bentg

Hey, Jeff, things are well underway with the Ravenswood and I'm lashing in the first frames. A question, though. On the full-size plans, there are two sets of frames with the measure 7' 3" on them. Do they go side by side, or is one of them marked wrong? Thanks, Ben T-G

Native Watercraft makes a peddle-drive system that uses an actual propeller, unlike the Hobie Mirage drive. And, it will go in reverse, also unlike the Hobie. Note that when fishing, the value of having your hands free while you move about is enormous. You can cast and catch fish! Can't do that with a paddle in your hand, so it's likely worth the trade-off in efficiency.

Hirilonde, that System Three poly looks great. Have you used it before, and what were the results?

I'm trying your Rustoleum oil technique as soon as I can get the shop above 50 degrees, mainly because my impressions agree with yours about the latex. It just scratches too easily. I made a pirogue a number of years ago and covered it with latex (this was MDO plywood, not a skin boat.) Even after it cured--which took more than a month--it still gouged and scratched. Not such a big deal for my own boat, because it is easily fixed, but I wouldn't feel good selling a boat new to someone and having to say, "It will scratch a lot, so just touch it up with this can of paint." I had hoped latex had gotten better in the last ten years, but I guess abrasion resistance is not a priority for the latex paint formulation.

Hey, Jeff, I read that you were going to paint the re-skinned Sling Shot with latex. How did it work out? Did you get good abrasion resistance?

This Arrow 14 has just been completed at TSC. Weighing in at 23 lbs, this ultralight canoe shows an impressive degree of speed whether with one paddler or two. With its long waterline and shallow rocker, it tracks like a steamtrain, making long paddles a pleasure. This design is from Platt Monfort�s Geodesic Boats. You can see the whole collection of his boats at the website, http://www.gaboats.com. The wooden skeleton is built of tulip poplar, a sustainable local wood in Virginia, and the wood has been sealed by multiple coats of varnish. To add stiffness, kevlar roving is woven throughout the ribs and stringers. Then covering all is a layer of heat-shrink dacron that has been covered, again, by multiple coats of acrylic latex in a satin white. The tropical hardwood keel and rubrails have been oiled to provide a gorgeous contrast with the fabric. You can see pictures of this boat and others at http://www.tidewatersmallcraft.com. Priced at $950 brand new.

Very interesting watching the method for building the hatches, Jeff. I'm looking forward to seeing the next steps.