New Boat For My Brother-LAST POST

[preacher]

My Brother, Rev TCF on the TKF forum, liked my Bumble Bee but he wants something shorter. He loves to fly fish and does some river fishing. He also is a wide body person like his older brother.

Well we collaberated and came up with this design, now my challenge is, "can I build it to look like this?" And, "will it float?"

First comes the measuring, marking and laying out. Egad! All the measurements work out first try!

I use these plastic cutting boards to keep joints smooth. I just apply a very thin film of Vaseline on the side to be exposed to resin and it works like a charm. I tried plastic sheeting and ended up with wrinkles, the cutting boards stop that.

So far so good.

 

[Wannabe]

Re: New Boat For My Brother Rev TCF

When the boat is finished who is going to try it out first? You or your brother? :?
Looks like you have a nice shop to work in. Is the roll around assembly benches working out as planned?
Bob

 

[a Bald Cypress]

Re: New Boat For My Brother Rev TCF

WOW, I would have thought that the vasoline would interfeer with the resin/epoxy when you put it on.

Learn sumthin new every day.

Nice boat.

 

[preacher]

Re: New Boat For My Brother Rev TCF

When the boat is finished who is going to try it out first? You or your brother? :?
Looks like you have a nice shop to work in. Is the roll around assembly benches working out as planned?
Bob

ME :cry:

The bench is working better than I hoped, it is great. The shop is brand new. Had it built for $3,995.00. 16 feet X 32 feet.

 

[preacher]

Re: New Boat For My Brother Rev TCF

WOW, I would have thought that the vasoline would interfeer with the resin/epoxy when you put it on.

Learn sumthin new every day.

Nice boat.

I'm sure too much would be bad. I apply a little dab and rub it with a rag to coat the entire surface of the cutting board, so it just leaves a film.

 

[JEM]

Re: New Boat For My Brother Rev TCF

nice looking hull. From the images, the back end might be a little tough to get the side panels to follow the shape. But that could just be the image and not reality.

 

[preacher]

Re: New Boat For My Brother Rev TCF

nice looking hull. From the images, the back end might be a little tough to get the side panels to follow the shape. But that could just be the image and not reality.

Thanks Matt. I am way ahead of the posted pics and yeah the drawing shows a more radical curved boattail than the build but not much. When I stitched it up it had a wonderful reaction, I immediately had 3 inches of rocker. I put all the measurements down in a lofting drawing in case this thing works out. I do know that it looks beautiful so far.

 

[preacher]

Re: New Boat For My Brother Rev TCF

Vacation just ended so progress will slow down now. But, got a lot done.

First side panel goes on.

Tying the wires . . . all 1 zillion of them

Tape goes on and top of side panels are braced at desired width

Look at the rocker on this puppy

Fillets went in fast this time, I used a new idea. Bought some refillable caulking tubes. Shortened one down to 5 inches long and put my fillet material in it and caulked the joints. Then used the rounded end of a Bondo black plastic stir stick to drag out excess and make the fillets uniform. Worked great and fast.

Cutting the wires and pulling out the popsicle miniture sticks

Taping the outside getting ready to fill the gaps

The beloved sanding process

I'm happy with these fillets

Placing the glass belt in the corners

6 oz cloth on the inside. Want this puppy to be strong.

She's bottom side up right now. Going to do the outside hull.

 

[preacher]

Re: New Boat For My Brother Rev TCF

Gotta do something while you watch the epoxy dry . . .

So I built the mount for my brother's boat and upgraded mine at the same time.

BASE IS LAMINATED WITH GLASS ON BOTH SIDES, MOUNT IS IMPREGNATED WITH RESIN, ALL IS WATERPROOF

MOUNT IS 5 INCHES HIGH, SEAT RAISES YOUR BUTTOCKS 9 INCHES OFF THE DECK

ADDING VELCRO TO SECURE BUT ALLOW ADJUSTMENTS

GOT TO BE MONOGRAMED!

