Lapwing 16 Build

[Murray]

Haven't even looked at the project for the last 3 months Peter.  - well that's not quite true, I keep looking at the stem and I see it's not quite plumb. I should have glued up the lamination on a flat table rather than in situ. So I'm trying to decide how offended I am by the issue and if it's bad enough, what I'm going to do to correct it.  Probably time I reached a decision, and got on with it...

[Don Silsbe]

Been there, done that, Murray.  I know how discouraged you’re probably feeling right now, but listen— we are always the worst critics of our own work.  We get out those mental micrometers and spot all sorts of miniscule flaws in our work.  LET IT GO!  If I study your last photo very, very closely, I might detect a slight amount of what I’ll call “twist”.  But it is very slight.  Your boat is gorgeous.  She’s going to be a dream to sail.  I can’t wait to see her at the next Messabout.  
 

I’ll bet you that if I went out and checked my mast rake, that something will be off.  I have already looked at how parallel my masts were )or weren’t).  IT DOESN’T MATTER.  She sails like a dream.  
 

Don’t worry, be happy, mon.  You have a gorgeous boat.

[Kennneee]

Murray- Remember, perfect is the enemy of the good.  I have to repeat it often on my work and it get’s easier over time.  I doubt anybody will notice it.

[Designer]

I remember my first employer telling me "the art of a craftsman is being able to disguise or work around your screw-ups. 

 

I have been where you are more times than I want to remember.

 

I have not seen your problem but my instinct would be to trim some wood off one side and make it up on the other side with epoxy. A little adjustment with forward gunwales ends might be necessary. There may be some tweaking of paint edges.

 

While you may not be able to eliminate the visual effect completely, reducing it will make invisible to most folk.

[Chick Ludwig]

"the art of a craftsman is being able to disguise or work around your screw-ups."  I remember Graham telling me this YEARS ago as I was building the first Princess 20 Sharpie. Valuable advice. Now I've become a master---'cause I screw up frequently! Things like---"I cut it off three times, and it's STILL too short!"

[Hirilonde]

When I had my residential contracting business I always told my carpenters there is no such thing as pefection, but I want it to look like there is. I hope your situation is hideable.

[Don Silsbe]

Someone once told me that there was only one perfect carpenter, and look what they did to Him.

[Murray]

[Murray]

Well we have a centre case in now, very pleased that the pre-drilled hole for the centreboard is perfectly aligned on the two sides.

 

But even more pleased that after far too long looking at the stem, I went out and got a $100 laser level. It showed the issue - and thus the solution immediately. So I'll work on that and post the result shortly...

[Kennneee]

Murray- looking good! I bought a laser level a few years ago and can’t imagine building without one now.  Glad you found a solution to your building “challenge”.  Keep the pics coming.

Ken

[Murray]

Well the Stem is now looking good, so I ready do a little on the insides. I started with the stringers to support the seats attaching to the planking. I worried myself when trying to get the positioning right, but in the end found an easy solution; use the two fore and aft bulkheads and bridge across them with some battens which allow me to both put pressure against the stringer, and set the height. By screwing a small packer on the underside of each batten, and short of the batten length, I got a reasonable result. All the bulkheads have now been filleted and glass tape applied. Next the mizzen mast support, then I'll do three hot coats of resin before starting on the seats / thwarts. I've decided not to put the rather natty B&B designed hatches in - it will only ever be a day sailing boat, i think there will be plenty of storage for a day sail under the foredeck.

[Murray]

[Murray]

Quite a lot of pressure on the the mast blocks, probably unnecessary but I put tenon pins through from the bulkheads and cross bracing to prevent movement. A sheet of ply across the top is probably more than sufficient to tie it all together, but belt and braces...

 

[Kennneee]

Looks like there might be a Festool Domino at work. Wonderful tool!

[Don Silsbe]

I disagree, regarding not having the hatches in a daysailor.  I keep everything on the boat, so when I want to sail, I don’t have to load anything.  I just go.

In my daysailor’s hatches I keep dock lines, my sheets, a jacket, a hat, water, snacks, my PFD, rain parka, VHF, horn, registration, batteries, tiller extension (when stored), sunscreen, etc.  Where are you gonna put all that stuff?

[Hirilonde]

I have done much the same as Don.  Grab my cooler with ice and drinks, maybe some snacks, and off I go. Everything else was stored and ready to go. Even added a drawer under the center thwart/partner for the small stuff.

[Murray]

On 2/6/2023 at 7:24 PM, Kennneee said:

Looks like there might be a Festool Domino at work. Wonderful tool!

Sharp eyes! Yes they are a fabulous tool.

[Murray]

On 2/11/2023 at 9:51 AM, Don Silsbe said:

I disagree, regarding not having the hatches in a daysailor.  I keep everything on the boat, so when I want to sail, I don’t have to load anything.  I just go.

In my daysailor’s hatches I keep dock lines, my sheets, a jacket, a hat, water, snacks, my PFD, rain parka, VHF, horn, registration, batteries, tiller extension (when stored), sunscreen, etc.  Where are you gonna put all that stuff?

Sail a Laser for longer than you care remember, they ain't got a lot of storage - but you make do - even with three back to back races well offshore...!  But I guess one hatch under the rear to go with one up forward will be useful. Easier to do now than later too.

[Don Silsbe]

There is a world of difference in how and what you do on a Lapwing, compared to a Laser.  Your Lapwing will be used for pleasure sails, perhaps with friends and family.  Having access to all those wonderful floatation/storage areas will allow you to take and store PFD’s, snacks, water, sunscreen, rain gear, etc.  I have a Bay River Skiff with two hatches.  I wish I had installed two more.  Once they’re in, they are a non-issue.  You’ve done such a fine job on a time consuming build.  Don’t rush to the finish line.  Take the time to fit her out well.

[Murray]

On 3/26/2023 at 11:31 PM, Don Silsbe said:

There is a world of difference in how and what you do on a Lapwing, compared to a Laser.  Your Lapwing will be used for pleasure sails, perhaps with friends and family.  Having access to all those wonderful floatation/storage areas will allow you to take and store PFD’s, snacks, water, sunscreen, rain gear, etc.  I have a Bay River Skiff with two hatches.  I wish I had installed two more.  Once they’re in, they are a non-issue.  You’ve done such a fine job on a time consuming build.  Don’t rush to the finish line.  Take the time to fit her out well.

@Don Silsbe you knew it was laziness..! OK - I'll ponder it a little more. Certainly a lot easier to do it now than later.