jshaley

Happy New Year! Three quick questions: Would love to hear from someone who has built Vardo (or similar) and has had success tucking a few dry bags in it for camping? Does it lend itself well? Hatches a necessity? Thoughts? Would the Vardo work for paddlers of small (5' 100lbs) and large (6' 225 lbs) as well? Cutting frames from 1/2 plywood. Could you cut out the 6 sides from 1/4' plywood and laminate to reduce waste? Or would the added need for glue/epoxy eat up any savings. We are attracted to the low cost and complexity of this build as a possible youth group choice - paying the very reasonable additional per boat fee as we add to fleet. Thank you John

Short shot was built for your wife, Can you point to some guidance on what makes a kayak better for someone smaller (wife, kids, etc). I would think length but do not want to compromise cruising speed. Would short shot be good for paddlers between 80-180lbs?

Greetings, Any update on the availability of study plans for the Outer Banks 20? John

If the sections are flat enough, you might be able to use "Peel Ply" and avoid some of the sanding. Please note, I have read about it, and read good things from folks who have used it, but have not used it yet myself. Peel Ply: http://www.clcboats.com/shop/products/boat-building-supplies-epoxy-fiberglass-plywood/marine-epoxy-fiberglass/west-system-release-fabric.html John

Oops. By "tough" I meant coastal cruiser vs lakes and bays. I see that the Bay River skiff - is just that meant more for protected waterways. Where the CS17 and its brethren are up to the Everglades Challenge. I find the lap strake look appealing but the hull shapes are different. As for the boat I truly want Carla is sending study plans of the OBX 20. But that is a lot of boat. When I read the details and speed of the CS 17 I started to stray a bit.

The CS 17 is a tough little boat with a proven racee record. The Lapwing is a new design, and for me, more appealing to the eye. Do you think it is as tough as the CS 17 though? I know the CS 17 has been compared to the BayRiver Skiff and is the tougher boat. I am not sure where the Lapwing fits in. JH

Yes - plywood is only a part. I like your 20% number because I am thinking I would be surprised to have the boat come in below $20k. 10oz fiberglass does not grow on trees either. Epoxy, paint and yes "sandpaper." Friends and family are tired of hearing me say you can't go wrong with clamps or sand paper for a gift. I was pleasantly surprised that Graham recommends fir and southern yellow pine. Some other builders suggest mahogany or some such exotic wood which pushes the price.

Wayne, I did order the CD for the Outer Banks 20 and thought it was well worth the money. It arrived 2 or 3 days after I ordered it (thanks Carla!). I may have to order a different one though - for the Outer Banks it had a lot of photos but it looks like they were taken at two separate times. So I did not get a lot of construction over time shots. There is the blog of the Marissa, which is very informative but I believe that boat uses "panel" construction rather than the cold molding process required for the Ocracoke and Outer Banks. Graham, Do you have a CD with cold molding shots? Most of the sources I am finding use the 3 layer 90 degree method. Or am I making this to complicated? Your explanation of spiling was very straight forward. John

Greetings, I am in a similar position - interested in the Outer Banks 20. Although there is interest, I know of only one built. But this does not scare me off so much. I had some questions and was able to call the designer (Graham) directly and he was very informative. I am building a small day sailor now, the Skerry by Chesapeake Light Craft. A much simpler boat but plans were $90 and these were not full size. Glen-L has similar pricing. With B&B I like that it is not only the plans, you get phone access to the designer. In a pinch, I think that is going to be a big help. I also have been searching the web, and got a few books on the cold molding process. These plans use the "ashcroft" method which is a bit simpler, but I still wish to read up on them Hope this helps somewhat. Good luck with your choice and build. John

Greetings, I had a pleasant chat with Graham yesterday. An official Materials List for the Outer Banks is not yet available. In an effort to get a rough number I asked if doubling the plywood requirements of the Marissa would be a fair start and he agreed. The Outer Banks 20 is longer, and of course has the cabin to consider. Using the Marissa numbers as a start and pricing from Chesapeake Light Craft for the lumber this is what I came up with: [table] [tr][td]Qty[/td][td]Size[/td][td]Price[/td][td]Subtotal[/td][/tr] [tr][td]30[/td][td]9mm[/td][td]$89[/td][td]$2670[/td][/tr] [tr][td]8[/td][td]6mm[/td][td]$69[/td][td]$552[/td][/tr] [tr][td]2[/td][td]12mm[/td][td]$99[/td][td]$198[/td][/tr] [tr][td][/td][td][/td][td]Total:[/td][td]$3420[/td][/tr] [/table] Now, this is rough scratch work and for plywood only. Please note that B&B sells plywood at a much better price than what I used (but they do not ship). I am just trying to get to within $5k of what the project would cost. So I know I need to budget about $4k for wood. Not sure about epoxy. A new 40hp motor would cost about $6k. Any feed back on this fuzzy math would be highly appreciated. John

20% of total trailer & load weight on the hitch is a rule of thumb used by RV'rs.

Oops, to Clarify Princess. I mean the good ship Princess which seems to be the 1st build of the Outer Banks 20, not the two sharpie designs offered by B&B.

Greetings, Does anyone have an idea about the materials list, even just the ply, for the Outer Banks 20? The B&B site lists the following for the Marissa: 15 sheets of 9mm, 4 sheets of 6mm, and one sheet of 12mm. I also am curious how much of this should be marine (Okoume) versus other. From looking at the pictures of the Princess on the site it appears that some of the ply on the interior may not be Okoume. Of course from other threads it looks like Graham is tweaking the design a bit to satisfy requests for more power, so this info might change. I can give the a call but figured I'd try the group first and share whatever info comes my way. John Rochester NY