vaddoc

You could come over to the dark side and scratch build a simple boat. 

You could come over to the dark side and scratch build a simple boat. 

Chisels, including a 3 mm and a V shape, diamond stones, strop.
You can probably do without but working with wood is an excellent excuse to get them. 
 
 

Chisels, including a 3 mm and a V shape, diamond stones, strop.
You can probably do without but working with wood is an excellent excuse to get them. 
 
 

Chisels, including a 3 mm and a V shape, diamond stones, strop.
You can probably do without but working with wood is an excellent excuse to get them. 
 
 

Dear friends
 
One knows it's been a very long time since his last post, when he needs to search for his log! But here I am, so time for an update and a few photos as there is definitely progress made.
 
Allow me to shout a word of caution: DO NOT USE BEECH FOR PLANKING! I did read on wood database that it has a lot of movement in service, but the reality is just ridiculous. Any more movement and the wood would grow feet and run out of the shipyard.
 
First of all the planks shrunk. Initially there was no gap at all as I took pains to make them perfect. Then huge gaps appeared. I filled these in and then the planks shrunk more, with gaps opening once again. Then the boat kept changing shape, sometimes the two sides wanted to come together but others wanted to get away from each other.
 
The biggest problem was that some planks pulled out of the ribs, as shown in the photo bellow.

I had no idea how to fix it but in the end, the boat just changed shape again and the gaps closed. Magic!
 
So, next I finished the floor boards and also the small deck aft. 


I replaced all the screws with treenails and then, it was time for the thwarts. I used the original drawings which kind of hint where the thwarts should go. The benches aft however took an awful lot of head scratching to understand how they could be arranged, without massive wood work. I used the internet and some common sense and I think I came up with a reasonable solution.


 
I then made the legs, they came out alright I think.

Then, I made the knees to hold the thwarts. This took a long time as each knee has each individual shape and then had to be drilled, sanded and get a coat of Tung oil.

Then all were assembled, using 30 min Zpoxy which I am certain was the way it was done back in 1750.



Now the boat is structurally solid and complete. Now however it is time to think about painting the hull.
 
It really needs to be painted but with this cracks between the planks, it is not going to work. So they had to be filled.
 
I used again Osmo filler which I really like. This is how the hull looked afterwards.
 
The sanding that followed will be sang by bards for centuries. I went down to 320 grid, I really wanted 400 but I run out of sand paper.


Now, I am sure the cracks will reopen but this is the best I can do! Now, this is a hull that absolutely must be sealed. I never liked shellac and I ve been using for years a water based sealer (Decoart Americana). A coat went on, then sanded to 320 grid. Again, I really wanted 400 but I could not find even a small piece in the shipyard. Then another coat went on, sanded to 600 grid (I found a sheet somewhere)





The hull is as good as it will ever be. When I find time I ll put a coat of primer and paint the hull - Ivory and Prussian blue I think.
 
A last photo, till next time
 
Vaddoc

Dear friends
 
One knows it's been a very long time since his last post, when he needs to search for his log! But here I am, so time for an update and a few photos as there is definitely progress made.
 
Allow me to shout a word of caution: DO NOT USE BEECH FOR PLANKING! I did read on wood database that it has a lot of movement in service, but the reality is just ridiculous. Any more movement and the wood would grow feet and run out of the shipyard.
 
First of all the planks shrunk. Initially there was no gap at all as I took pains to make them perfect. Then huge gaps appeared. I filled these in and then the planks shrunk more, with gaps opening once again. Then the boat kept changing shape, sometimes the two sides wanted to come together but others wanted to get away from each other.
 
The biggest problem was that some planks pulled out of the ribs, as shown in the photo bellow.

I had no idea how to fix it but in the end, the boat just changed shape again and the gaps closed. Magic!
 
So, next I finished the floor boards and also the small deck aft. 


I replaced all the screws with treenails and then, it was time for the thwarts. I used the original drawings which kind of hint where the thwarts should go. The benches aft however took an awful lot of head scratching to understand how they could be arranged, without massive wood work. I used the internet and some common sense and I think I came up with a reasonable solution.


 
I then made the legs, they came out alright I think.

Then, I made the knees to hold the thwarts. This took a long time as each knee has each individual shape and then had to be drilled, sanded and get a coat of Tung oil.

Then all were assembled, using 30 min Zpoxy which I am certain was the way it was done back in 1750.



