A long time ago, a simpler time, a better time, I had visions of completing a modest boat to sail on the bay whilst the warm rays of summer still shone. Today, the harsh light of reality has illuminated my folly. Yet, the build progresses and I know, sometime soon, I will sail the bay for all to see. The shed beckons, yet living here there are plenty of distractions. On a clear afternoon we drive up the crater rim and fly gliders along the ridge.
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Surrounded by a crater rim. there are plenty of ridges to fly gliders in any wind direction |
The shed beckons. In between work, travel and other commitments, the boat progresses. After cutting the shape of my boat from plywood, I needed to process the pine lumber into thin strips, or chines, which will be glued to the plywood to add strength and rigidity.
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Pieces of pine lumber from Bunnings need processing... |
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I made things hard for myself, creating a custom jig for cutting... |
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The initial results are mediocre at best... |
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Why did I not just buy pre-cut lumber? |
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After modest success with making my own jig for cutting the pine boards I struck upon a revelation. My circular saw, bless the Japanese, came with a cutting attachment. There was no need for me to mark and cut preset sizes - I just had to attach this jig and could cut with consistency and accuracy every time!
Flush with success, I cut pieces for each end, then proceeded to attach the top and bottom chines.
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Attaching the top chine is relatively easy |
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Checking the screw size. Fun fact, the glue will actually hold the boat together. In a few months these screws will be columns of rust.... |
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Bending the bottom chine is the tricky part, it took all my considerable strength to get things in one place.
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This is a two person job.... |
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Eventually, the top and bottom chines are attached, excess glue weeping in all directions.
Now, it was time to add the front and back chines. Due to a deficiency in my brain, I decided that chiseling the curved bottom chine was the best way forward....
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Looks easy enough.. |
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Turns out, trying to chisel a piece of wood to your preconceived notions is pretty tricky....I ended up making compromises. Next time I will do cut the end pieces rather than the long chines.
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Getting my end pieces to fit the long chines was surprisingly involved.. |
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The stern piece was easier, but I will be doing the next three sides differently.. |
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Eventually, I got everything glued together. Gaps in my work seemed a little risky, being a boat and all. So I jammed sawdust and extra glue in areas that were lacking. Eventually, I got a full side of the boat complete.
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Hmmm, For some reason I felt it was easier to fit the end piece and cut the long chine. Spoiler alert, cut the end piece!!! |
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Excess glue is your friend, expect to lose at least 50% of the glue... |
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Screws are better than clamps, but in a year or two they will be rusting... |
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Two drills are better than one, whilst the glue is curing I can quickly pre-drill a pilot hole than insert the screw... |
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One side of the boat down, three more to go..... |
The journey continues, and a garden overflowing with courgettes beckons. Never fear, this boat will sail!!!!