NY_Rocking_Chairs

Greetings, Kiddo #2 wants to build a tadpole so we are currently lofting the frames and starting to gather materials. A call to my local lumber supplier shows a lack of WRC. Aside from the weight, which based on the dimensions, will add ~4 lbs over WRC, any reason to not use composite decking for the strings/gunwales?

Unfortunately I was not there when it was broken and she doesn't remember doing anything that could have broken it. Our thought is that when she strapped it to the top of the van it was tightened too much or something. This trip it is riding on the boat trailer so easier to secure and strap down. Definitely wasn't a knot, I always cut and scarf around those. We started sewing yesterday afternoon (thanks Jeff for quick turn around and the extra screw). She's a quilter and is doing the bow, night and day difference to my stitches and her stitches, anyone want to hire her to sew your boat(s)?

Ended up de-skinning it and replacing the stringer. Once removed it turned out to be much more than just a split, was broken in two. New fabric should be here by the end of the week.

Thanks! Apologies for the poor pic, boat was on the rack and I was using a head-lamp to illuminate the interior while trying to use my camera phone, etc. A butt-block is good idea! I can use two, one on the side and one on the top, that would push the curve out. I have some pretty thin clamps and should be able to get between the skin and stringer with some pressure. Thanks all.

Though my wife denies it she must have dropped the boat or rolled over hard into the dock or something. The stringer is split enough that there is a slight bend. Opinions on repairing without taking the skin off and replacing the entire stringer? Already going to be difficult as it's the section just forward of the cockpit.

When I skinned my Stonefly I used a pair of canvas pliers and a block of scrap wood to protect the gunwales. So I cranked it pretty tight but I also used the heavier poly, not sure if that will make much difference. Pull it hand tight, fold it over and use the pliers for that extra 1/2" of stretch then staple away.

I do believe all the corrections are up to date here: http://www.kudzucraft.com/web/correction-and-revisions

My stonefly weighs 40 lbs complete.

I think this is correct: but the top piece is the frame for the boat. The bottom piece is the bracket that gets mounted to the strong-back and supports the keel. The frame then sits on top of the keel and can use a clamp to hold the frame to the bracket while build up the rest of the boat. The hole in the center of the bracket is so a string can be passed through all the brackets and they can be aligned on the strong-back. Take a look at the first pic in this post: Can see how the "brackets" get screwed to a 2x4 board running perpendicular to the strongback. The keel then runs through the brackets and the frames get clamped to the brackets.

I stopped by the Victor LakeShore yesterday and yes, they are still purchasing and stocking the WRC, forgot to look at the price. I need some 8/4 walnut soon anyway so will probably be making a road trip to Pulaski to check out their big warehouse.

Can I ask where you got the hatch? I am thinking of doing the Vardo specifically as my touring/camping boat so planning hatches in both bow and stern. Nevermind on the hatch, just realized you were in Finland... Nice looking boat!

Wife's Curlew was first, then did the Stonefly canoe for myself. Made the kid's one for my youngest and now making a SUP for my oldest. Planning an expedition kayak for myself though.

You did it backwards Build the wife's boat first then she is more open to as many boats as "you" want...though now I'm running out of storage space.

Dave, yes, I got this last material from Pittsford Lumber and he said they were no longer ordering WRC. Checking Bristol Valley they also dropped it from their web-site/price list but we did not travel down there as we were able to get what we needed from what was left at Pittsford. I had not tried Lakeshore yet, need to pay them a visit at some point. Am in Webster.

Nope, but we have Matthews and Fields who list WRC decking on their web site...so that's a choice.

Went on a mission yesterday to find some Western Red Cedar (WRC) for my current project and both of our local wood places had removed WRC from their web-site, since we needed some other stuff we still went to the closest one and he did have enough material for our project but said the prices had been going up so they weren't purchasing it and what he had was all he had (if I had had my trailer would have bought it all). Just wondering if others are encountering similar issues and how they're getting around it? I have identified another local company that sells WRC decking but haven't gotten prices yet, other wood species? I have used decking in the past, but not as cost effective. Cheers!

Ha, sorry don't log in much, also started a new job in May down in Henrietta so busy there. Bay Creek told us the water level was the highest it's been since the early 1950's, up by about 5'

Nice, I'm in Webster BTW, plan to get out paddling around Ellison with the scouts next weekend with my canoe and kayak.

Sorry, just saw this, been in winter hibernation, meaning I have been working on getting my ski patrol re-certification done (never take a 3 year break again, they make you redo the entire training process, ugh). Only 4 weeks left til final testing day though... Taking Jeff's advice I bought a pair of canvas pliers and used a block of wood to protect the underlying wood. Make sure your staples are long enough to penetrate the fabric and the wood, I think I used 1/2" all the way around the boat, I also bought the pneumatic stapler that Jeff recommends, pretty cheap and worked flawlessly. Then I bent some aluminum strip around the stem and stern, screwed that to the frames and filled in the gaps with silicon. After some light sanding of the silicon I painted the whole thing and you cannot tell how the stem and stern were done at all. I used the 11 ounce poly from Jeff, can really crank on that stuff and not worry about it opening up.

Even with the pliers I could not get all the wrinkles out on the Stonefly, but repeated ironing did the trick...

I like that solution Woodman, thanks for the pic. I will be using the trailer for Cub Scout trips so having the enclosed/semi-enclosed storage is a big plus.

I have been using the "grey" can, the pro enamel, no issues. 3 coats rolled on (first coat thinned) and never had any issues on the two boats. Both boats were the 11 ounce poly.

Thanks Jeff for the pointers, It is a 5x10 so at this point the worst case is put the bows at the front rail and everything hangs over the back by 5'. It is the same width as the minivan and the Outback so no worries there, I like it cause I can pick it up by the tongue and push it where I need it so not too heavy, I even pushed it up the driveway, not that it's really steep, but does have some pitch. Previous owner had the tire pressure around 20 PSI and it was still bouncing a bit bringing it home so will probably drop it a bit more. Though I want to be able to use it for everything: Cub Scout trips, mulch, plywood and lumber transport, etc. So the racks definitely have to be removable and I don't want to change the spring configuration unless I have to.

Picked up our new canoe/kayak transport device...new to us anyway. Happened to stop at the local dealer and someone had traded it in so I bought it and brought it home, cleaned up the surface rust and got a few coats of Rustoleum on there. Looks awesome, now just got to build and mount some carrier racks. Toolbox came with it and gets mounted back on the tongue, just waiting a few days for the paint to dry 100%. There is a drop gate but took it off for painting and cannot transport any boats with it on there anyway.

I agree they are kinda silly, I tried one out this weekend while at the lake house picking up the wife's kayak to bring home for the winter, but at least I didn't fall.