Now the boat is structurally solid and complete. Now however it is time to think about painting the hull.
 
It really needs to be painted but with this cracks between the planks, it is not going to work. So they had to be filled.
 
I used again Osmo filler which I really like. This is how the hull looked afterwards.
 
The sanding that followed will be sang by bards for centuries. I went down to 320 grid, I really wanted 400 but I run out of sand paper.


Now, I am sure the cracks will reopen but this is the best I can do! Now, this is a hull that absolutely must be sealed. I never liked shellac and I ve been using for years a water based sealer (Decoart Americana). A coat went on, then sanded to 320 grid. Again, I really wanted 400 but I could not find even a small piece in the shipyard. Then another coat went on, sanded to 600 grid (I found a sheet somewhere)





The hull is as good as it will ever be. When I find time I ll put a coat of primer and paint the hull - Ivory and Prussian blue I think.
 
A last photo, till next time
 
Vaddoc

Dear friends
 
One knows it's been a very long time since his last post, when he needs to search for his log! But here I am, so time for an update and a few photos as there is definitely progress made.
 
Allow me to shout a word of caution: DO NOT USE BEECH FOR PLANKING! I did read on wood database that it has a lot of movement in service, but the reality is just ridiculous. Any more movement and the wood would grow feet and run out of the shipyard.
 
First of all the planks shrunk. Initially there was no gap at all as I took pains to make them perfect. Then huge gaps appeared. I filled these in and then the planks shrunk more, with gaps opening once again. Then the boat kept changing shape, sometimes the two sides wanted to come together but others wanted to get away from each other.
 
The biggest problem was that some planks pulled out of the ribs, as shown in the photo bellow.

I had no idea how to fix it but in the end, the boat just changed shape again and the gaps closed. Magic!
 
So, next I finished the floor boards and also the small deck aft. 


I replaced all the screws with treenails and then, it was time for the thwarts. I used the original drawings which kind of hint where the thwarts should go. The benches aft however took an awful lot of head scratching to understand how they could be arranged, without massive wood work. I used the internet and some common sense and I think I came up with a reasonable solution.


 
I then made the legs, they came out alright I think.

Then, I made the knees to hold the thwarts. This took a long time as each knee has each individual shape and then had to be drilled, sanded and get a coat of Tung oil.

Then all were assembled, using 30 min Zpoxy which I am certain was the way it was done back in 1750.



Now the boat is structurally solid and complete. Now however it is time to think about painting the hull.
 
It really needs to be painted but with this cracks between the planks, it is not going to work. So they had to be filled.
 
I used again Osmo filler which I really like. This is how the hull looked afterwards.
 
The sanding that followed will be sang by bards for centuries. I went down to 320 grid, I really wanted 400 but I run out of sand paper.


Now, I am sure the cracks will reopen but this is the best I can do! Now, this is a hull that absolutely must be sealed. I never liked shellac and I ve been using for years a water based sealer (Decoart Americana). A coat went on, then sanded to 320 grid. Again, I really wanted 400 but I could not find even a small piece in the shipyard. Then another coat went on, sanded to 600 grid (I found a sheet somewhere)





The hull is as good as it will ever be. When I find time I ll put a coat of primer and paint the hull - Ivory and Prussian blue I think.
 
A last photo, till next time
 
Vaddoc

Dear friends
 
One knows it's been a very long time since his last post, when he needs to search for his log! But here I am, so time for an update and a few photos as there is definitely progress made.
 
Allow me to shout a word of caution: DO NOT USE BEECH FOR PLANKING! I did read on wood database that it has a lot of movement in service, but the reality is just ridiculous. Any more movement and the wood would grow feet and run out of the shipyard.
 
First of all the planks shrunk. Initially there was no gap at all as I took pains to make them perfect. Then huge gaps appeared. I filled these in and then the planks shrunk more, with gaps opening once again. Then the boat kept changing shape, sometimes the two sides wanted to come together but others wanted to get away from each other.
 
The biggest problem was that some planks pulled out of the ribs, as shown in the photo bellow.

I had no idea how to fix it but in the end, the boat just changed shape again and the gaps closed. Magic!
 
So, next I finished the floor boards and also the small deck aft. 


I replaced all the screws with treenails and then, it was time for the thwarts. I used the original drawings which kind of hint where the thwarts should go. The benches aft however took an awful lot of head scratching to understand how they could be arranged, without massive wood work. I used the internet and some common sense and I think I came up with a reasonable solution.


