Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Stand Up Paddle Boats

Stand Up Paddle Pontoons finished June 2014
 Front curve marked

Cutting all four sides at once

Skill saw set shallow has not problem making the curve. Much neater than a saber saw.

Very happy with the smooth cut on the 3/8 ply.

I decided to nail gun everything instead of using screws.

Internal supports

Side panels glued and nailed.

You can never have enough clamps.

Starting to take shape.


 U-bolts mounted from the inside before bottom is put on. These will support the portable deck.

Fiberglass to give extra support to bolt mounts.


All patched and ready to fiberglass all seams.


Molly's finished boat.

Top half of writing is Molly's name sign written in si5s, written American Sign Language developed by our friend, Robert Augustus.

Modification to The Black Pearl to haul the pontoons on top.

Launch day.


Molly figured it out real fast.

I found it much easier to sit.


Mom's maiden voyage.

More about the sailboat later.

Mom and daughter quickly found out the perfect way to lay down and just get some sun.



Molly wondering why dad is rowing the sailboat back in. 
Or she she's taking the SUP too literally: Stand Up Pirate

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Canoe Start Date 11/12/2013

My first canoe. Length 12ft. Beam 42in.



Bottom installed


Gunnels, seats, and end caps installed and sanded
Keels installed. (Thanks for the help, Molly)
I just have to use some Watco Dark Walnut stain.
4 coats of spar varnish complete. Probably will do 2 more.
Bottom and sides primed. Now to wait a week for black top coat.
Finished except for lettering
Pearl keeping an eye on things
Pearl always watching what I'm doing. What a great companion.

My sailboat. "Black Pearl"

Finished!!!  1/19/2014

Sunday, September 8, 2013

The Black Pearl Puddle Duck

So, The Puddle Duck Racer, www.pdracer.com , is the boat I decided to make for my first real boat. It looked like a lot of fun. I will be documenting the build in detail. Enjoy
 I cut two sheets of 15/32 5ply (too hard to find decent 1/4 inch, and I thought I'd go for stronger) at a time. I opted for 18" sides. Center scrap will be for tops of side air tanks and decking.

 Setting a skill saw at a shallow depth has no problem cutting the curve with two sheets together. Makes a much neater cut then a saber saw.
 Curve guide was done with shallow sunk nails at the crucial points and then using a thin dowel to follow the curve.
 This probably wont be to racing code. I trimmed off 7/8 inch on both ends after I'd cut the curve. After adding the bulkheads, I wanted to be positive I'd still be under 8' so I don't have to register it with DMV.
Started gluing the chines in place. Yes I was excited and lost track of time. This is a night shot.
One can never seem to acquire enough clamps.
 Air boxes finished. Neaults might notice the stool. It's an official Marv Neault orgininal. Came in very handy.


 Pre bent the bottom with buckets of rocks and wet it a bit
 What a pain in the #$%. Bottom finally on.
 All edges fiberglassed. I hope it doesn't leak much.
 Bottom primed and ready to flip over..
 Laminated two pairs of 1x2 doug fir. Then laminated the pairs together.
 Cross-grain laminated a doug fir 1x3 on both sides. 12 foot tall.
 Bottom end kept square. 3x3
 Shaped top to 2.25 in. semi round. Thank god for my power planner.
 I decided to stain it and leave it. I can't seem to make anything without a little Dark Walnut Watco.
Primed and ready for decking.
Pretty sure this step and partner will secure the 12ft. mast.
Finally finished!!!
The Black Pearl. Yep, name of the dog and boat. Note her picture on the sail.


Oh yea! She's got a snog!

Drop-in rudder. Tiller is mounted to rudder frame.
Detachable rudder frame is mounted with door hinges.



Had to make a separate flag of Pearl since all the paint flaked off the sail