Steve Tarry Posted August 20, 2003 Posted August 20, 2003 Okay, so I was halfway into glueing and screwing the bottom pieces to the panel joiners when it occurred to me (brilliant fellow that I am) that I had everything wrong side to. Luckily, the glue hadn't set up and the screws backed out and the problem was solved with a wet sponge and some drying time in the sun. The bottom is standing on edge in the garage bay now, next to the keel and cradle, waiting for the side boards to be trimmed off and the stringers to be attached. I am equally on edge, and angry at myself for a near-fatal error to nearly forty bucks worth of plywood. Guess that teaches me to be in thoughtful mode and not in panic mode, just because there's plastic resin getting more set by the minute. Is this the stupidest thing anyone has done in boat construction or do I lose the prize to someone else? Quote
Barry Pyeatt Posted August 20, 2003 Posted August 20, 2003 I took sod laying lessons first. It helped me a lot. Had to put green dots on the top side to make it work though. Think taper side down on the bottom. :roll: Quote
Fintan Murphy Posted August 20, 2003 Posted August 20, 2003 Steve, I think you'll find that everyone has done at least one (or two ) stuff-ups. They usually happen when things are going well, and you start to feel that the Murphy Factor doesn't apply to you. The good news is that you normally only make the same mistake once. The bad news is that there are sooooo many other mistakes to make :x me, I've mis-measured, mis-cut, mis-drilled, and my favourite was when I measured and marked the pencil line for the lazarette stringer on the bottom, then proceeded to glue the stringer (perfectly curved I might add) on the wrong side of the line. If course I only discovered this after the glue had set. Quote
Charlie Jones Posted August 20, 2003 Posted August 20, 2003 Years ago I was building a 35 foot trimaran. The main bulkhead in the main hull was 4 sheets of 3/4 MARINE ply laminated together. Scarfed down the 8 foot dimension and laminated so it was 8 x 8 and 1 1/2 inch thick. A total of about 200 bucks of ply, 1970s prices I laminated the whole thing together, laid out the bulkhead and cut it out- 10 inches too short!! There was a measurement on another page of the plans and a note referring to it that I missed. I did evenutally use up most of the thick stuff as bulkheads (and a table top) and backing in other parts of the boat but that sure hurt at the time. At least you saved the wood and were able to correct the problem Quote
P Doug (WA) Posted August 20, 2003 Posted August 20, 2003 Steve, wait till I really get going on mine. You won't be able to hold a candle to the "stupids" I know I will do. Use to be, when lumber was cheap, I always bought twice what was called for so I could get all the stupids out of the way and then build one, doing it right! That was when lumber was cheap, now gold is cheap compared to lumber. Quote
Robert Cox Posted August 20, 2003 Posted August 20, 2003 One thing I learned long ago. If it's not going to be finished bright, mark it. Something as simple as "This side up or This side out" works real well. I've still got pencil and magic marker tracks in the cabin that have yet to get painted over. I usually go so far as to mark it as going on the port or starboard side. I use a lot of PA, PB, SA and SB to mark my pieces. Bob Quote
Barry Pyeatt Posted August 20, 2003 Posted August 20, 2003 Geez, it took me long enough to realize that sod was laid "green side up". I finally got that right and now you want me to mark things for port or starboard too. Just figured out the difference between Port and Merlot. Only took several evenings and a lot of empty bottles to get it right. Now where's my hammock? Quote
Steve Tarry Posted August 20, 2003 Author Posted August 20, 2003 Everything came out right and I just trimmed the side joiner panels and dry-fitted the bottom in place on the keel. Barry was right when he said to trust that it would bend into place. There's not a gap underneath it that won't be cured by the screws pulling it down snug. I suppose you want pictures of this to prove it too, huh? Quote
Steve Tarry Posted August 20, 2003 Author Posted August 20, 2003 Knowing how everyone likes pictures, here I am sitting on the actual bottom of Svenska Flicka mounted on the actual keel, doing my impression of Leonardo DiCaprio, give or take 30 years. [attachment over 4 years old deleted by admin] Quote
Barry Pyeatt Posted August 20, 2003 Posted August 20, 2003 Doing that "Nessie" thing with the keel, right out of a Loch. Oh that isn't Sweden! :oops: My goodness Steve, Give you a paddle and away you go. :roll: Quote
P Doug (WA) Posted August 20, 2003 Posted August 20, 2003 Look'n absolutely great Steve. Looks like you ought to be done for the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival! I didn't say what year! All kidding aside, looking great... Quote
Frank Hagan Posted August 21, 2003 Posted August 21, 2003 With a big enough outboard, you probably could make a go of it! Don't beat yourself up too much. There's always the launch ramp to humble you after you think you've made every mistake imaginable ... Quote
Steve Tarry Posted August 21, 2003 Author Posted August 21, 2003 Oh, Frank, don't frighten me more with notions of launch ramps -- I've never trailered anything in my life and I'm terrified of the launching experience. I think I'll rig the Subaru for towing, instead of my truck. At least that way, I'll have all-wheel drive to get me out of the water. On the other hand, most of the local put-ins are slings rather than ramps. That may be my salvation. But is it possible to hoist the mast and connect the rigging after the boat is in the water? Quote
MikeStevenson Posted August 21, 2003 Posted August 21, 2003 I think we may have done the same thing while taping the video for the Weeknder. I know we've done it more than once. I'm afraid you don't win anything for that one, which is actually a good thing. :wink: Mike Quote
Barry Pyeatt Posted August 21, 2003 Posted August 21, 2003 When you get your trailer, practice driving around with it and backing it into empty parking places at the local market when the parking lot is empty (the first few times). Then practice backing it in a straight line for about 200 feet. When you get comfortable with handling it without the boat on it. You will be a lot better. It isn't that difficult once you learn that oversteering is a major problem when backing a trailer. These little trailers are quick to go one way or the other with little movement of the steering wheel so get used to dragging it around empty with both your car and your truck. The more backing and moving around things in reverse you do, the less problems you will have with the boat on it. Launch ramps can be intimidating, but once you can line up and back where you need to be, they don't have to be difficult. Quote
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