 

[preacher]

Re: New Boat For My Brother Rev TCF

Got her turned over and starting on the hull.

Filling the outside gaps.

Smoothing and rounding the edges.

Edges are glassed.

Pre-fitting the cloth.

Glassed at last.

Skeg is glued in place and drying. This boat is so short and wide and has so much rocker I was afraid she would waddle when paddled.

Next comes 3 coats of Graphite resin on the bottom, then she goes back over for the bulkheads and decks.

 

[preacher]

Re: New Boat For My Brother-Graphite on Hull

Well, I thought I took photos of the fill coats and sanding but didn't. I finally managed to get to the first application of graphite resin on the hull. Got 2 more coats to go.

While waiting for the epoxy to dry I decided to cut some strips from the red cedar I bought and get ready for my rub rails and deck bracing. I wetted it down to check it's color and I'm really pleased.

 

[Kayak Jack]

Re: New Boat For My Brother-Graphite on Hull

Your friend will like that graphite, Preacher. Chuck introduced me to it a few years ago, and it has been a good addition to my boats.

 

[preacher]

Re: New Boat For My Brother-Graphite on Hull

Wish it would rain and cool off around here, heck it didn't rain one day last week and another one this week. Waiting for epoxy to cure is like watching hair grow. I actually had to watch the Cowboys play today, the whole game.

I have managed to turn this beauty over and start on the topside. Splicing some strips together for rubrails, measuring and cutting braces for the decks, cutting and measuring the bulkheads. Takes a while when you are engineering as you go. The Lord is kind because I haven't wasted any wood yet, but I'm moving like a snail . . . measuring 3-4 times before I cut . . . sometimes 5-6 times.

I'm also working with extension cords from the house to the shop. Too wet to get my electric conduit in the ground, but that's another sermon.

The Bottom graphite is finished, sitting her on her bottom and starting on the inside.

Just a small tease on the decks and bracing. Nothing glued in place yet, just fitted and taped for mock up. Seems to be square and true. This "Honey Bee" will have a 6 foot open cockpit and a watertight hatch front and rear.

The bow grabs will be anchored into a 1"X4" hardwood board. Bow shot.

Bow shot.

Dry mock up of bow deck.

Stern deck is glassed (and still wet) and just sitting in place. No bracing yet.

Bulkheads are glassed and curing. Front deck is also glassed, just didn't post a pic of it yet.

Should get the front braces glued in place tonight, stern braces tomorrow night.

 

[preacher]

Re: New Boat For My Brother-Starting on decks

Now that the front deck braces are in and dried I'm starting on the rubrails which I cut out of WRC 2X4X8'.

That means I can use my new toy, the adjustable angle guide to cut my long angels on the strips.

It really feathers the cut and I don't have to do anything until after I glue the strips together.

Almost invisible even before sanding.

Then I mix my goopie and glue the first rail in place. Looks kind of light but I have already tested the color when wet and it is a rich dark color.

Once the rails are dry and firm I can start on the rear deck braces. Both decks and bulk heads are ready and waiting. I have designed the hatches and haven't decided if I will cut them before or after I secure the decks to the boat. Probably after.

 

[preacher]

Re: New Boat For My Brother-Starting on decks

Had some pretty nice weather today and yesterday so I got some work done.
Decided to cut in the front hatch and build the hatch shelf.

Nice size hole has appeared in the front deck. 11 inch X 16 inch hatch should allow good size camping items to be stowed.

Also decided to build the battery box while waiting for resin to dry in other areas.

Framing the braces for the rear deck.

Cut and fitting the hatch shelf to the deck.

Made up some goopy and glued the shelf in place.

Adding the backing to the hatch cover.

 

[preacher]

Re: New Boat For My Brother-10/22 AMOST THERE

Should have this Honey Bee in the water soon. Got a lot more finishing and rigging to do but it should go fast, after I do some fishing :twisted:

Rear deck bracing and grab handle mounting support.

