John Kinnane

Today we launched Tom Thumb, our Catspaw 8 at Kurnel on Botany Bay. It was better than expected. Tracked straight and rode well with plenty of freeboard with two adults and two children. The little old Evinrude 2 hp pushed along at a sedate speed. A bonus was that it fits and sits perfectly in the VW Transporter with no frame required.

Hi Rattus, The gunwales are an Australian timber called Blue Gum ( a eucalyptus). It comes up a lovely rich red and it is as hard as Hell. I have trid to use a variety of timbers, there are a few bits of Jarrah, Radiata Pine and Pacific Maple plywood. The centre seat is Tasmanian Oak and there are a couple of other odds bits.

The new tender a 'Catspaw 8' and to be named Tom Thumb is ready to splash !

Thanks Gordy, I hope to launch her this coming weekend. I have enjoyed the project and am thinking of what I can start next. I do have as et of plans for the Belhaven. Hmmmm

Well I am nearly finished my Catspaw. Photos of the work in progress are on my SmugMug site. http://boatin.smugmug.com/Boats/The-New-Tender and attached is a recent photo.

Work has progressed somewhat after a few layoffs. I was trying to get the boat finished so my best mate could see it launched but his Big C beat me. Photos of the project are uploaded here: http://boatin.smugmug.com/Boats/The-New-Tender

Started on the tender again after a layoff. Trial fitted the keel and deadwood.

Thanks to all for your comments. I wasn't enjoying the way the epoxy went on with the brush. So this morning went out and got a 4" roller. What a difference, so much quicker and a lot more economical. The results were a major improvement Thanks again guys.

Ha s anyone tried this. I bought a handfull of cheap brushes from the local supermarket (about $2.50 each). When I got home I got out my little tubes of superglue (also cheap stuff) and seperating the bristles while holding the brush upside down dropped superglue around where the bristles were held by the metal band to the handle. After giving the catspaw 8 a covering of epoxy and taping the seams I only ended up with about half a dozen bristles on the boat which were easily removed. That was out of a total of 7 or 8 brushes.

Well, It must be the drugs but when I checked the 'twist' his morning It's Gone. So now the inside seams have been taped and the outside sanded smooth and holes and voids are filled. Tomorrow I will tape the outside and then start on the bulkheads and seats.

Thanks Graham & hokeyhydro, Yesterday I taped the inside seams with a few mm of opposite twist. Following your advice I will set up a bit more negative twist then instal the seats and the panels for and aft to make bouyancy with a bit more neg twist. I will see how it sits tomorrow first. Catspaw With A Twist.pdf

With the rear level and the front tiedown realeased the difference was 12 mm (1/2")

Thanks for your input Hydro, This is a bit of a twist and easily seen by eye Just measured the difference at the bow. Marked it then released the tie on that side and the difference was 12 mm or about half an inch.

I have now 'tack welded' the dingy together and have ended up with a twist. Should I just make sure it is level again before I do the fillets and tape or should I put a bit of opposite twist in and then the fillets and tape ? Hoping someone has been through this before and can share their experience.

Great Story

I recently decided I needed a tender for my moored sailboat, so I looked around and came up with the Catspaw 8 which should fit in my VW Transporter. I will try and update photos of the project as I go and these can be viewed at http://boatin.smugmug.com/Boats

What's that funny looking white stuff in the photos ? It's a balmy 28 C/ 82 F here in Sunny Sydney. Why you can sail here year round as long as you have a cooler to keep the beer cold.

I am surpised that any of the tounge in cheek attempts at humour was taken as serious criticsm of Greg's topic on 'Sheds'. Why down under it is every boy's dream to have a shed. We even have a songs about 'A Man Must Have a Shed" and publish Coffee Table books about Aussies and Their Sheds. A shed is a man's private place, a spot where he can sit and contemplate the next project while he sips on a cold beer and also the ladies appreciate the shed as well because it keeps us from being under their feet all the time. A thread on sheds is as appropriate to a forum on boats as boats are to water. A Merry Xmas and a Happy new Year to All.

I made myself a plywood cutting frame as I get closer to starting the Belhaven. Its out of approx 20 construction ply and while the individual joints are sloppy it is very rigid assembled. Approx 2000mm x 1000mm. And Scott it is a 'Tasmanian Devil' and they are under a big threat to their survival. There is a cancer type virus attacking them and I believe about 65% have or will die from it at this stage. For all you will ever want to know about them go to http://www.dpiwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/BHAN-5372WP?open

Hi All, Just came across the Amphora book on Ebay here in Australia. I wasn't sure if they are hard to get or not but I thought it may be of interest. http://cgi.ebay.com.au/A-BOAT-YOU-CAN-BUILD-UNDERWATER-RESEARCH-AMPHORA-BOOK_W0QQitemZ4590039425QQcategoryZ72538QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Hi All, Just came across the Amphora book on Ebay here in Australia. I wasn't sure if they are hard to get or not but I thought it may be of interest. http://cgi.ebay.com.au/A-BOAT-YOU-CAN-BUILD-UNDERWATER-RESEARCH-AMPHORA-BOOK_W0QQitemZ4590039425QQcategoryZ72538QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Congratulations Adla, I have been following your project with great interest. You must be very proud, she is a fine looking little ship.

Scott, I don't know how you keep it so tidy. You should see mine. What with boat bits & pieces, model airplanes in various stages of destruction/construction and a kitchen that I am still half way through. Every little while I have to stop work & put things away so I can continue. I have a friend who will be in the middle of the biggest project in his shop and there won't be a tool out of place or sawdust on the floor. Makes me sick at times, he is so neat & tidy. Oh Well, at least I can keep my eye on all the projects at the one time.

Hi Bob, Follow your articles with interest. I have the plans for a Belhaven but unable to start just yet so I have just bought a 16' Hartley that I will pick up in a couple of days.

Lost For Words-----Just Beautiful.