The Looper!

[Steve W]

Jay, that looks fun-ish! I feel like I got at least one more boat build in me once I retire. I'm anxious to see the finished product! 

 

Take Care,

Steve

[PadrePoint]

OR… another way to do the great loop:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1078525023707686/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

He completed the Great Loop…

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1082652473409037/
 

in his Jon Boat. 
 

Jay, I think your approach will be MUCH more fun. 
 

[Jknight611]

• Well, the Looper project is progressing nicely  (I think)  engine is in and basically hooked up with all the attendant hoses and wires.  I haven’t put the cabin top on yet thinking it might be cooler with it off,  now that the temps have moderated a bit the lid is the last major piece to add.  Started on the wiring, and boy there are some large gauge wires!  The main DC wire from the batteries to the distribution point behind the helm is 4/0 wire.  Think tinned welding cable.  Started some priming in the V berth area and that help get the scale of the area it’s very roomy and should be very comfortable.  

[AmosSwogger]

Coming along nicely Jay.  Looking forward to seeing her in person someday.

[Jknight611]

Likely won’t make this year’s Messabout…..  lookout next year!

[Jknight611]

Some time building boats isn’t as glamorous as adding big pieces and thinking I’ll be done in 2 weeks.  Spent 3 days messing with PEX for the domestic water system.  if there is a market for 4-6 inch pieces of PEX we may have a cottage industry!
 

Cooled off a bit so we are planning on putting the lid on in a few days. 
I will update the google site tomorrow and show my either progress or lack there of!  

 

 

[Jknight611]

[Jknight611]

The “lid” is on!  We had about 8 guys, Carol and myself.  Took about 45 seconds to put it on top.  24 feet long and about 7 feet 6 inches wide.  We will start glassing it in when the weather gets a little warmer.  

[Drgyver]

Looks great! Is that Airex? foam? Not quite ready for the roof yet with my OB26 but mine calls for foam core and ply skins.

 

Dan

[Jknight611]

The Mathew Flinders cabin is foam with ply skin on both sides and it works great.  Surprising amount of insulation with that technique.  This is PVC foam that will glassed on both sides, currently only the inside is glassed.  The fore cabin is the same construction and I had concerns about it till I glassed the second side.  It as firm as the sidewalk.  This is an easier technique than the built up as I did on the Flinders.  

[Jknight611]

A day of rest, 78 f and 100% humidity. That’s water streaking the bottom paint running off the hull.  

[Jknight611]

Well, today marks 2 years on the Looper build.  The structure is complete, the interior is coming together and the exterior is multiple layers of Awlgrip 545 primer and lots of longboard sanding.  I was originally planning to be completed by now but….   I have decided to use the Orca system as my navigation system, largely because of it integration to NEMA 2000 is pure magic when played with in the shop!  Everything connects with these cool little connectors and the system seems to sort out what’s what.   I might be able to steer the boat via the autopilot from my iWatch from the foredeck all with the can-bus system.  Seems to work indoors but… Been incredibly hot here in my personal sauna with sanding dust so I have sewn up the interior cushions and tried to build little items in air conditioning.  With B&B’s able assistance in dimensions and weight  we have “ordered” the trailer.  Sure costs plenty to be a kid nowadays.  
‘Still shooting for the Messabout this year but not sure if the boat will be completely outfitted if we make it.  (See last sentence in last paragraph) 

 

A link to my current progress 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/8ady6twen48hxSv68

 

[Steve W]

Jay, the Looper is really quite a boat. I am very interested in seeing this when it's done. Maybe tird up at my dock for a close inspection! Do you have a target completion date? 

[AmosSwogger]

Nice work Jay.

[Jknight611]

Thanks much guys , and we PLAN to take you up on your offer Steve.  I put Coppercoat on the bottom but this spring Kalos (with Coppercoat) almost grew to the bottom so I put an ablative bottom paint on it and this boat will get it too.  Quite disappointed with the Coppercoat in semi salt water.  Our marina is on a river so more fresh most of the time probably had a lot to do with the growth on the bottom.