HighDesert Posted June 1, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2023 Its finally Spring in Utah and time to move this boat out of the shop and onto a trailer. It has been on a building jig with casters, so moving it about is easy and I have chain hoists in the shop. Unfortunately, hoisting it high enough to get it on a trailer makes it too tall for the overhead door. We pulled it out of the shop on planks and then tackled the problem of hoisting it outside. To make a long story a little shorter, I considered and rejected all kinds of ideas before settling on a contraption I thought I had invented. After sketching it up, I recognized my creation and realized someone had already invented the Gantry crane. We've all seen them in industrial settings. I built one for each end of the boat out of wood. They only had to be high and wide enough to get the trailer under the boat. The boat isn't nearly finished yet, but once on the trailer, I couldn't resist taking her on a field trip. We spent quite a bit of time working on the waterline painting and I have been anxious to see how she will sit on her lines. I suppose its cheating, but I read that Sam Devlin does a private "Builder's Launch" before delivering boats to clients. I called my sneaky little trip to the water a "Float Test". It turns out she floats just fine. Now, back to work...some electrical, trimwork, rubrails, etc.. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hirilonde Posted June 1, 2023 Report Share Posted June 1, 2023 White and varnish, looks great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HighDesert Posted June 1, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2023 Thanks Dave. I was torn between a dark or light hull and happy with the white. Happy with the whole journey, so far. Oops, it looks like I inadvertently posted doubles of that sketch. That seems to happen frequently to me on this website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kennneee Posted June 1, 2023 Report Share Posted June 1, 2023 Carter- That is a gorgeous boat! Congrats on a quality build. Soon you get to reap the rewards of all of the dust, work and thinking that went into this creation. I hope you are deservedly full of pride when you look at her. Name? Thanks for sharing. Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W Posted June 1, 2023 Report Share Posted June 1, 2023 Wow, she looks great. What an accomplishment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Silsbe Posted June 3, 2023 Report Share Posted June 3, 2023 You nailed it! She floats perfectly on her lines. What a sweet boat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HighDesert Posted June 3, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2023 Thanks guys. Now that she’s seen a little freedom, I think it’s going to be difficult to keep her on the farm until she’s 100% ready. Ken, I’ve struggled with a name. I’ll probably just stick with HighDesert. It’s entirely appropriate plus, although I’d love to use your sweet (and very wise) boat naming strategy, there are just too many deserving females in my life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HighDesert Posted July 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2023 I could use some advice regarding insurance. My auto and homeowner insurance company (USAA) does not offer boat insurance. They referred me to Progressive, who doesn't seem to like kit boats. I tried to another company, but they didn't like the idea that the hull is primarily wood, even though it is sheathed with fiberglass and epoxy resin inside and out. I tried to word 'composite' on the agent, but only got several seconds of dead air. Surely, there is a company that will write policies for our boats. Am I being too forthcoming? Would it be accurate to call the Outer Banks series fiberglass boats? Insurance companies seem to be more comfortable with them. On the other hand, as I think about new tactics, I'm realizing that liability is my main concern and not so much damage to my boat as I would be the person to repair almost any damage the boat might incur. Your thoughts and recommendations will be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy B Posted July 21, 2023 Report Share Posted July 21, 2023 Try Hagerty: https://www.hagerty.com/insurance/boat-insurance/small-craft-insurance/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul356 Posted July 21, 2023 Report Share Posted July 21, 2023 I just got coverage on a "kit"/composite thru progressive, but liability and rescue only, not property damage. I.e., no payment for loss if the boat is damaged. Not sure if that helps you. It was all on line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HighDesert Posted July 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2023 Thanks guys. That's exactly what I was looking for. I'll contact Progressive again and get a quote from Hagerty, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Silsbe Posted July 22, 2023 Report Share Posted July 22, 2023 I have full coverage on my scratch-built boat. I have Farmers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hirilonde Posted July 22, 2023 Report Share Posted July 22, 2023 5 hours ago, Paul356 said: I just got coverage on a "kit"/composite thru progressive, but liability and rescue only, not property damage. I.e., no payment for loss if the boat is damaged. Not sure if that helps you. It was all on line. Property damage is for the damage you do to other property. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul356 Posted July 22, 2023 Report Share Posted July 22, 2023 Well, whatever the term, if my boat gets dinged, it's on me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul356 Posted August 1, 2023 Report Share Posted August 1, 2023 "physical damage" is the term they used, i see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reacher Posted August 2, 2023 Report Share Posted August 2, 2023 I have a 22' home built plywood/ fiberglass boat with coverage from American Family. The policy is mainly for property damage to others and liability for injuries to others or my passengers. The coverage on the boat is for "actual cash value" which probably translates to "not much". The liability limits are 500k and the annual premium is $168. I think the significant factor in determining the rate is horsepower of the motor. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HighDesert Posted July 31 Author Report Share Posted July 31 I suppose nearly everyone visiting this forum has built a boat, or two, and has answered the questions and heard the nice comments at each boat launch, as well as, enjoyed the thumbs up exchanges with other boats on the water and cars passing on the highway. I sure have, but this phenomenon may have a more robust life out here in the interior where boats like the ones we build are not all that common. Last week I experienced the most unexpected boat ramp conversation yet. As Joan and I hauled our OB20 up the ramp and began to tie it down and do the other things to get ready to leave, I noticed a tall gentleman with a floppy sun hat watching us and grinning. I knew that very soon I would be answering all those standard questions and perhaps encouraging him to build a boat of his own. We were at Starvation Reservoir, a state park in North Central Utah. Ready for him to ask if I had restored that boat, he shocked me and said, “That's an Outer Banks 20 and your name is Carter, isn't it?”. I was speechless. Steve and Dianna, who enjoy restoring old boats and airplanes, were camping their way from Little Rock, Arkansas, where they are restoring an eighty-year-old Stinson, to their home in Seattle. They enjoy visiting state parks along the way. They chose Starvation because of its convenient location straddling US40 and, of course, the curious name. Steve told me he spotted us on the water from his campsite and recognized the boat as an Outer Banks 20 and knew whose it was on account of the 'swoosh' on the side. Steve is obviously a frequent visitor to the Messing About/BandB Yacht Designs forum...and an avid boat guy. Completing our work on the ramp and ending the nice conversation, Joan and I took off. After a few miles of silence, we looked at each other and said, “What are doing?” and returned to the campground to search for out-of-state license plates hoping to find Steve's campsite. Steve and Dianna followed us home for dinner and a night at our place. The following morning they departed for Bear Lake State Park on the Utah/Idaho state line. You meet the nicest people pursuing this hobby. I'm sure we will stay in touch with Steve and Dianna and visit them in Washington someday...maybe even meet them at Port Townsend for the boat festival. Another nice surprise and benefit of this boatbuilding hobby was running into this gentleman and his wife last month while Joan and I were on a bike and boat cruise through the Czech Republic. Dan and Sherri are from Chicago; Dan builds beautiful model boats. A few words about the boat. The last time I posted I mentioned having some electrics to finalize, a little interior trim work to finish and rubrails to fabricate and install. The problem with launching the boat before it was really ready is my list now includes all the above, plus fabrication and installation of a small bowsprit for the anchor roller, companionway doors and hatch, plus its already time for a few maintenance items. Still the best hobby and the very best boat for me. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kennneee Posted July 31 Report Share Posted July 31 Great post Carter. So glad you are enjoying your OB. I sure love mine! Yes, you meet some nice people because of these boats. Heck, I had a nice guy named Carter visit me a few years back to see Rosie. Last week a talented professional boatbuilder paid me a visit to explore a OB 26 build for his family. Great community, eh. Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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