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

Welcome, Endeavour and Golden Hind

Sept. 8, 2013
Well, here we go. I like to build boats. So far I've only built model ships. I will post one I've done in the past, the Endeavour (wasn't smart enough to take pictures of the other ones) and keep a running update on my current one, my version of the Golden Hind. I decided a couple of weeks ago that I wanted to build a real boat. I found a simple one that looked like fun. The Puddle Duck Racer, www.pdracer.com , is a simple sail boat. I will also keep a running update on the build and, hopefully, the first sail. I welcome your comments.
Have fun reading,
Bob

 Endeavor

Following are a few pictures of my current model, The Golden Hind (my version). Finished will be approx. 2.5 feet in length to the end of the bow sprit, and probably about 2 feet tall.

 I downloaded plans from the interned (all in Italian)

 I've cut everything from scratch. This is not a kit. All planking, oak and walnut was ripped on a band saw.

Decking was done using my version of caulking and tree nails. Black string soaked in a mixture of glue and water and set to dry. Then cut to needed lengths.

 Bottom of hull wont have anything glued to it so I decided to finish it while I could still turn it upside down.