merrimange

Help in final stages and have misplaced my materials list -would somebody post (weekender)?

Okay - little help here. The surface was not as smooth and without errors as I would have liked. Should I sand down considerably through the primer in places or is it best to add some bondo and smooth at this point. Probably 10 to 15 ft good without the final paint now - Thanks in advance. I now know what I should do on the cabin and deck, but making up for past mistakes.

Thanks Craig. I subsequently did and search on Keel AND shape and found a topic which indicates roundness between 3/4 and what you indicated discussion. I'll not overanalyze any further. It seems that for first timers there is a void on these "little things" occasionally in the plans.

I have watched the video again and again as well as the instructions - I can't seem to get a sense for the proper shaping to either round the keel at the bottom edge or other. What are the best practices here? I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnell here and it is perhaps not a train.

Concerning - That does look like the French flag - ouch! If I turned it upside down would I be making a symbolic statement? I was actually after the red white and blue effect. How about this link? http://www.united-states-flag.com/promotions.html I had better confess on the next question of concern on using the US flag for sails. My intent is genuine - having been in the military though, I would be concerned using the flag or cutting thereon. It says 600D Polyester w/ high durability (whatever that means )

saw this site - anybody used them? Appears to meet the critieria, thanks in advance. http://www.tarpsplus.com/patriotictarps.html

Tim - your right - It would require a bit too much thinking when you need to react quickly. I'm on a protected lake and have been sailing in larger keel boats, so I haven't thought through it entirely - thanks.

Been thinking about this aspect on my boat as I'm nearing this point of the construction. I want a tiller but like the control aspect of a traveler. Maybe this is not what your thinking, but I'm thinking something along these lines. It would require handling two sheets for the main but I don't think that would be too difficult. Sorry for the lack of autocad. I wonder what the pros and cons of this would be.

I just mean't I feel so bubbly 7 months pregnant. He He.

Barry - thank you very much. That makes sense. By fairing putty, you mean the "bondo" or is that something unique? By the way, what color would be best to "cover" - say a cream or white satin? I was thinking of a royal to light nave blue - being from Nashville w/ a "Titan" sort of look.

Thanks JEM. It is the weekender. I'm 7 months pregnant w/ some of the bubbles. On the deck and cabin, I'm gonna do exactly as you said. I did do it inside, but frankly just didn't know what to look for until after the fact; otherwise, I'd have "popped" the bubbles before curing etc. So what I'm left with is say 5 to 7 areas where I took a razor and cut out the bubbles. With that said, should I overlay cloth patches then layer resin or just not worry about and build up w/ Resin and sand on. Thanks again.

Sorry for longer post - I have read many posts before this in an attempt to answer, but would appreciate any feedback. I have my boat turned over and have placed the initial fiberglass cloth and rolled the inexpensive boat resin from West Marine. I give myself a B- to C+, but compared to the "grand piano" folks maybe a C- to D. I have come to the realization, that given my lack of construction experience balanced with my desire to get in the water, it is not going to be perfect. Again, this is my absolute first time tackling anything like this. I lightly sanded last night cut out the airbubbles, most were under a quarter in size, and am ready to put on some more resin coats. This seems to be tedious, but I think I'm doing it right. Or, could I as I've thought about simply tacking a pin or tack and poking multiple holes in the small bubbles, sanding, releasing the air and recoating with resin. There are some places in the corners of the hull/keel that show attached cloth sticking up but no air bubbles. Is this normal, and should I keep sanding down? Should I just keep adding resin in the cut out places or patch with cloth? From previous posts, it seems like 3 to 4 coats of resin should take care and make it 5 ft presentable. Will the final thin layer of bondo on top take care of most glitches? I'm using 100 grain sand paper at this stage, too much too little?, I just don't have a feel for in terms of if I'm causing harm on, so help if you can. Thanks in advance.

First of all - this group is as good as it gets for gathering info, so everyone reach with the right hand to the left shoulder and pat. Your suggestions worked. I'm a CPA not a carpenter but I'm having so much fun learning this stuff. So thank you. Second, i'm beginning to learn the fiberglass cloth and resin stage. My first experiment the hatch top, worked pretty good. My question, how do I control the air bubbles on edges and other parts which are dynamic and not flat. Do you buy tape, just use resin? Thanks!

oyster - still want to do it, nothing is glued only screwed in a few places for the moment and I felt I'd adapt when I understood exactly what to do asn saw the finished product. But, needed to keep the momentum, thus the use of the existing plans. I think you were in stage 3 and weren't finished, right?

Thanks for the feedback. That will help. It just seems awkward. Maybe I'm overanalyzing. I appreciate it!

I am having a heck of a time with getting this hatch and things to look right and work. I messed up and threw away the original cut to be later used for the door or slats thereon. I can't for the life of me get a round cut worth a lick. Maybe it's my technique. So, I've done lots of searches on this but really would like some input on the best way to accomplish a round hatch and door opening which is weatherproof. I'm not the sharpest tack with carpentry but got this new Ryobi Works kit and I'm the king of my garage now. On subject - The plans look inadequate. Thanks for the input. I'm sailing by spring time! [attachment over 4 years old deleted by admin]

I have found a good deal on what appears to be a lighter weighted cloth. Will it matter that much? I know that is relative. Apply an extra coat of resin to offset? Thanks.

oyster - that's it. I'm just trying to put in my words, your eloquent use of carpentry terms, and speak to my saw - great!.

thank you thank you. I'm studying it as we speak.

appreciate your help on this folks!

Sorry I am not a carpenter nor do I really and truly understand the plans. I am monkey see monkey do from the video. I do understand things like run a support beam say 1 by 3 from the the side rail to the opening in the cabin kind of "stuff". Sorry to confuse. I really am not trying to be difficult only humbly lost in confusion about deviating from the plans - In your original reply to my question - you questioned me in return in asking do I want an occasional OPEN boat not as in do I want an occasional boat. per you - "I can address after you determine if your desire is more for an open boat, or an occasional open boat." Thus, I replied more occasional OPEN. Let me be very specific, I intend to use the boat very often but only occasionally open. I would rather something be structurally sound than look perfect. So, if an odd support beam needed to be there, so be it. I plan on doing a lot more painting than staining fine wood. Truthfully, I don't know what I want, thus the convertible top having cake and eating it too. I really hope that helps explain why I asked about the weekender specifically in return to your kind help.

I'd really like to get specific on the weekender if possible. Thanks again.

If I have to choose then I would choose more 'occasional' open I think. There seems to be some folks that would like to have their entire family out but most likely by themselves or with one son.

This was from Mike himself on a search I did, so..?

I see the Kauai at the Stev Proj website http://www.stevproj.com/KauaiWkndr.html - but haven't been able to find much about this on this forum (pardon, I am new, but tried various searches). I'm at the cabin building stage - Any comments on how to do this or experiences on why not would be most appreciated? [attachment over 4 years old deleted by admin]