 
I then made the legs, they came out alright I think.

Then, I made the knees to hold the thwarts. This took a long time as each knee has each individual shape and then had to be drilled, sanded and get a coat of Tung oil.

Then all were assembled, using 30 min Zpoxy which I am certain was the way it was done back in 1750.



Now the boat is structurally solid and complete. Now however it is time to think about painting the hull.
 
It really needs to be painted but with this cracks between the planks, it is not going to work. So they had to be filled.
 
I used again Osmo filler which I really like. This is how the hull looked afterwards.
 
The sanding that followed will be sang by bards for centuries. I went down to 320 grid, I really wanted 400 but I run out of sand paper.


Now, I am sure the cracks will reopen but this is the best I can do! Now, this is a hull that absolutely must be sealed. I never liked shellac and I ve been using for years a water based sealer (Decoart Americana). A coat went on, then sanded to 320 grid. Again, I really wanted 400 but I could not find even a small piece in the shipyard. Then another coat went on, sanded to 600 grid (I found a sheet somewhere)





The hull is as good as it will ever be. When I find time I ll put a coat of primer and paint the hull - Ivory and Prussian blue I think.
 
A last photo, till next time
 
Vaddoc

Dear friends
 
One knows it's been a very long time since his last post, when he needs to search for his log! But here I am, so time for an update and a few photos as there is definitely progress made.
 
Allow me to shout a word of caution: DO NOT USE BEECH FOR PLANKING! I did read on wood database that it has a lot of movement in service, but the reality is just ridiculous. Any more movement and the wood would grow feet and run out of the shipyard.
 
First of all the planks shrunk. Initially there was no gap at all as I took pains to make them perfect. Then huge gaps appeared. I filled these in and then the planks shrunk more, with gaps opening once again. Then the boat kept changing shape, sometimes the two sides wanted to come together but others wanted to get away from each other.
 
The biggest problem was that some planks pulled out of the ribs, as shown in the photo bellow.

I had no idea how to fix it but in the end, the boat just changed shape again and the gaps closed. Magic!
 
So, next I finished the floor boards and also the small deck aft. 


I replaced all the screws with treenails and then, it was time for the thwarts. I used the original drawings which kind of hint where the thwarts should go. The benches aft however took an awful lot of head scratching to understand how they could be arranged, without massive wood work. I used the internet and some common sense and I think I came up with a reasonable solution.


 
I then made the legs, they came out alright I think.

Then, I made the knees to hold the thwarts. This took a long time as each knee has each individual shape and then had to be drilled, sanded and get a coat of Tung oil.

Then all were assembled, using 30 min Zpoxy which I am certain was the way it was done back in 1750.



Now the boat is structurally solid and complete. Now however it is time to think about painting the hull.
 
It really needs to be painted but with this cracks between the planks, it is not going to work. So they had to be filled.
 
I used again Osmo filler which I really like. This is how the hull looked afterwards.
 
The sanding that followed will be sang by bards for centuries. I went down to 320 grid, I really wanted 400 but I run out of sand paper.


Now, I am sure the cracks will reopen but this is the best I can do! Now, this is a hull that absolutely must be sealed. I never liked shellac and I ve been using for years a water based sealer (Decoart Americana). A coat went on, then sanded to 320 grid. Again, I really wanted 400 but I could not find even a small piece in the shipyard. Then another coat went on, sanded to 600 grid (I found a sheet somewhere)





The hull is as good as it will ever be. When I find time I ll put a coat of primer and paint the hull - Ivory and Prussian blue I think.
 
A last photo, till next time
 
Vaddoc

Dear friends
 
One knows it's been a very long time since his last post, when he needs to search for his log! But here I am, so time for an update and a few photos as there is definitely progress made.
 
Allow me to shout a word of caution: DO NOT USE BEECH FOR PLANKING! I did read on wood database that it has a lot of movement in service, but the reality is just ridiculous. Any more movement and the wood would grow feet and run out of the shipyard.
 
First of all the planks shrunk. Initially there was no gap at all as I took pains to make them perfect. Then huge gaps appeared. I filled these in and then the planks shrunk more, with gaps opening once again. Then the boat kept changing shape, sometimes the two sides wanted to come together but others wanted to get away from each other.
 
The biggest problem was that some planks pulled out of the ribs, as shown in the photo bellow.

I had no idea how to fix it but in the end, the boat just changed shape again and the gaps closed. Magic!
 
