Don Silsbe Posted July 13, 2020 Report Posted July 13, 2020 About two months ago, I decided to build a new rowing “shell”. My old friend and mentor Don Rausch and I have been lusting over this boat for many years. Five years ago, maybe seven, we even cut out the forms. Finally, I bit the bullet, and ordered a new set of plans. (Couldn’t find the old set!). I’ve been cutting out patterns and panels. The last couple of days I finally got to wire the panels together. Here’s a photo of the boat I’m planning to build, and some build photos to get you caught up. Quote
Don Silsbe Posted July 13, 2020 Author Report Posted July 13, 2020 By the way, I cannot afford $650 for a Piantedosi drop in sliding seat, or the Dreher oars at $530. I’ll be building a sliding seat system from Angus Row Boats in Vancouver, and building my own oars. That comes second, however. For starters, It’ll be a fixed seat and my 8’ oars. In the meantime, I’m rowing a friend’s Sam Devlin Bella 10. It has been so much fun, that I got four foot fever! Quote
Hirilonde Posted July 13, 2020 Report Posted July 13, 2020 I am moving to a community in Florida with some man made ponds that they allow unpowered boats on. I am considering a row boat of some kind for exercise, and, well, errr, an excuse to build another boat. Will likely go with a classic, but will be following your thread. Quote
Don Silsbe Posted July 13, 2020 Author Report Posted July 13, 2020 @Hirilonde— Sam’s Bella 10 has classic lines that I really love. The good news is that he also has a Bella 12. Here’s a video of the 10, that my wife took today. It scoots along very nicely. https://devlinboat.com/product/bella-12-plans/ IMG_1642.MOV Quote
Don Silsbe Posted July 18, 2020 Author Report Posted July 18, 2020 I’ve got nearly all my exterior seams feathered in nicely. All the while I was working the ROS, I was thinking about Chick Ludwig’s immaculate seams. It inspired me to work extra hard on them. I still have the uppermost seam to sand down. I’m hoping to sheath the exterior with fiberglass this Tuesday. Quote
Chick Ludwig Posted July 19, 2020 Report Posted July 19, 2020 Looks like your usual great job! I always admire your work, especially your finish work. You're "quacking" right along on this one. Soon it will be time to social distance your way down to the lake. Quote
Don Silsbe Posted July 19, 2020 Author Report Posted July 19, 2020 I took these this morning. I still need to sand the seam and panel closest to the sheer. She is only draped onto these molds, and lifts right off. They help to eliminate twist and other nasties. @Hirilonde— here’s the Bella 12 I was talking about. https://devlinboat.com/product/bella-12-plans/ 1 Quote
Nick C Posted July 27, 2020 Report Posted July 27, 2020 Looking sleek! What weight cloth are you using? Quote
Don Silsbe Posted August 2, 2020 Author Report Posted August 2, 2020 I think it’s 7oz. Every seam gets two layers of glass, inside and out. I think it’s overkill, but I’m building faithfully to the specs. What do you think? Quote
Don Silsbe Posted August 2, 2020 Author Report Posted August 2, 2020 I’ve flipper her over, and have installed the breasthook & quarter knees, and taped all the seams. I’ve made the rough cuts for the sliding sear. I’ll use this to help position the center bulkheads. I’ve also made the scarfs for the gunwales. Now, we will go camping, and the boat will rest for almost a week. Quote
Jknight611 Posted August 10, 2020 Report Posted August 10, 2020 Don, that is really nice! Beautiful lines and with your perfect finish you will have a show piece. (Which will give an excuse not to go rowing very often.) 1 Quote
Don Silsbe Posted August 15, 2020 Author Report Posted August 15, 2020 I an adding floatation chambers fore and aft. Since I have some swell plans from B&B, I am adding sealing hatches to keep my stuff in. Aft one will be lockable, because of the GPS. Quote
Hirilonde Posted August 15, 2020 Report Posted August 15, 2020 Where are you going in a row boat that you need a GPS? Quote
Chick Ludwig Posted August 15, 2020 Report Posted August 15, 2020 9 hours ago, Hirilonde said: Where are you going in a row boat that you need a GPS? Ya musta missed the part about the big Merc 150 he's gonna hang on it. 1 Quote
Don Silsbe Posted August 15, 2020 Author Report Posted August 15, 2020 I row in a narrow reservoir. I have a couple of routes in the GPS that guide me around the center of the lake, and give me my desired mileage. Quote
Don Silsbe Posted August 15, 2020 Author Report Posted August 15, 2020 This is where I am, before I go camping. The bulkheads are wired in, and the glass tape partially sanded. I used the sliding seat frame to locate the center bulkheads. There are two center bulkheads, so a center seat may be used. Quote
Don Silsbe Posted August 23, 2020 Author Report Posted August 23, 2020 Back from camping. I got some sailing and rowing in with my Two Paw 8. My dog loved it. Today, I tack glued my bulkheads, and glassed my hatches. Quote
Don Silsbe Posted August 24, 2020 Author Report Posted August 24, 2020 @Hirilonde Here are some shots of my narrow reservoir. It was a nice, quiet morning on the water. The second one is of the dam that I really don’t want to go over. 1 Quote
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