tomstock

First Cut, I am now officially building my own boat: I cut my stringers and outer keel layers today I discovered the hard way that my 1x12s are NOT straight. The curve sort of like the keel. The first time I drew the stations I was completed confused because I couldnt get 7" depth from the 4" mark. I measured the mark and at each end of the 1x12 it was 4 inches, but at the center it was 5". I flipped the board and did it again. This time, it's ok. Mistake #2, I ended up with 6 stringer, except the last one was only 1/2" x 3/4". Argh. I'll have to find a place to use this one which isn't as critical. I also missed the part about not lofting the curve for the front of the keel until the stem is laid out. Oh well, I'll have to shape the stem to the keel instead of the keel to the stem. No big deal. Other than a few errors here and there, things went great. I had to stop when a Florida thunderstorm rolled in (I could hear the thunder through my ear protectors WITH my skillsaw running). Tomorrow weather permitting I'll finish the keel and glue it up next weekend when I my weldwood order arrives. Tom

Trying to decide how much glue to order. How much weldwood is used for the keel? How about for the complete hull? Is one 5lb container enough to do the keel and hull bottom? Thanks Tom

The same saying echoed through my head all week... "The hardest part of anything is starting". So I did. I went to the lumber yard and came home with 5 1x12's in clear kimberly (absoloutley clear... very nice) and a 1x6 in the same. I first priced pine and was searching for good boards but found only 3 good boards in 14ft length, the rest had holes in them and cracks.... so after some thought I called up to the office and got the price for the clear kimberly and expected it to be $$$ but no, it was only 10 cents more per linear foot for the 1x12 and the same price for the 1x6!! Ok, so obviously I went with the clear kimberly. I also picked up a 23ft tarp, a surform, and rip guide. This weekened I'll be cutting the keel and next weekend glueing it together (still have to order the DAP weldwood resin). My only concern now is having to build outside. I dont have anything particulary flat to assembly the keel on (no hard garage floor, etc). Can I do this in the grass? If not I'll haul it out to the street and do it there. -tom

These prices seem high to me. 5 14' 1x12s is 70 board feet of lumber' date=' and at $230, you are paying $3.29 a board foot. And you're paying over $5 a board foot for the 1x6. It might be worth it for the 1x6 stringer material, if you really want nice straight grain, but I think its overkill for the keel pieces. I would see if you can find a better source for the wood. The Weldwood Plastic Resin Glue is available mail order a bit cheaper, but after you factor in shipping, maybe not so much cheaper. Aircraft Spruce Supply has 5# pails for about $16 at [url']http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/wppages/weldwood.php[/url]. Hmmm I think I got my numbers mixed up. I think my prices are for yellow pine for the keel and douglas fir for everything else. I'm going to get a new quote with *all* yellow pine except for the rubrails, rafters, etc and see what the cost is per board foot. I'm ordering my woof from "COX Lumber" here in FL. They will let me pick through the wood, and will then deliver it for free. This is a big deal since I only have a tiny 4-door sedan

Since building takes a long time, and the lumber is expensive up front, I've decided that I'm going to build in stages so that I can afford to get started as soon as possible. I'm still working out the details, but for example: Stage 1 - The Keel (total excludes misc tools, etc) Qty Total Price Desc 5 $230 1x12"x14ft C&Btr Southern Yellow Pine (Keel & Stem) 1 $41 1x6"x16ft Southern Yellow Pine (Stringers) 2 $40 2 buckets of Weldwood Plastic Resin Glue * ?? Aluminum Nails (1 1/2") 1 $20 16' x 20' plastic tarp (to keep wood dry). ============================================== $331 Stage 2 - The Hull Bottom and Bulkheads Qty Total Price Desc 3 $98.97 1/2" AC Fir Bottom, Cabin Bulkhead, Forward Bulkhead 1 $31.08 1x6"x10ft Cut in two for panel joiners (sides) 1 $20.64 1x4"x8ft Cut in two for panel joiners (center) * ?? Stainless Screws ============================================== $150.69 Stage 3 - Hull Deck and Transom Qty Total Price Desc 4 $115 3/8" AC Fir (Deck, Lazarette, Transom, Cabin Roof) - ----- Panel Joiners left over from above Wood purchased but not all needed for this stage. ============================================== $115 Well, thats as far as I've gotten so far, but you get the idea. As far as I can tell the first stage will be the most expensive and least rewarding. For around $350 I get just a keel However, steps 2 and 3 will be rewarding and considerably cheaper. Going 3d in steps (not finished yet) 4 and 5 should be much cheaper than the previous steps, and even more rewarding. After this costs should drop until I get to fiberglassing and finishing, where they will jump up again which will be ok because I'll be half way at that point. Anyone else build like this? I'll be building outside so this also minimizes the amount of wood I'll have to keep dry (excluding the boat itself). Suggestions are welcomed of course... I'm all ears. Tom Stock

My dad has about 4 more. One is silver metalic pen on black. They are REALLY cool. I'll see if I can get a few more. I bet this guy could do this for a living if he chose to! -tom

Thats the first thing I thought when I saw it. "Wow look at the the rigging!" Strange thing is that as far as I know he never talks about boats or sailing! -tom