Maria CS20 104

DREAMER............ gotta love it. The kids would be amazed at what a monster CS could do. We had an old liberty launch, circa 1945, might have made 5 knots with a tail wind and her 4 banger rolling over as faast as it could. Question for you, do you have some pics of a centerboard and centerboard truck during the building of these two items? I am trying to scetch and cutout the parts and pieces for these as I await delivery of my fir and hoped to make progress, but a picture is worth 10,000 words in this process. I laid out the rudder blade, cheeks and doublers this weekend, cutout tonight and glue blade halves together, simpler than I thought. Thanks, Jim A

Guess what, I talked to John, owner of the lumber yard, he is getting rid of the douglas fir and has a special price. This stuff is #1, most is select material. He won't deliver today because of rain and doesn't want the load to get wet. He has another load in the area and mine will be on it. Here is hte great news, he is liquidating his fir stock and going to mostly cyprus, high demand in this are along with regular stock that he has higher demand for. His fir was marked at $2.59 a board foot for 1 inch stock material regardless of width. He is letting me get as much as I want for $1.50 a board foot, unreal, sometimes you get lucky. I was quoted $12 to $16 per board foot for the select #1 2" x 8 to 12 inch widths. I got that stuff for $5 per board foot. Think I need to get as much as I can afford, be tight with electricity doubleling in price, fuel fee has more than dobled the bill around here, pain in the foot to say the least. Some of you guys must be really getting hit hard, keep ya in our prayers on that one. Jim

I got my ideas for the hull forms from your pics, do you recall how far apart you spaced the forms when you set the hull in for sewing? We are CS20 #104. My son and I are getting ready to set the hull for stitching as soon as I get my fir in for sidewalls. Next, from start to launch how long would you say it has taken? Mom would like to know how long she cannot have her garage. Jim Atkinson

Reply to Russ, I see my gold mine message I tried to post yesterday evening finnaly showed up after I wrote and posted the same info. Russ I am in north central Louisiana, West Monroe and across the river is the shining metropolis of Monroe. The lumber yard I got the fir at is out on I-165 just north of monroe, all told about twenty five miles from my house as the road goes. I will be back at the yard today and tommorrow for sure and probably a little lighter in the wallet. Jim

Hey all, I went to the specialty lumber yard yesterday after calling him up and discussing the wood issues. A couple of weeks ago I got 5 1x8x7 foot fir boards for $5 each, a steal and when I bought them I questioned his pricing, but he said that was the price. He also told me at that time that he had limited amounts of 1-by but didn't remember any other fir material in storage. Yesterday, he said he thought he might have some 2-by stuff in the back dark corner of the 2nd barn and I was welcome to come look. I went out and found 2 2x12x16 footers clear and straight as an arrow, pretty tight rings as well. He apparently bought these in 1981 and these went unsold. I got them for $80 each. I looked a little further and didn't find any more but I had to get going. He told me to come back today or tommorrow and we could go through all the storage areas and another barn to see if he might have more. We spotted two 1x12x16 footers on the way out, they are holdibng them for me, $40 each. Mom said to get out the card and get all we can find, I agree this stuff has been stored well and although some have as much as a 1/16th dust cover, the wood is clear and straight. I think I found a wood mine and just hit pay dirt. Jim

Ray, look forward to seeing more of your pics and work, it is amazing to say the least. I saw that article as well and it clearly and truely inspired me to really get into this project on our cs20. My son was inspired as well. Best with the Sea Scout boat, I were one once, it was an amazing experiance and that's where I learned sailing and basic seamenship before going into the Navy and ending up on subs for 5 years. Folks like you are needed to train new leaders in this country. Blessing and Best to you and all involved. Jim Atkinson, CS20 104

