Kennneee

Looks great John!! Looking forward to seeing more pics as you go. I am a few steps behind you as I build my OB26. Nice to have some inspiration! Ken

Another product I have had good luck with is Bristol Yacht Finish. It is a 2 part system that is similar to an automotive clear coat but with more UV inhibitors. It has a more amber cast, much like a traditional spar varnish. I have beat the daylights out of some of my boats that have been coated with it and it has held up amazingly well. It sprays well but has the safety issues of many of the 2 part systems. I have also rolled and tipped it and had it shrink up nicely and looks pretty close to being sprayed. http://bristolfinish.us/

These are both automotive clear coat and quite durable. Ken

Egbert, Does 75hp seem like a good amount of power for your boat? Any idea what fuel consumption is? My guess is the OB 26 should have similar power needs. Ken

Oyster, I have a bit of time before I am going to be buying a motor. I will add the Suzuki into the mix. I live on a small island so service is going to be part of what figures into the decison. Thanks for the input. Ken

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated. Egbert, how do you like your ETECH? I have a bit of time to decide on a motor but vacillate between the ETECH and a Yamaha 4 stroke.

PAR, I guess I made it into the realm of the old timer. Belt and braces.... Is there a particular bottom paint you like for this application. I ran a boat yard almost 30 years ago. My guess is my choices of bottom paint from that time might be a bit out of date! Ken

Hi All, I am not buildng a Bluejacket but an Outer Banks 26. This is the first build of this design and therefore not nearly as much information available on this specific boat as there is from the Bluejacket community. I hope you all can help an "interlopper" on this site since there is so much collective wisdom that you Bluejacket folks have developed. The Outer Banks, while certainly a differnent design, has a lot of the same attributes as the Bluejacket. I come from a sailing and paddle racing background and am on a steep learning curve when it comes to powerboats. So, any help I can get will be greatly appreciated. My first question is in regards to kicker motors. In looking at some of the Bluejacket builders blogs, etc. I don't see any kicker motors being used. I have always had a back up source of propulsion, either sail or paddle, on my boats. Have outboards become so reliable that a kicker is not important? Would love any thoughts you are willing to share. I have the planking complete in my OB and will be purchasing bottom and topside paint soon. This boat will be on a trailer for a lot of time with some periods at a mooring for months at a time. Any input on bottom paint would be helpful. Input on topside paint systems would also be helpful. I will likely go with a brushable 2 part LP. Might spray it but probably rolland tip. Recommendations? Again, thanks in advance for letting an "outsider" share in your wisdom! Cheers, Ken

This covering is rated for 10 years. Stretched it out and hit it with a hammer and it didn't puncture. A sharp branch, who knows?

Reinoud, Sure thing. PM sent. Cheers, Ken

Don, I found this product online and it sounds good. I have lots of trees nearby so I will find out if it holds up. Seems pretty tough. http://www.agriculturesolutions.com/products/greenhouse-supplies/greenhouse-plastic/agtec-super-strength-clear-woven-greenhouse-film-12mil-per-sq-ft-detail Good luck. Cheers, Ken

Finished the planking on the OB26 last week. Been a busy few months! Ready for lots of fairing and sanding, fiberglassing, paint and then flip her over for pilothouse and interior construction. A "new home" for the boat in the form of a Bow Structure" was just finished and is ready for the boat after it is flipped over and the van is kicked out. Time for a break to find some sun and let my carpal tunnel heal! More pics of the building process if your interested. https://goo.gl/photos/42vU3BKQDsnMxbPp9

Just added more building pics with some descriptions. https://goo.gl/photos/42vU3BKQDsnMxbPp9

Hi Guys, Well, I decided the HIGHLAND PARK was more to my liking than the GLENFIDDICH the other night. Not a big drinker but had to hit the liquor cabinet to celebrate the "Whiskey Plank" being installed. Stood the frames up on September 27th and worked pretty steadily until a couple of weeks ago. Dying to begin fairing but have to slow down a bit until my carpal tunnel quiets down. From what I can see at this stage the hull looks pretty fair but I am sure under the right light will reveal plenty of work to do. Cheers, Ken

Hi Guys, Well, I decided the HIGHLAND PARK was more to my liking than the GLENFIDDICH the other night. Not a big drinker but had to hit the liquor cabinet to celebrate the "Whiskey Plank" being installed. Stood the frames up on September 27th and worked pretty steadily until a couple of weeks ago. Dying to begin fairing but have to slow down a bit until my carpal tunnel quiets down. From what I can see at this stage the hull looks pretty fair but I am sure under the right light will reveal plenty of work to do. Cheers, Ken

Hi Guys, All of your thoughts are similar to the things that pop into my mind at 3:00am. Give me your phone numbers and I will call you when I can't sleep:). The chine areas in particular seem like a potential problem. Ventilating means air flow (good) but then water gets in(bad). Sealed means no pin holes, or else. I guess you have to pick a path and be sure it is done perfectly. Thanks guys. Ken

Steve, Ddi you fill the bilge area on either side of the keel? Been thinking about doing something similar on my OB26. Also the area where water can collect at the chine. Any input appreciated. Looks great! Cheers,Ken

Carter, These projects bring out the madness and creativity in us:). I realized around the time I started the OB26 that the clearance height of my front doors might not work when I build the pilot house. Might have to take some trim off at best. One thing has led to another and this week a 36' long bow shed is going up. The boat will need a home when is done anyway. Got the planking almost complete and it looks surprisingly fair. I will post some more pics soon. Looking forward to seeing your project take shape in that inspiring space! Cheers, Ken

Hi Guys, Making some headway on the planking. A bit of carpal tunnel has shortened my workdays. Loving the look of the design as I see it taking shape. More soon. Cheers, Ken

Carter, I am currently building an Outer Banks 26. I initially expected to use fir for my side stringers and chine battens. Wound up using Yellow Cedar and am quite happy with the choice. Fir is a bit stronger but the cedar is a joy to work with. Planes like butter, bends much more willingly than fir. The only down side is the dust can be pretty toxic. I was under the weather for a few days as a result of being a bit careless when I milled it up. Use a dust mask and you will be fine. The 1"x1" sheer clamp took a bit of persuasion but steaming the forward 6' made it bend beautifully. You look like you are off to a great start in a lovely setting. ENJOY! Cheers, Ken

Hi Guys, Got the middle and upper stringers in place. Started working in the shear clamp. Steamed the forward 6' of the Yellow Cedar stock and it bent beautifully. Have 2 more to do on each side and then I will be very close to beginning the planking. There is s point when a boat under construction shifts from being a pile of wood to something "more". I guess it is seeing the hull shape for the first time. Still a long way to go, however. Cheers, Ken

Dave, Keep me posted on progress. Ken

Nice work!!

Hi Dave, Thanks for the kind words. It was a difficult decision to choose between these two beautiful designs. Having a large cadre of Bluejacket builders to exchange ideas and experience with would be great. This is the first boat of this design so I am a bit on my own working out details. More challenge, I guess and if we didn't want challenges buying a boat would make more sense and who in their right mind would do that? How is your Bluejacket coming along? Cheers, Ken

Thanks Garry.