So, next I finished the floor boards and also the small deck aft. 


I replaced all the screws with treenails and then, it was time for the thwarts. I used the original drawings which kind of hint where the thwarts should go. The benches aft however took an awful lot of head scratching to understand how they could be arranged, without massive wood work. I used the internet and some common sense and I think I came up with a reasonable solution.


 
I then made the legs, they came out alright I think.

Then, I made the knees to hold the thwarts. This took a long time as each knee has each individual shape and then had to be drilled, sanded and get a coat of Tung oil.

Then all were assembled, using 30 min Zpoxy which I am certain was the way it was done back in 1750.



Now the boat is structurally solid and complete. Now however it is time to think about painting the hull.
 
It really needs to be painted but with this cracks between the planks, it is not going to work. So they had to be filled.
 
I used again Osmo filler which I really like. This is how the hull looked afterwards.
 
The sanding that followed will be sang by bards for centuries. I went down to 320 grid, I really wanted 400 but I run out of sand paper.


Now, I am sure the cracks will reopen but this is the best I can do! Now, this is a hull that absolutely must be sealed. I never liked shellac and I ve been using for years a water based sealer (Decoart Americana). A coat went on, then sanded to 320 grid. Again, I really wanted 400 but I could not find even a small piece in the shipyard. Then another coat went on, sanded to 600 grid (I found a sheet somewhere)





The hull is as good as it will ever be. When I find time I ll put a coat of primer and paint the hull - Ivory and Prussian blue I think.
 
A last photo, till next time
 
Vaddoc

Dear friends
 
One knows it's been a very long time since his last post, when he needs to search for his log! But here I am, so time for an update and a few photos as there is definitely progress made.
 
Allow me to shout a word of caution: DO NOT USE BEECH FOR PLANKING! I did read on wood database that it has a lot of movement in service, but the reality is just ridiculous. Any more movement and the wood would grow feet and run out of the shipyard.
 
First of all the planks shrunk. Initially there was no gap at all as I took pains to make them perfect. Then huge gaps appeared. I filled these in and then the planks shrunk more, with gaps opening once again. Then the boat kept changing shape, sometimes the two sides wanted to come together but others wanted to get away from each other.
 
The biggest problem was that some planks pulled out of the ribs, as shown in the photo bellow.

I had no idea how to fix it but in the end, the boat just changed shape again and the gaps closed. Magic!
 
So, next I finished the floor boards and also the small deck aft. 


I replaced all the screws with treenails and then, it was time for the thwarts. I used the original drawings which kind of hint where the thwarts should go. The benches aft however took an awful lot of head scratching to understand how they could be arranged, without massive wood work. I used the internet and some common sense and I think I came up with a reasonable solution.


 
I then made the legs, they came out alright I think.

Then, I made the knees to hold the thwarts. This took a long time as each knee has each individual shape and then had to be drilled, sanded and get a coat of Tung oil.

Then all were assembled, using 30 min Zpoxy which I am certain was the way it was done back in 1750.



Now the boat is structurally solid and complete. Now however it is time to think about painting the hull.
 
It really needs to be painted but with this cracks between the planks, it is not going to work. So they had to be filled.
 
I used again Osmo filler which I really like. This is how the hull looked afterwards.
 
The sanding that followed will be sang by bards for centuries. I went down to 320 grid, I really wanted 400 but I run out of sand paper.


Now, I am sure the cracks will reopen but this is the best I can do! Now, this is a hull that absolutely must be sealed. I never liked shellac and I ve been using for years a water based sealer (Decoart Americana). A coat went on, then sanded to 320 grid. Again, I really wanted 400 but I could not find even a small piece in the shipyard. Then another coat went on, sanded to 600 grid (I found a sheet somewhere)





The hull is as good as it will ever be. When I find time I ll put a coat of primer and paint the hull - Ivory and Prussian blue I think.
 
A last photo, till next time
 
Vaddoc

Thanks Craig
You are right but I should have done this earlier, when the interior was empty. I think now is a bit too late!

Dear friends
 
One knows it's been a very long time since his last post, when he needs to search for his log! But here I am, so time for an update and a few photos as there is definitely progress made.
 
Allow me to shout a word of caution: DO NOT USE BEECH FOR PLANKING! I did read on wood database that it has a lot of movement in service, but the reality is just ridiculous. Any more movement and the wood would grow feet and run out of the shipyard.
 
