Garth Jones Posted August 26, 2013 Posted August 26, 2013 Hi Everybody, I've been working on a Shad for the last little while and thought I should start a thread about it. Also, because I have a question.... First things first. The frame is Baltic birch ply (the good Russian stuff) and all the rest is cypress. My wood shop has no lawn, so rather than the expected frame on the lawn photo, here it is leaning against a bick wall. Quote
Garth Jones Posted August 26, 2013 Author Posted August 26, 2013 I am using the recycled 8 oz polyester fabric. I sewed it on using the 'new' double rope stick which I liked very much. For rope I just used poly 3/16" clothes line - cheap, easy to find, and totally waterproof. Here is an action shot of me ironing the finished skin. So far, everything has gone really well.... Quote
bhart Posted August 26, 2013 Posted August 26, 2013 I like the brick wall as an alternative to grass. Looks good. I am also building a Shad, but took the summer off to do other projects. I am looking forward to starting back on my shad this winter. I can't wait to launch it in summer of 2014. Quote
Garth Jones Posted August 26, 2013 Author Posted August 26, 2013 This boat is for my wife, and she has asked for a white hull and yellow topsides. For paint I'm using Rustoleum oil based paint, which is readily available here from local big box stores. I applied the first coat with a foam roller. it took quite a long time and didn't seem to cover very well, in spite of the fact that I used an entire quart can. When it was dry, the surface was very rough, so I sanded off all the nubblies with 120 grit (applied lightly). I brushed on a second coat much more heavily, but still used less than a can. Someobody suggested lighting the boat from the inside to see how effective the paint coverage is. I carried the boat into the back of my shop and turned off all the lights. Pinholes and general poor coverage were very easy to see, which is saying something since I have white paint on white fabric. It's a great method. Quote
Garth Jones Posted August 26, 2013 Author Posted August 26, 2013 At this point, I experienced a minor disaster. When carrying the boat back to the deck where I'm working on it, I must have run the stern into something. I managed to tear a small hole in the fabric, right at the stern. It's about an inch long. Since this is a brand new boat, not yet even finished, I'd really like the repair to be invisible as possible. My first thought was to carefully remove a few of the staples from the stern (or undo a bit of the stitching, such that I could get to the inside of the rip. Then I could glue a small patch of fabric over the rip with epoxy. Sanded smooth from the outside and painted, it would probably disappear. However, I'm new to this sort of boatbuilding and will welcome any suggestions! I forgot to mention, the round hole by the shear is intentional - it's for the stern rope handle. Quote
AeroE Posted August 26, 2013 Posted August 26, 2013 Make a little "dollar" patch to cover the tear. Borrow your wife's pinking shears to cut out a circular patch to cover the hole. Bond it on with heat bond tape from the fabric store; the wife might have some of that, too. You'll need to remove the paint at the bond joint. Iron the edges down tight, then repaint. The repair will be hard to find from more than a few feet away. If anyone is bending over to inspect your boat, give 'em a boot in the butt. Quote
mitchmellow Posted August 26, 2013 Posted August 26, 2013 I can't speak to the repair since I only have the experience of one boat. I used the recycled polyester and found it really soaked up the paint. I used about 2 2/3 quarts of rustoleum for the 3 coats. After the second coat you could look at the fabric on the inside and see that it had not penetrated in all areas. It took a full 3 coats to cover the boat and even then there were a few pin holes that were revealed with a light. Quote
Garth Jones Posted October 1, 2013 Author Posted October 1, 2013 What a nice boat! We have had it in the water a couple of times and are very happy. Here are two photos: My wife, a very happy paddler... And our friend Chris, tearing up the water - I patched the hole and added a fourth coat of white to stop some weaping, and all is well! Cheers, Garth Quote
Kudzu Posted October 1, 2013 Posted October 1, 2013 I never get tired of looking at the lines of that boat. And I really like your wife's choice in colors! Looks really good. Quote
P Doug (WA) Posted October 1, 2013 Posted October 1, 2013 Well done, and your wife does look happy. That is important.... Quote
labrat Posted October 1, 2013 Posted October 1, 2013 That smile says it all! Job well done Garth - are you going to build one for yourself as well? Quote
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