Hey folks I'm back from the lumber yard, you won't believe what I found and bought. Douglas fir, a regular gold mine of 25 year old material the fellow bought in the early 1980's found and bought 2 2x12x16 foot clear sraight monsters for $80 each, picked up 4 more 1x8x7 footers for $5 each, total bill with delivery of 16 footers $195. UNREAL, he is no longer ordering any and told me to come out this next week and weekend a dig though his older barn for as much as I can fine at the same cost level. All good tight grained stuff, he has some hemlock but that stuff shatters when really dry. This has a 1/16 inch of dust on places, looks like my work is cut out for me. Wife says get out the credit card and get what I want, won't find this kind of material again, certianlynot in this area of the country, or maybe anywhere else. I did buy 5 of the 1x8x7 footers from him a few weeks ago and he said he didn'e have anymore but 1by materials, some of which I will gather, saw several 1x12x16 ers in another part of the shed when I got the 5 boards but really wanted 2by material. Called him yesterday and he remembered some stuff he thought he had in an out of the way corner, unfortuneatly no 4x4 material, lots of cyprus and no spruce. He has a really good pile of exotics and some teak, tempting but scary, I'll check out the price. Some of his material, according to him is 30 plus years old, including mahogany in 2by with significant lengths of 10 feet or more, it sure would look good for accent pieces. Keep ya posted. All side pieces and bottom pieces together, need to make and install stringers and it is then wire up time. For intalling the stringers, ideas on best method???? Already marked on sides, measured and marked before cutout. Thanks for the input 8) Jim

I am new to serious boat buildig, built a pram 42 years ago. This adventure reminds me of serious funiture work but I have several uncertianties that hopefully with the guide of you fine folks will become resloved during this adventure. The pictures of the fir were awesome and will help me explain this "wood working" stuff to my 23 year old son who happens to be my partner in this crime. I have a full wood shop, except lathe, and the equipment does not get used nearly as much as it should, embarrassing to say the least. I also have a bride of 26 years who has been known on occassion to cut frozen fish with my radial arm saw (until I made her usse the band saw), again embarrassing to say the least. : Jim

Thanks Charlie, I was most concerned about the keel plank and the keel itself. I figured I could get quite a bit of very straight material from 4 x 4's. I've build a few cabinets and several pieces of furniture in the past, including some elaborate night stands. Several kitchen roll around cabinets and I used 4 x 4 ;s for legs, I found that long lengths of douglas fir were usually very straight, being a bit more spendy the yards usually kept them in a secure dry area. Nice thing was no warp, cracks and fir I have used had no knots or sap pockets. I had little waste as I cut these down and all the left over material was perfect on weight and strength for side and bottom framing on these units. I used to get them in New Orleans, but that is four and a half hours away. I had to go there for my plywood and I should have gotten the fir then, but my old brain is fairly single tracked and takes one thing at a time. I am headed over to the fellow on I-165 here in a minunte to see what we can come up with. Thanks again for the feedback. Keep ya posted. Jim

My plan was to cut them down to exact dimensions and scarf as necessary, I am new at this what would you recommend? Help Jim

I am in North Central Louisiana halfway between Shreveport LA. and Vicksburg MS. I will keep looking, there is a specialty lumber guy here but he has had dimensional lumber only 3/4 in thickness which will work for deck frames, and might be planed for other uses. Maybe he can order me some 4 x 4 's in 12 to 16 foot length, I'll have to call today and find out. If I have to order fromo elsewhere I will have to check with Ray F or Graham for potential locations close by. Thanks for the encouragement. Jim

I have been trying like heck to get some Douglas Fir and had little luck with some dimensional stock but nothing of significant size and not much quantity. Obviously need some long material for stringer etc. I am at the point of getting ready to put butterfly together, all but one joint to finish for a side of the boat. What alternatives in lumber would be suitable in strength and durability? Cyprus? No spruce available that isn't pieced 2 x 6's. What are others doing. Will take pictures of the parts and pieces and the garage setup we have established as "Boat Central" for the time being and get them into the system this week. Wife is amazing lady, I can't seem to ask for some item to use and she has no objection, she say's she can see this boat in my eyes and she is excited to see it form up and come together. Any ideas on lumber substitute for fir???? Jim A

