and plumb as close as I can detect with a bubble level and tape. I expect that if I had just cut and taped I might be farther along. I was able to construct the mold in a little more than a weekend. It places the boat at a convenient working level and makes cutting all those extra parts easier.

Looking at the picture, I have a hard time remembering that Lissa and Pepita have nearly the same mid cross-section. Lissa looks a lot bigger. As you remember, I submitted an entry in the Duckworks Puget Sound Cruiser contest which was based on the Lissa. This is a chance to validate my submission.

I really appreciate the fine quality of Joe Dobler's plans. I can tell that he thought through lots of the details. Since Joe built the boat and kept it many years, I think he liked the end product.

BTW, I see that you added a B&W photo of assembling the Pepita. Unless I am mistaken, the bald guy is Joe and the young journeyman is me. I liked the write-up.

Justin Pipkorn


Clint Chase Boatbuilder
US Agent for François Vivier Architecte Naval;
Brings CNC Boat Kits to New Boat Builders

 

Portland, Maine –Clint Chase is pleased to announce that Clint Chase Boatbuilder will now be a US agent for precision cut boat kits for François Vivier, a prolific designer of ships, yachts, and traditional small craft in France. Additionally, Clint Chase is contracting with other designers around the world to bring new boats and CNC (Computer Numerically Cut) boat kits to our market for the first time. Vivier’s design work is iconic in France and other EU countries and is bound to become equally iconic to the wooden boatbuilding and boat kit industry in North America.

We are also providing CNC kits to designs by Michael Storer, from Adelaide, Australia, Eric Risch, from Gardner, Maine, and we are in talks with designers in the UK, Finland, and New Zealand. CNC cutters in Maine will be employed to cut the kits and ship them by freight. Cutters in North Carolina and soon Texas will also be employed in the greater effort to get kits into the hands of builders around the country.

Clint has been cutting kits for several months, but is impressed by the interest in CNC boat kits by potential customers, the wooden boat community, and designers whom he has contacted. About a recent kit delivery, a customer in Houston, Texas said, “[the Goat Island Skiff] is a very nice kit overall. I looked at the wood grain pattern of the tank tops and transom, a very nice selection! The crate shows that you care about the things you build. Everything was well packed and labeled.”

"I applaud Clint's approach to bring international boat designers' kits to the North American market. There are so many creative ideas for small boats around the globe and Clint is approaching this in just the right way. We all wish him well. At the WoodenBoat Show[www.thewoodenboatshow.com] this year (June 25-27, at Mystic Seaport, CT), we are taking a new approach to Family BoatBuilding [www.familyboatbuilding.com]. For the first time, we will be inviting independent kit-producing companies to exhibit and to teach families and groups how to build their own boats. Clint was one of the first to contact us, and we are delighted that he will be building the Echo Bay Dory Skiff with a number of families. Clint is the consummate teacher, and we are excited to have him helping us."
---Carl Cramer, publisher of Wooden Boat Magazine and Professional Boatbuilder

Clint Chase is a graduate of The Landing School of Boatbuilding and Design in Kennebunkport, Maine. He started Clint Chase Boatbuilder after four years running youth boatbuilding programs. The three pillars of the business are: ultra-light, wooden masts and spars (“Birdsmouth” spars for sailboats), custom wood and composite oars, and precision-cut, CNC Boat Kits. In the US, there is a growing popularity and demand for CNC plywood kits for exceptional motor, sail, and rowboat designs from 8-28 feet. However, there are only a few kit providers in the market from which customers can choose and none that are reaching out to designers abroad to bring their beautiful boats to the US market. For more information please visit clintchaseboatbuilder.com and come see our exhibit (building #2, display 19) at the 2010Maine Boatbuilders Show [www.portlandcompany.com/boatShow/] (March 19-21st at The Portland Company Complex in Portland, Maine).

Birdsmouth Masts & Spars

Custom Wood and Composite Oars

CNC Boat Kits for row, sail, and power boat


DuraSafe Coupler Connect

Product of the Week: DuraSafe Coupler Connect™

Friday March 5, 2010

DuraSafe Coupler Connect™ is an easy-to-use trailer alignment device that also offers optional protection against accidental trailer uncoupling.

Coupler Connect™ eliminates the problems many people have with trying to hook up a trailer by locating the trailer coupling directly over the ball without the need of assistance – and prevents damage to the tow vehicle. A unique mounting bracket (fits standard 1” diameter ball shanks) accommodates a wide range of couplers and ball mounts and allows for maximum turning radius. MSRP $39.99.

DuraSafe Coupler Connect™ plus Protect offers the same advantages as the Coupler Connect but also includes a separate, universal-fit hold down device that prevents the coupler from accidentally popping off the tow ball during travel. 1.) Use the guide plate accessory to align the coupler directly over the tow ball for easy hookup. 2.) Remove the guide plate and insert the protective hold down accessory to help prevent the coupler from accidentally popping off the tow ball during travel. The guide plate can also be used to secure the trailer to the tow vehicle when a padlock is used. MSRP $54.99.

More info: www.durasafelocks.com or call 1+262.544.5615.
DuraSafe – 1785 S. Johnson Road – New Berlin, WI 53146 USA


New Fiberglass Boat Repair Book

Fiberglass Boat Repairs Illustrated comprehensive guide
to major & minor repairs, finishing & painting


JAMESTOWN, RHODE ISLAND (USA) – Fiberglass Boat Repairs Illustrated, available at chandleries, bookstores and online this month, is a comprehensive guide to making repairs to a fiberglass boat and how to finish and paint those repairs.

Written by Roger Marshall, winner of numerous awards for marine technical and magazine writing and author of 14 nautical books, the nine chapters of Fiberglass Boat Repairs Illustrated cover: how a fiberglass boat is built, identifying hull damage; materials, tools and basic techniques; gelcoat restoration; making minor repairs; making major repairs; hull, keel and rudder fairing; identifying and making osmosis repairs; and finishing and painting a repair job. There is also an appendix on building a temporary Shrink Wrap™ shed in which to do boat repair work year-round.

With more than 200 pictures and drawings, the book shows repair projects as done by the author and other professional and amateur boat builders, from simply polishing the gelcoat or repairing a ding in the paint work, to much larger projects such as making a transom well guard to keep water from flooding over the transom. The most ambitious project is a complete hull and keel reconstruction on a boat that went aground and was seriously damaged.

Fiberglass Boat Repairs Illustrated (ISBN 978-0-07-154992-9, MHID 0-07-154992-7, ebook ISBN 978-0-07-154993-5) is published by International Marine/McGraw-Hill. Paperback, 192 pages. US $24.95.

******

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