bobsim

I 'pre varnished' my frames for the Stonefly and aside from having to touch up a few spots (sharp edges needing sanding and some notches too snug) there were no problems. One thing worth mentioning is the effect varnish has on the lashings - surprising how well it penetrates and hardens the sinew (I used Jeff's product.) I was surprised. My thinking was the wax would repel the finish. Even with pre finished frames and stringers you may want to add some finish to the lashings.

The boat is beautiful. Good job! Looking forward to seeing pictures of her in the water!

Very good job on the video and five stars on the build! This should be on the news instead of the usual 'who shot who' and where to spend your money. Well done and thank you for sharing!

Hoping you post pics of the float bags. Has anyone tried a solo wet entry (Stonefly) with/without flotation?

Yeah, I know it's butt ugly. I will say though I can spend a full day on it and not hurt. It's full of styrofoam beads and well, it works. Simple matter to unzip it and take out some of the beads but it's too messy to do outdoors. Also good flotation and a seat/pillow whenever you need one.

Yep, the paint cured and there was a window yesterday morning with light winds so we hit the river. Had the ramp to myself and took my time getting comfortable and looking for leaks before heading out. No leaks and entry was a breeze, only issue was the cushion I use for a seat had me about 4" above the floor and she felt a tad tippy. I noticed at a certain point of chining she would steady though and thought that more weight or lowering my butt would help but it wasn't uncomfortable enough to change my plans. My main concern was Jeff's comment about maneuverability and something about a barge, but I didn't have the issue. Even after getting sideways in the wind she would straighten out easily enough and after two landings I had confidence. Yes this boat tracks well and maneuvering is work but certainly do-able, big relief for me. Jeff, I think you're too hard on her. My plan was to paddle out to a small island on the Saint Johns and back, about four miles. The first half of the loop was against the last of the incoming current and into a northeast wind of 5-8. I think I averaged around 2 mph but the speed doubled on the return. Light chop and small wakes from commercial traffic to deal with but no problems. The only time I was spooked was trying to get a picture of a lot of swallows, swifts (?) they were like a cloud buzzing around and following them trying to get a picture I was pointing the camera straight above me and whew! That was close. One of those 'don't do that again' moments. All said it was a success, even the backrest was comfortable. I'm looking forward to seeing how the boat leans on the chine but I'll wait for the river to warm up a bit first. Here's a link to the trip and more pictures: http://web1.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=2715687 There is an icon for stats on the lower right of the screen that shows speed. The website does have some bugs going on, hope it works for you. Thanks Jeff!

When fishing from my yak I've thought about a small hull a 'trailer' if you will to pull behind the boat with an integral livewell and some storage. I know paddling with something in tow would open a can of headache but it could be done. How about a 'trailer consisting of the pontoons and you could incorporate your paddle to support them?

Speaks well of the frame design....

Same here Jeff but I only stretched 3 1/4". I read in the book that you recommended three fingers (2 1/4") for stretch. When I saw DB's post mentioning four inches instead of three I thought he meant fingers so I added a finger = 3" then added 1/4 for grins and giggles. It was a chore - I wound up with my back braced against a door with a rope from the door attached to the extra fabric, my feet were pushing on a 2x2 run through the forward frame and my hands were pushing on the bow. She creaked a little but did fit after an hour or so. I suppose I misread the directions and thought this was standard practice with poly. In hindsight I'm glad I did this as the best I could manage shrinking the skin with an iron was minimal. She's good and tight and the paint is curing now. Looks like a splash coming in a few days.

Hey folks, I have the first coat on, thinned about 15-20% with MS and she looks great. I tell you though after I cleaned up I bent down and looked at the inside of the canoe (she's upside down) and my heart broke. From that perspective it looked like a drunk monkey painted the boat! Pretty disappointing until I realized the lighting was messing with the appearance. A couple hours later I could tip her up on the gunnel to get a good look and it's all I had hoped for! Two more coats (24 hrs. apart) and a week to set up. Getting short here! Thanks again!

Thank you. I've learned a good bit from this build and in my mind I've already caught fish in this one. My favorite fishing spots are a good paddle in the rec yak that I have and I have a hunch the Stonefly will make the trips much easier. She looks like a racer next to the yak! The Nimrod is a looker too. Good luck with it!

Thanks Dave, 10 - 15% does sound more reasonable. Couldn't find a color I liked in Rustoleum so I had to go with Behr. The can says not to thin, salesman said to do a test and see results. I'll try it unthinned and with a little mineral spirits next. Sure want to get some color through the cloth, the white won't look good for long!

Thanks very much folks! I appreciate the info, the skin is on and all went well. I have some vertical wrinkles around the middle of the boat at the gunnels I'm hoping will come out with the iron later. They're minimal and I could live with them if I have to. I suppose I was was over thinking the process - a lot of worry for nothing. Quick question... I'm painting with oil based enamel and saw in Jeff's video he thinned the first coat with acetone. I tried this on a test piece and thinned 50/50, sure was blotchy. Too much acetone? Suggestions? Thanks again.

First, thanks to ya'll for the advise and input here on the forum. Very helpful for a first timer! She's pretty much done now, I still need to turn her over and treat some bare spots before I skin her. Frames and breasthooks are okume, everything else is cypress. The backrest is scrap stringers and floors that I will lash in once I get her in the water and see if it's comfortable. Looks like the 11oz polyester I ordered from Jeff on Friday will be tomorrow, (that's fast) and the weather will have me stuck at the house so I may skin her tomorrow. Any insight here would really be appreciated...I'm nervous guys. I understand I won't be able to heat shrink the 11oz much so I need to get it tight and right when I sew it but...I don't sew. There are more pictures on my Photobucket album if you're interested:http://s204.photobucket.com/user/bobdsimmons/library/Stonefly%20Canoe?sort=3&page=1 Thank you again!

Hilarious Jeff! Can we get a video of a group racing? Thanks for the morning humor.