Jknight611

Hi Don, just catching up with your build, that method surly looks like it cuts sanding, which on my current build is the “prime directive “. If you have access to the videos on Off Center Harbor Larry Brown has some good videos, but by your description, looks like you got it going on. I have used his technique on some sub assemblies with good results. I am absolutely sure the person that commissioned you to the build will be super happy with the results!

Well Joe, how is the Torqeedo working for you? My Core Sound 20.3 may get one when Project M is completed.

Thanks Joe, as we discussed, The Joerails are nice!

Completed toe and rub rails today! Laying out water line soon, then on to primer. I have a lot of the fiddley items “prefabricated “ and assuming they fit.......

I know I speak to my boats and boat projects, sometimes in a manner not to be published in this forum, but in my favorite anchorage with the winds blowing through some tall pines they speak to me.

The lead was cast at “The Mothership “ right after the 2019 Messabout. A perfect fit! The boat is “All Electric “ just like some of the home kitchen advertisements from the early ‘60’s. The Torqeedo drive system battery was originally intended (by me only) to provide the house loads in addition to the drive system but the good folks at Torqeedo explained that wasn’t a good plan so it will have 2 independent electrical systems using 2 Battleborn batteries and the associated clutter.

About time to give a brief update on the Flinders project. It is back upright and the 1800 poundish lead keel shoe is attached. The last few months I have been a sanding dervish, not much exciting to see there, those who have built boats know, and if you haven’t not wanting to dissuade anyone of the glamor! The interior and 71.2% of the wiring is completed or at least on the floor. After multiple mind changes I settled on a Kildwick composting head. But this was after installing all the required stuff for a traditional marine head. I gained an extra anchor locker in the space from the holding tank. Attached is a picture of the “roll team”. You may recognize some of the actors! So many thanks for their help.

Congratulations Alan! Very nice video!

Just leaving the B&B Headquarters, a great time was had, Saturday had some good sailing with lots of boats. Everyone learned something from Graham’s talk on how to get the best from his designs. Thanks to Graham, Alan, Tom, Nate, Bobby and Randy for making it a great Messabout.

Our Core Sound will be at the Messabout, take a look at our keel strip. It is unidirectional glass fibers set in epoxy (with some graphite powder). 5 years and holding up ok. Abrasion isn’t a problem but as I mentioned earlier point loading might be not as good. I think you will like your keel strip Don.

Another vote for the “pull type saw”. I can cut a bit of wood as fast and accurate as my miter saw. The rasp is nice, VERY aggressive, and I suggest a small block plane, I have a Fox brand and it has served me well. I am blessed with a large air compressor so a pneumatic nailer with tiny plastic nails (Talon brand) as been a big help. And I absolutely defy anyone to have enough clamps!

Lou Sauzedde (tips from a shipwright) did a YouTube video a while back on the difference in red/white oak using rubbing alcohol. That being said I trimmed my boat’s cabin with red oak, has enough epoxy to protect it from a nuclear blast. I find white oak is ridiculously expensive in our area, and the quality is suspect.

I think I did my keel strip totally different from anyone else on my CS20.3. I clamped a packing tape covered 1X4 to each side of the keel, the filled the gap with unidirectional glass with epoxy and graphite in the epoxy slurry. I wanted to experiment with a keel strip with no screws. So far it seems to be working, although I suspect it would/may crack it point loaded, but sand an shells seem to have no problems. All a compromise, I suppose.

Great to have that continuity with your boat. We have owned a 27ft cutter for 18 years, and I hope my Matthew Flinders build (and me) has as much longevity!

Looks really good! Guess you are too far to make the Messabout? Hopefully there will be a bunch of the MK 3’s

And a review of your Torqeedo motor would be appreciated! You will love the way the boat sails!

Hi Pete, I suppose it is dependent on the weight of the glass, this carpet I am glueing to the Flinders it won’t take many wraps at all!

I recently had a unusual problem with some acetone, I was cleaning PEG mold release agent from recently unmolded epoxy with acetone and noticed when it dried it left a thin sheen of oily substance. Read the label closely when messing with some acetone, I bought this pint can from my local Ace Hardware and In tiny print it said it was recycled acetone. It looks like some sort of petroleum sheen.

Hi Steve, yea, everything is heat soaked so my pot life of “slow” is just a few minutes. Patiently waiting for cooler weather!

Some of the glamour of boatbuilding has escaped me today....

I bought my Torqeedo pod from B&B, they are now a dealer. I haven’t gotten it wet yet but it looks like a quality piece. The motor is a fixed mount with a folding prop probably weighs 25-30 lbs.

Don, that is really nice! Beautiful lines and with your perfect finish you will have a show piece. (Which will give an excuse not to go rowing very often.)

The trim is cypress, long story but I met a young man that was selling pecan lumber, it was beautiful. I bought some (But not enough) noticed a lump on his ankle under jeans. He has since become a guest of the state for a 3-5 years. I did get enough to trim the head area and galley area, it looks pretty nice. Alan calculated the CG of the hull and I just put 2 1/2 eyebolts where he said. He got it perfectly! The forward end was supported by a engine hoist and the aft by a big cable hoist (cable come-a-long), which was supported by a Harbor Freight scaffolds. 2 hours setting up, 22 seconds to roll. We build 2 ultra sawhorses that keep the tabernacles 1 inch above the floor. If I would have thought a little harder I would have waited to install the tabernacles and the bumpkin till it is upright. I might call it boomkin when it is launched.

Thank you, Covid has kept me home more.....

Looks like a few months since a update on the Flinders project , true to form, some photos are sideways..... but the hull is inverted in real life. Electrical system, plumbing, interior are mostly complete, hull is glassed and 82% filled, this 17 oz glass was invented by the epoxy association. It guzzles the stuff! The stub keel is my current project, it is incredibly strong by design, with lots of glass. I will be taping it to the bottom panels with several layers of 24 oz unidirectional glass, then a overlay of 17 oz biaxial. That should hold it!