First of all the planks shrunk. Initially there was no gap at all as I took pains to make them perfect. Then huge gaps appeared. I filled these in and then the planks shrunk more, with gaps opening once again. Then the boat kept changing shape, sometimes the two sides wanted to come together but others wanted to get away from each other.
 
The biggest problem was that some planks pulled out of the ribs, as shown in the photo bellow.

I had no idea how to fix it but in the end, the boat just changed shape again and the gaps closed. Magic!
 
So, next I finished the floor boards and also the small deck aft. 


I replaced all the screws with treenails and then, it was time for the thwarts. I used the original drawings which kind of hint where the thwarts should go. The benches aft however took an awful lot of head scratching to understand how they could be arranged, without massive wood work. I used the internet and some common sense and I think I came up with a reasonable solution.


 
I then made the legs, they came out alright I think.

Then, I made the knees to hold the thwarts. This took a long time as each knee has each individual shape and then had to be drilled, sanded and get a coat of Tung oil.

Then all were assembled, using 30 min Zpoxy which I am certain was the way it was done back in 1750.



Now the boat is structurally solid and complete. Now however it is time to think about painting the hull.
 
It really needs to be painted but with this cracks between the planks, it is not going to work. So they had to be filled.
 
I used again Osmo filler which I really like. This is how the hull looked afterwards.
 
The sanding that followed will be sang by bards for centuries. I went down to 320 grid, I really wanted 400 but I run out of sand paper.


Now, I am sure the cracks will reopen but this is the best I can do! Now, this is a hull that absolutely must be sealed. I never liked shellac and I ve been using for years a water based sealer (Decoart Americana). A coat went on, then sanded to 320 grid. Again, I really wanted 400 but I could not find even a small piece in the shipyard. Then another coat went on, sanded to 600 grid (I found a sheet somewhere)





The hull is as good as it will ever be. When I find time I ll put a coat of primer and paint the hull - Ivory and Prussian blue I think.
 
A last photo, till next time
 
Vaddoc

Dear friends
 
One knows it's been a very long time since his last post, when he needs to search for his log! But here I am, so time for an update and a few photos as there is definitely progress made.
 
Allow me to shout a word of caution: DO NOT USE BEECH FOR PLANKING! I did read on wood database that it has a lot of movement in service, but the reality is just ridiculous. Any more movement and the wood would grow feet and run out of the shipyard.
 
First of all the planks shrunk. Initially there was no gap at all as I took pains to make them perfect. Then huge gaps appeared. I filled these in and then the planks shrunk more, with gaps opening once again. Then the boat kept changing shape, sometimes the two sides wanted to come together but others wanted to get away from each other.
 
The biggest problem was that some planks pulled out of the ribs, as shown in the photo bellow.

I had no idea how to fix it but in the end, the boat just changed shape again and the gaps closed. Magic!
 
So, next I finished the floor boards and also the small deck aft. 


I replaced all the screws with treenails and then, it was time for the thwarts. I used the original drawings which kind of hint where the thwarts should go. The benches aft however took an awful lot of head scratching to understand how they could be arranged, without massive wood work. I used the internet and some common sense and I think I came up with a reasonable solution.


 
I then made the legs, they came out alright I think.

Then, I made the knees to hold the thwarts. This took a long time as each knee has each individual shape and then had to be drilled, sanded and get a coat of Tung oil.

Then all were assembled, using 30 min Zpoxy which I am certain was the way it was done back in 1750.



Now the boat is structurally solid and complete. Now however it is time to think about painting the hull.
 
It really needs to be painted but with this cracks between the planks, it is not going to work. So they had to be filled.
 
I used again Osmo filler which I really like. This is how the hull looked afterwards.
 
The sanding that followed will be sang by bards for centuries. I went down to 320 grid, I really wanted 400 but I run out of sand paper.


Now, I am sure the cracks will reopen but this is the best I can do! Now, this is a hull that absolutely must be sealed. I never liked shellac and I ve been using for years a water based sealer (Decoart Americana). A coat went on, then sanded to 320 grid. Again, I really wanted 400 but I could not find even a small piece in the shipyard. Then another coat went on, sanded to 600 grid (I found a sheet somewhere)





The hull is as good as it will ever be. When I find time I ll put a coat of primer and paint the hull - Ivory and Prussian blue I think.
 