Rear deck mockup, not glued in place yet. Got to cut the hatch and make the lid and tray.

Installed a water runoff block, and the front deck is mounted and secure along with lid. Also got the battery box built and set inside the hold but not secured yet.

Long shot of empty cockpit.

Bow shot with seat and crate ( just a mockup for right now).

Stern shot. Lots of room in this puppy. Patty . . . er uh . . . Jerry will really enjoy this leg room and storage space.

I'm really excited about this boat. I hope it floats and handles as good as it looks. I am concerned with the strength of the sidewalls with the radical curve on the rearward half in the seat area. I am going to install another 2 inch strip along the top of the side wall as a precaution. I think it will also be a good looking addition. Got to cut out and shape the same kind of water block as the front deck for the rear deck.

I did take time to lift this boat this morning and it is LIGHT! Probably half the weight of the Bumble Bee.

 

[preacher]

Re: New Boat For My Brother-10/24 WOOD WORK IS DONE

Well . . . . . . . . . . . . . . all the hard work is done except for the finish sanding and coats.

I will probably float the Honey Bee Monday or Tuesday and locate the best seat location so I can rig the foot rests and seat mounting.

Hatches are cut in, side rails inside and out are in but will need some touch up sanding and finishing. Hatch hold down straps will be installed after the finish coats. Don't know what to do on the hatches as far as being able to remove them. They are surface smooth and you need good finger nails to pick them up. Thought about doing a "picture box" inset of a cross for a sunken "grab handle" or just a small cross stuck on the hatch as a "grab Handle.???" Could use some expert opinions on that. :wink:

I haven't weighed this boat yet but I'm guessing it weighs about 45 pounds without the heavy seat and mount.

OOPS! Grand Nephews took over the ship!

Talk about nervous. How is this thing going to float and handle. I've tried to figure out weight capacity but it goes beyond my ability. I down loaded a couple of design programs that are supposed to calculate displacement but I can't figure the programs out yet. I'm just too newby to understand all the nautical jargon used in the programs. But, getting into the boat in the water will answer all my questions . . . . . . and . . . . . . . . . . maybe . . . . . . . . . test my PFD :shock:

 

[Kayak Jack]

Re: New Boat For My Brother-10/24 WOOD WORK IS DONE

Preacher,

Those little pirates have your boat captive! Not hard to see who some fishing partners will be in the future.

On the hatch, here's a thought. The straps will not provide and downward force against the flat topped surface. And, as you observed, the flat topped surface offers no hand grip. If you added a low, wooden arch under each strap, you could kill two birds with one stone. Hatches look to be, say 12" wide in your picture. A strip of wood, say, 12" wide, in a large radius curve on top rising to,say, an inch, would let straps push downwards on the hatch cover and help seal it. Deep grooves into both sides of that strip will provide finger holds. Holes clean through would also provide finger holds, and delete more weight.

I'd also tether each hatch cover with a line from inside the cargo bay affixed to the bottom side of each hatch cover. Wind can flip a piece that size pretty quickly and pretty far.

 

[preacher]

Re: New Boat For My Brother-10/24 WOOD WORK IS DONE

Got to have a Trolley when you fish the Red River.

I use 1/2 inch PVC for axel housing and 1/2 inch all thread for the axle. The PVC is held in place by pouring goopie around it. Nylon lock nuts stop a lot of heart break. I will cover the surface that touches the boat with a thin outdoor carpet. I will pick up the plastic rimed pneumatic tires tomorrow at Harbor freight. The black strap goes around the boat to hold it on the cart. The slot in the middle is allowing for the skeg.

 

[Kayak Jack]

Re: New Boat For My Brother-10/24 WOOD WORK IS DONE

Nicely engineered cart frame. Looks like you can think imaginatively, as well as preach.