We have completed all the hull cuttouts and are working on getting clear and square Fir for all frame members. No an easy task, but have two very competent companies looking and should have most this weekend. Did pick up some odd 1x8 x 7 ft. fir boards for $5 each, roughly 30 board feet. Covered with thick dust been in dry storage for several years, looking for more of the same, will dig through the storage buildings more this week. Hope to tape panels together this weekend and allow for a weeks curing in prep for beginning the "sew-up" next week. Plan is to have the hull stiched, taped, and completed on the outside tape, epoxy coats and keel by the 4th of July. Time is moving faster than me. Jim

I am looking at a putting on a 4 to 5 hp motor on the 104, is it necessary to change to 3/8th ply or double up on 1/4"? How is the transom best braced for the additional loading and torque of the 75 lbs and operating motor? Ideas? I am ready to cut transom, any pictures of motor mounting and bracing that have proven successfull? Jim

We are back, cut out the sides over the weekend had a blast, power planed the bottom into fair and it was awesome, I am giving up sanding, this Bosch unit is controllable from 1/64 to 1/16 and very light weight. Sanded in edge with 100 grit and 150 grit. Will lay out most of bottom this evening and tomorrow evening, double up Friday and cut Saturday, transom and bulkheads hopefully this week end and we should begin sewing next week when son Pat is out of school for the summmer. We are taking pictures and will get them on line shortly Jim

Thanks for the redirect, I can build anything, just can't stand to fiddle with computers even thought I have had one since the TRash 80 came out using cassette tapes. We are currently waiting for our package from Carla including epoxy and tape, and I pick up some 16 foot spruce planks this weekend. We have fairly good specialty wood dealer, spendy but extensive stock, I'll be gertting some mahogany from them later. Appreciate the tips on cut large and plain in to the finer dimensions. Does the Ocume plane well on the edge or should I take thinner cut due to end grain? Layout has begun and cutting will commence this weekend. Wife and mother in law (she lives with us) are going to NC summer house in three weeks or so and more full time effort will be possible as I will not be entertaining the ladies and my son and I won't be worrying about housework while we live in the garage and build calluses. I am excited and as I told Pat the launch date would be around January 30th and our first expidition is scheduled for April month end a year from now (one weeks cruise on the intercoastaal waterway Jacksonville to Cocoa Beach FL.). Must not let the excitement overcome patience and good judgement. Get back to you next week Jim

Thanks for the information folks, time to grip and rip, no time like the present, layout of CS20 104 begins this weekend. My son Pat, bless his heart, wants a work schedule and progress plan. He's ex army recent war vet, got out year and a half ago at the end of his tour. He'll figure out soon that this is an adventure and not a project, but he'll also keep us moving forward. He wants a launch commitment date, I told him we are not NASA. Jim

Have built a pram and repaired, polished and cleaned boats as a Sea Explorer in high school, have done a lot of furniture and some cabinets in the past several years. Cleaned a lot of submarine bilges in 9 years too. We have a full wood shop minus a lathe. You indicated a circular saw makes better line, will it make the required curves or do I intervene with jigsaw and then continue with skill saw? Jim Atkinson Maria (pronounced marriah, is the name of the wind in a song in the movie Paint your Wagon) is the name we have dubbed our boat

Hello there, we, our family, are the proud owner of plan for CS20 104. Got plans in November. Built cradles for transom, center and bow at the beginning of this month. Monday this week picked up Okume in New Orleans at Riverside Lumber. Price has shot up with increases in shipping and low dollar. Made in France and spendy. $99.50 for 3/8 and $87 for 1/4. the wallet still hurts but I'm sticking to Grahams recommendations. I went 300 miles to pick it up, Riverside folks were great. Co-onwer of Riverside said he expected as much as 8% to 40% increase through 2008, don't know where he got the figure, things are a bit pricey in the Big Easy. Now for my first few of hundreds of questions during this adventure: What is the first step in laying out bottom and side cuts, does one glass the boards together before layout and cutting, do you tack thte boards end to end and layout then cutout and glass, and what is the recommended cutout tool, what blade (teeth per inch)????? HELP