A last photo, till next time
 
Vaddoc

Dear friends
 
One knows it's been a very long time since his last post, when he needs to search for his log! But here I am, so time for an update and a few photos as there is definitely progress made.
 
Allow me to shout a word of caution: DO NOT USE BEECH FOR PLANKING! I did read on wood database that it has a lot of movement in service, but the reality is just ridiculous. Any more movement and the wood would grow feet and run out of the shipyard.
 
First of all the planks shrunk. Initially there was no gap at all as I took pains to make them perfect. Then huge gaps appeared. I filled these in and then the planks shrunk more, with gaps opening once again. Then the boat kept changing shape, sometimes the two sides wanted to come together but others wanted to get away from each other.
 
The biggest problem was that some planks pulled out of the ribs, as shown in the photo bellow.

I had no idea how to fix it but in the end, the boat just changed shape again and the gaps closed. Magic!
 
So, next I finished the floor boards and also the small deck aft. 


I replaced all the screws with treenails and then, it was time for the thwarts. I used the original drawings which kind of hint where the thwarts should go. The benches aft however took an awful lot of head scratching to understand how they could be arranged, without massive wood work. I used the internet and some common sense and I think I came up with a reasonable solution.


 
I then made the legs, they came out alright I think.

Then, I made the knees to hold the thwarts. This took a long time as each knee has each individual shape and then had to be drilled, sanded and get a coat of Tung oil.

Then all were assembled, using 30 min Zpoxy which I am certain was the way it was done back in 1750.



Now the boat is structurally solid and complete. Now however it is time to think about painting the hull.
 
It really needs to be painted but with this cracks between the planks, it is not going to work. So they had to be filled.
 
I used again Osmo filler which I really like. This is how the hull looked afterwards.
 
The sanding that followed will be sang by bards for centuries. I went down to 320 grid, I really wanted 400 but I run out of sand paper.


Now, I am sure the cracks will reopen but this is the best I can do! Now, this is a hull that absolutely must be sealed. I never liked shellac and I ve been using for years a water based sealer (Decoart Americana). A coat went on, then sanded to 320 grid. Again, I really wanted 400 but I could not find even a small piece in the shipyard. Then another coat went on, sanded to 600 grid (I found a sheet somewhere)





The hull is as good as it will ever be. When I find time I ll put a coat of primer and paint the hull - Ivory and Prussian blue I think.
 
A last photo, till next time
 
Vaddoc

Dear friends
 
One knows it's been a very long time since his last post, when he needs to search for his log! But here I am, so time for an update and a few photos as there is definitely progress made.
 
Allow me to shout a word of caution: DO NOT USE BEECH FOR PLANKING! I did read on wood database that it has a lot of movement in service, but the reality is just ridiculous. Any more movement and the wood would grow feet and run out of the shipyard.
 
First of all the planks shrunk. Initially there was no gap at all as I took pains to make them perfect. Then huge gaps appeared. I filled these in and then the planks shrunk more, with gaps opening once again. Then the boat kept changing shape, sometimes the two sides wanted to come together but others wanted to get away from each other.
 
The biggest problem was that some planks pulled out of the ribs, as shown in the photo bellow.

I had no idea how to fix it but in the end, the boat just changed shape again and the gaps closed. Magic!
 
So, next I finished the floor boards and also the small deck aft. 


I replaced all the screws with treenails and then, it was time for the thwarts. I used the original drawings which kind of hint where the thwarts should go. The benches aft however took an awful lot of head scratching to understand how they could be arranged, without massive wood work. I used the internet and some common sense and I think I came up with a reasonable solution.


 
I then made the legs, they came out alright I think.

Then, I made the knees to hold the thwarts. This took a long time as each knee has each individual shape and then had to be drilled, sanded and get a coat of Tung oil.

Then all were assembled, using 30 min Zpoxy which I am certain was the way it was done back in 1750.



Now the boat is structurally solid and complete. Now however it is time to think about painting the hull.
 
It really needs to be painted but with this cracks between the planks, it is not going to work. So they had to be filled.
 
I used again Osmo filler which I really like. This is how the hull looked afterwards.
 
The sanding that followed will be sang by bards for centuries. I went down to 320 grid, I really wanted 400 but I run out of sand paper.


