Kennneee

Hi All, Making a bit of progress. Bottom planked and chine flats installed. Started bending stringers this afternoon. The only rub so far has been a problem with the forward sections of the bottom planking which are 2 layers of 6mm. In order to bend them fairly they do not make contact with all of the frames. The joy of being the "beta" tester of a new design. The bow is slightly fuller now than the original drawing. Graham didn't think it was an issue. Looks good. Hope to get the other stringers in place this week and then on to planking the sides. Cheers, Ken

Great discussion. Keep the questions and answers rolling in!

Jay, I am on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia. Cheers, Ken

Hi All, Making some progress. Should start bottm planking next week. More pics at this link: https://goo.gl/photos/42vU3BKQDsnMxbPp9 Cheers, Ken

The epoxies I would like to learn more about are the supposedly less toxic varieties. Duckworks now has one that is claimed to be good in a milkshake and then there are the ones made from tree sap. I am reluctant to jump on that bandwagon until they pass the test of time. I have had a couple of bad experiences with paints and finishes that were the latest, greatest stuff. Anybody have experience to share about these products? Thanks!

Hi Guys, Thanks for sharing your collective wisdom. I am an old dog that has lots of new tricks to learn. I get into a way of doing things and have had a hard time trying something different. Been building boats for most of my life but never using the Ashcroft method of planking. Of course many techniquues work on different types of construction. There are techniques and products that have proven themselves over time and there is great value in that. Most of my boatbuiding in the last 20 or so years has been strip kayaks and surfskis. I used WEST 105 and 207 for many years and it worked well for the glassing of the bright hulls. Around 10 or so years ago System Three offered to supply me with their SilverTip resin for one of my builds. I found it wet out easier and preferred it ever since. That got me thinking that other products might be worth playing with. I also tried another brand ( will go unnamed) and it was crap. Not all new things are a winner. I have a shelf full of powders that I have always used for thickining, filets, etc. They work fine. Again, got a sample of GelMagic a few years back and found it worked great for vertical and overhead glueing. That stuff just doesn't run and makes for a neater job. It is more expensive than mixing your own, for sure, but not that much is you can get it wholesale ( they just released an improved version). I tend to use this stuff a lot. I am pretty frugal but maybe getting lazy. I am open to trying time saving materials and techniques these days. System 3 just gave me a sample of their T-88 to try. It is a 50/50 mix and a bit thicker than most of their other products. I guess it was developed for the aircraft industry and is a bit more flexible that than their standard epoxies. That is the product their techs recommend for this application. Ask 5 boatbuilders and you have 10 answers . I REALLY appreciate the feedback and help. I once thought I had all of the answers and have come to realize I have more questions every day. Thanks for the help guys! Please keep the advice coming. Cheers, Ken

Hi All, I am building an Outer Banks 26 and have been thinking about the glue and technique for applying the second layer of plywood when planking. I was reading Sam Devlin's book and he makes mention of applying a second layer of plywood with UNTHICKENED EPOXY. I know many builders trowel a thickened coat on. There is more than one way to skin a boat and would love some discussion on technique as well as epoxy preferences. I have been using System 3 Silver Tip for the last 12 years with good results with my strip builds. Never have done Ashcroft before and wonder if anybody has tried their T-88 or Gelmagic for this purpose. Any input greatly appreciated. Thanks! Cheers, Ken

Blueheron, Thanks for the input. Since the original post I started building an Outer Banks 26. It is a new design that Graham is still working on to complete. I have enough to build the hull and should have the frames standing up very soon. Ken

Hi Ken, There are no OB24's finished to my knowledge. I was hoping for a theoretical comparison from those who know more about power boat design than I do. Since I posted this, I have started building an Outer Banks 26. Any thoughts on the two designs are still appreciated. Thanks. Ken

rmays, Thanks for the input. Cheers, Ken

Makenmend- Those are good questions. Graham suggested a 90hp when we first discussed the design. He is still working on answering those other questions. As I mentioned in my last post this is a brand new design and the details are still being worked out. Hoping to get performance figures soon. Ken

Hi All, Just began construction on a new Outer Banks design. A few months back I spoke to Graham about building a OB 24 with a few modifications. Long story short, he decided to start from scratch and the Outer Banks 26 is born. Graham and Alan are still working on finishing the entire plan set but have sent me enough to get started. I have the keel constructed, stringers milled and scarfed, transom laminated and most of the frames cut out. I have been lurking here for a few months and am blown away by the wealth of knowledge and great community spirit. Looking forward to input from you all as I go through the building process. Cheers, Ken

Hi All- I would love some input on the performance comparison between these two designs. I saw the drawing for the OB 24 first and it was love at first sight. The Bluejacket is also a lovely design and both designers seem to have done imprssive work! Plans are on the way for the OB but before I start cutting wood, some insights from those more knowledgable than me would be helpful. My background is sail and paddle and don't have much experience with power boats of this sort. I will be using the boat in the PNW and British Columbia. I am sure either design will work well. The BJ seems to have a bit less deadrise and larger flat sections on the aft chine sections and a fuller bow. The photos of it under power show little bow lift and stern squating at all speeds. Since there are no OB24's completed to my knowledge, I can only guess how it will perform. Any thoughts are appreciated. Life could be worse than having to choose between these 2 designs! Ken

Hi, New to the forum and considering an Outer Banks 20. Been building all sorts of boats for most of my life. Most often from plans having never seen the boat in the flesh. Perhaps I am finally getting smart and would like to have a look at an Outer Banks 20 before deciding to build one. I live in British Columbia near Vancouver Island and wonder if there is one anywhere nearby that I might be able to check out. Thanks in advance. Cheers, Ken