Topbarhive

I coated my canoe frame and the "cloth" with oil based spar varnish, it gave the cloth a lovely "natural" color, it also brings out details in the wood. I also used 5.2mm "underlayment" from the "box stores"; 2 layers - thick for my frames; 1 layer for the floor boards.

Here are several pics of the boat I just finished building. I can't say who designed it, I know who, but I can't say who...yet! Used Kudzu - medium grade sinew to tie keel, stringers, and floor-boards to the frames. (the gunwales were installed with SS screws -- sorry -- that's what the plans called for) Topbarhive

I built one for the Church's Vacation Bible school, they needed a "row boat" for their "swamp theme" so I saw the plans for the Harley 8, and since I had a sheet of ply (just waiting for something to do with it) I built it. BUT I used another 1/8 sheet of ply for the transom (12" X 4') not to plans... Painted it pea green (owl and pussy cat poem) and lines to look like it was built with boards, and it was a great prop. I've added the lee board and the rudder (both to the free plans). I started on the mast (not to plans) using a 2"X2" cut off from a 2"X12" BUT when I was 80% done I discovered a crack in middle of it... I haven't finished the boat yet, BUT I will during the "COLD WHITE TIME" in Vermont, USA (winter). Here is a picture of it in a link to my Flickr account. http://www.flickr.com/photos/41863123@N07/3859717958/#in/set-72157624093713897/ Will POST again when she's finished. In the mean time I built a PDRacer (which is now called an OZ Racer) "a long story about the name -- won't go into it" Here are some videos of the boat I was building the at the same time I was building the Harley 8: Topbarhive

HI, all... I launched my plywood boat Duck Beat two weeks ago (Saturday) in 30mph winds (I didn't know at the time, how fast the wind was blowing). I built her out of 5.2mm underlayment plywood from the "big box lumber/hardware store" (the ply cost $11 per sheet - cheap enough for me), I used PL Premium (wasted more than I really used) to glue her together. It took me over two years to get her into the water -- family - work - etc -etc - etc had taken most of my time... I found most of the materials for the "1-bys" and "2-bys" in dumpsters, as well as the material to sew the poly tarp sail (aprox 85 ft square), the paint was leftover from various projects, except the oil based primer and the Thompson's Water Shield which was purchased just for this boat. She sailed well, I haven't sailed since I was dating my wife (+30 ago), and I took Duck Beat out alone just to prove to my friends, which had gathered (along with my family) to watch her sink or float -- they didn't care which. My youngest son brought along a digital film camera (from his school) to record the event for a "YouTube video". The first time out, was OK, until I tried to turn around, I got stuck in "irons" (at least I think that's what it is called) I tried and tried, but each time I would have trouble with the line tripping up my feet, the tiller extension getting stuck against the side flotation tanks, (yes, it is on the video -- silly son). Anyway, I got her back, and picked up my wife, and after a period of time...convinced her to come on a sail with me. I was thrilled, she was not as thrilled as me she sat in the middle and I sat on the side (to the back), BUT the wind WAS blowing, and she got a lot of spray over the bow, we almost tipped a time (or two) but I managed to get us out, turn around (perfectly this time) and back in. I was beaming, my smile could light up the night (my friends later said that if I had died right then, the undertaker wouldn't be able to get the smile off my face LOL). I've included the links to the YouTube video: AND yes I do welcome any corrective comments to my sailing ability... Topbarhive