Jump to content

Building a Two Paw 8 for Trailer Camping


Don Silsbe

Recommended Posts


I’m pecking away at this little boat, step-by-step.  I thought I was getting ready for the big “Cut ‘er Up” step, until I consulted my instructions.  Darn!  I needed to do the quarterknees.  That was my morning— cutting and tweaking these little parts, until I was happy with the fit.  Incidentally, I want to share one of my tricks with you.  I use Adams’ foam board to make my patterns.  You can buy a sheet of it at the Dollar Tree/General/Store for a buck.  It marks up easily.  It cuts with a knife or scissors.  Notchy curves can be sweetened with some sandpaper.  Best of all, you can photocopy your plans and spray-glue them to this board, and cut it out with a razor knife.  I love this stuff!

C42D3972-6111-4B0F-A29E-D952AB005FF0.jpeg

A41B7C65-00F3-43C8-ABA7-956D65AC6A5B.jpeg

9A867BA1-F17E-4E61-A861-76A8261B2DF5.jpeg

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

That’s what I thought, Chick.  But according to the instructions, the keel comes after the outside seams have been taped.  Very soon, I get to cut her up.  Then, I do my outside taping, button her back together, and work on the keel.  That’s the plan.  But first, I need to get my bulkhead bolts back in place.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I did the dirty deed today— I cut a perfectly good boat in two.  It went well.  I tried using my Roto-Zip.  It was OK, but a little hairy.  A sharp handsaw worked best.  I started with my grandfather’s old saw, but switched to a sharp one later on.  Don Rausch stopped by to help.

5C135196-399C-4EAF-8BC2-AF3572856903.jpeg

6714A263-5826-4082-BC1C-C7A7AF4B3605.jpeg

74E3B50F-8857-4094-8F5E-72FC0B1FA35B.jpeg

5B1C8594-6488-405C-9F29-F6CEECA6E94F.jpeg

C62DAE6F-A9A9-491A-A8C3-FCA9F69D3E6F.jpeg

3084C73F-15A0-40D0-9E90-CF36BC30BF46.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

Long time, no post.  Florida called, we answered.  Actually, a friend in Sarasota invited us down for a week.  I got the OK from the War Department and our gracious host, so we towed Local Honey along behind.  On the way, we did one night at Cedar Key.  What an interesting place for small boats!  Probably the best day was sailing with two other guys in Honey on Sarasota Bay.  We had a good breeze, and she simply flew through the water.

 

Back home, I got cracking on TP8.  I got the forward compartment (would that be a bow-zarette?) primed and painted.  The lid (seat/deck) went on, and it’s all taped in place.  I also worked on my daggerboard slot.  Here are a few photos.

 

Still thinking of names.  “Schizo” is a little too edgy for me.  Thinking about “2 Bits”.

5651E08B-F45D-4BE7-AE68-10FF0899F011.jpeg

46C3EB1A-4889-4B84-97E6-F26991E0D868.jpeg

9F255F7D-4992-4607-98F3-1F98404835E9.jpeg

5A1504FF-DE66-41B6-9AA3-1515E7CF185F.jpeg

291F9AE7-A435-4EC1-A881-B0E95015B739.jpeg

D28C398E-5D9B-4BE2-962E-82A2F900F18C.jpeg

32F464E3-0ABE-4FF8-AA09-EB69074FB728.jpeg

F0D9BB3C-ED68-4591-A825-CB9D22BB3FD0.jpeg

4D846D2C-D830-4A90-A03A-0314B6B35D57.jpeg

05F53463-BC7D-4850-A67B-3B397BFEFABC.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

I’m pecking away at the pram.  I’ve faired out most of the lumps in the forward half.  The daggerboard trunk is about ready to be glued in.  I wanted to tape it in place, but I had some bowing in my side plates.  I needed these reinforcements to flatten it out.  

F6C66A12-3450-4D8B-AA22-E2DEAE755279.jpeg

BD49DB62-73C4-4E75-9E6A-90D236CBC164.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Don- I have been lurking along with your build. Looks like a sweet little boat.  When I get ROSIE in the water (“the last boat I am going to build”), I will need a dinghy.  Might have to get started on a nesting dingy like yours. 

As far as names go, in the 80’s I built 2 nesting dingys designed by Danny Greene. The first one got stolen the first time I used it. The design was called 2 bits.  Since my sailboat was called Cats Cradle, the logical name for the tender was Cat Box.

Ken

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I’ve been under the weather, but I did complete the d/b trunk.  All that’s left for this half is to finalize the forward hatch, fair & sand, prime and paint.  I did mentally switch over to thinking about the floatation tanks for the after half.  I think I’m going to do mine much like Pete McCrary’s TP7.  I want more agressive floatation when my grandkids are sailing.  Maybe these can be add-ons.  At least I’m nearly done with the forward interior.

EFCD6C8A-2EF3-4CB0-9E38-4AA44291E38E.jpeg

D8506820-B2C5-4BBC-AAB5-AA805D0CE09E.jpeg

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

OK, the lull is over.  The Spring Messabout inspired me to get rolling again.

 

I live it, when I can borrow techniques from one hobby to another; it sort of justifies both of them.  Chick Ludwig introduced me to RC airplanes.  Flite Test’s products have taught me the value of Adams foam board ($1/sheet!) and a hot melt glue gun.  I used foam board to cut precise patterns for my aft seats.  Then, I used those scraps to hold the pieces in position for the fillets. I’m pleased with the results.

F576BA0B-D5C3-47B2-819E-8242EFD64863.jpeg

00FBA80C-ADE0-4D06-8F92-00920EF4DDA9.jpeg

15230721-FD44-4606-8A68-9F932489CF22.jpeg

1B7949AB-418B-49F9-A477-3D342C0968F2.jpeg

My big question:  Do I really need inspection ports in these air chambers?  PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

44 minutes ago, Thrillsbe said:

 

My big question:  Do I really need inspection ports in these air chambers?  PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE!

 

I never put them in my Spindrift and after 8 seasons of casual use and 2 of leaving it in the water for the whole 5 months I have experienced no issues.  I highly recommend a light colored interior (at least) if you do not install them.  Mine is a white hull with pale green interior.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.