benhardt57

"How about I abandon the lower coaming ring and sew the polyester to the upper plywood coaming in the manner suggested for laminated coamings? " If I understand your question correctly, your coaming would be very flimsy, I believe.

Wow! That's commitment!

Cool! But I'm interested to know what you're calling paneling. What are the dimensions?

Nice story. Glad it ended well. I paddled from Lock 6 State Canal Park to the Twins and back recently on both sides of the river. That's a couple of miles east of where you are in Rexford. Where did the boulder incident happen?

Very nice job! And well worth the wait.

Did you mean to say the BB? Or was I wrong thinking the WRC is a domestic product?

Where I am in the Capital District, the Curtis Lumber stores carry WRC. Is there one near you? -Ben

I haven't used a spray skirt, so I didn't know enough to offer a quailfied answer to your question. But it looks like you figured it out. Your Vardo is looking great!

http://dmkforestproducts.com.au/wisa-birch/ These folks aren't anywhere close by?

Looks great! I am unfamiliar with the FreeB design, but it seems like your CG is a kinda high. Is the boat stable?

I did all my frame cutting with a hand held jig saw with a fairly fine-tooth blade. It worked great on the Baltic birch and turned the corners nicely. If you are choosing between the two you mentioned, how will you cut the insides out of the frames with a band saw? And band saw blades are usually wider, making it difficult to make tight turns. With a scroll saw you can do the tighter turns, but every time you want to do an inside cut you have to remove the blade and re-install it on the inside of your frame. I used a table saw to rip my stringers. Have fun with your build! - Ben

To be fair though, if there was a higher demand for it the US marketplace would provide.

Fine looking boat! I would suggest leaving your camera in the car for your first paddle. You never know. Your photos are exceptional!

Good post!

I feel for you, bro.

Very nice! Why Comet?

Very cool! Good job.

That was a 'Copy & Paste' from Wikipedia, right?

I've only had my Short Shot in the water 3 times so far. And like you, I am very pleased with the performance, but slightly concerned with the paint especially on the keel. My last outing was on a local creek that had the usual submerged logs. When the entire keel rubs on objects like this it makes me wonder what damage it might be doing. Rather than brass at the bow and stern I used an 1/8" thick x 7/16 strip of delrin held on with stainless screws every 3 inches. It is very tough stuff and seems to be working nicely. Now I'm thinking about covering my entire keel with it for protection. -Ben

Got em! Looking good!

I got the picture of the caiman (or whatever it is) but the prior three posts have broken links to your pictures. Is it just me? I'd like to see them.

Nice work! I like your back yard too! Are you on a golf course? I'm jealous.

My only dimension that is close to yours is height. I'm 6'-1", and I can tell you there is ample leg room for me in my Short Shot. That's the only reference point I can help you with. I'm fairly limber and only have size 10 feet, so I think I probably didn't need to incorporate the laminated beam option. I may appreciate it after more experience in the boat. I've only had it in the water twice. Have you spent any time in plastic kayaks? Do they work for you? That sailplane you're in probably does't have a cockpit much bigger than a kayak. At least you won't have to worry about shoulder room in a kayak. -Ben

100 meters?! Just means you have to build more. Good work on your new boat. And nice collection you have there!

Wow! Very nice work!