Boat building - I am just getting started with this activity, however, it seems to be occupying more and more of my time. I enjoy reading about the different processes and techniques as well as planning and building. I built a flat bottom canoe (cajun pirogue) in August of 1998. I ordered plans from Applegate Boatworks in Oregon. It was my first attempt at plywood boatbuilding, and I learned alot from the experience. Lesson 1: A little frustration with materials and impatience with getting finished does not result in quality workmanship. Lesson 2: It is amazing how well the pirogue looks and paddles in spite of my efforts. Lesson 3: Fiberglass cloth on the bottom is pretty tough stuff (the canoe still floats after paddling down a very low rocky river). Actually there are only a few minor scratches.
Since my real interest in boating is with sailing, my second attempt at boatbuilding needed to be a sailboat, a small sailboat. I searched the internet, sailing magazines, and boat building books for a design that seemed "relatively" easy, inexpensive, and looked good. I choose the Swifty 12 from Shell Boats in Vermont. I ordered the plans in April and started building in June. Below are some of the pictures indicating my progress or lack thereof. My choice would be to work on the boat 16 hours a day until it is done, but my employer and my wife may not find that acceptable. So a couple hours per day has to suffice.
After an earlier project building experience, I had to move my boat building from my woodshop (small door) into the machine shed (big doors). Not as convenient tool wise, but I will be able to get the boat out when it is finished. Here I have just completed fitting the first plank onto the bottom of the boat. Two more panels to go.
I now have all side panels fitted and epoxied in place. I am now working on fitting the bulkhead and other internal structural components. It is amazingly square considering. All my scarfs are holding up well. The addition of a table saw is making the whole process much easier. Ripping on my radial arm saw is a little scary at times. I hope to get all the internal structures fitted and epoxied and screwed in by mid-August (it is now July 23). It is taking real dedication to work on the boat now as it must be 110 degrees in the shed. But it is still more fun that mowing the yard or pulling weeds.
September 20. Making some progress with the hull. Have everything together and epoxied. It will be ready for final sanding and painting very soon. Most of the other pieces like the mast, rudder, daggerboard, etc. are completed but need finishing touches. I may get done before winter sets in. One test sail would be nice.
October 10. Finished (almost) and gone sailing. Boat handles very well, but I need to make a few adjustments to the sail. I cut down an old Catalina 22 jib to make the sail. Otherwise the boat sailed very well in a good wind. I have some cosmetic finishing work to complete, but I could not pass up getting the boat into the water this fall. It was almost dark when we got the boat into the water, so the picture on the lake is pretty dark. I will add better pictures in the future.. I am hoping for a mild fall so that I can get more sailing in before winter.