Now, I am sure the cracks will reopen but this is the best I can do! Now, this is a hull that absolutely must be sealed. I never liked shellac and I ve been using for years a water based sealer (Decoart Americana). A coat went on, then sanded to 320 grid. Again, I really wanted 400 but I could not find even a small piece in the shipyard. Then another coat went on, sanded to 600 grid (I found a sheet somewhere)





The hull is as good as it will ever be. When I find time I ll put a coat of primer and paint the hull - Ivory and Prussian blue I think.
 
A last photo, till next time
 
Vaddoc

Dear friends
 
Time for another post, some progress but also some unfortunate findings. Lets start.
 
So, there is an urgent need for the boat to have some structural support but it needs to be built from the bottom up. So, the floor needs to be installed.
 
I had previously cut the floor supports but I found some were off and needed adjustments or replacement. Finally they were epoxied in place and coated with Tung oil - for no reason at all really!
 


However, It was then that I noticed a rather big issue. The planks have pulled away from the ribs, the glue in the tree nails failed - but also the pressure from the planks must have been pretty substantial.
 

I do not think this can be fixed without disassembling the boat and in the end of the day, it does not bother me much. So on we go.
 
Next, I did some work at the gunwales and attached the stringer and the breast hook.




So far everything is screwed, later on will be replaced with tree nails.
 
Next, it was time for the false stem to be installed. Again I had to make adjustments but I got a good fit. I used thickened epoxy and it came out pretty good. Especially the joint with the planking, which in the past had caused me headache, came out also fine.



Ok, so far so good. Next it was the floor boards. This took a bit of work and some head scratching but actually came out better than I hoped. I am not sure if it is historically accurate but we do need a floor to walk on - so here it is.

And with some Tung oil on




All the screws need to be replaced with tree nails, so time to make a few hundred. I will be using the last of the cherry wood I saved from the fire wood pile 10 years ago.

Cutting one more slice was difficult, this wood is very hard
 

This wood is very dry and needs to get some moisture before we can drill the nails out. The slices are now submerged in water.
 
Till next time
 
Vaddoc

Some progress and at last, a couple of nice photos to post!
 
I finished the pieces for the deck screwed things together, replaced with wooden nails, add reinforcing pieces underneath, glued everything together and sanded to 400 grit.

Then I had to decide whether to have black or light caulking. Admiral said black, so black it is! I masked the pieces, mixed black acrylic paint with Osmo filler and splashed it on.

Then removed tape and sanded everything smooth. The filler becomes light grey but with Tung oil will go ack to black.

Then I secured the grating with epoxy thickened with gypsum.

I also made a leg to support the deck using a drill sanding  against the disc sander - very fast results.

It does not look too bad! When I have time I ll glue everything together and move on


Regards
Vaddoc

Dear friends
 
One knows it's been a very long time since his last post, when he needs to search for his log! But here I am, so time for an update and a few photos as there is definitely progress made.
 
Allow me to shout a word of caution: DO NOT USE BEECH FOR PLANKING! I did read on wood database that it has a lot of movement in service, but the reality is just ridiculous. Any more movement and the wood would grow feet and run out of the shipyard.
 
First of all the planks shrunk. Initially there was no gap at all as I took pains to make them perfect. Then huge gaps appeared. I filled these in and then the planks shrunk more, with gaps opening once again. Then the boat kept changing shape, sometimes the two sides wanted to come together but others wanted to get away from each other.
 
The biggest problem was that some planks pulled out of the ribs, as shown in the photo bellow.

I had no idea how to fix it but in the end, the boat just changed shape again and the gaps closed. Magic!
 
So, next I finished the floor boards and also the small deck aft. 


I replaced all the screws with treenails and then, it was time for the thwarts. I used the original drawings which kind of hint where the thwarts should go. The benches aft however took an awful lot of head scratching to understand how they could be arranged, without massive wood work. I used the internet and some common sense and I think I came up with a reasonable solution.


 
I then made the legs, they came out alright I think.

Then, I made the knees to hold the thwarts. This took a long time as each knee has each individual shape and then had to be drilled, sanded and get a coat of Tung oil.

Then all were assembled, using 30 min Zpoxy which I am certain was the way it was done back in 1750.



Now the boat is structurally solid and complete. Now however it is time to think about painting the hull.
 
It really needs to be painted but with this cracks between the planks, it is not going to work. So they had to be filled.
 
I used again Osmo filler which I really like. This is how the hull looked afterwards.
 
The sanding that followed will be sang by bards for centuries. I went down to 320 grid, I really wanted 400 but I run out of sand paper.


Now, I am sure the cracks will reopen but this is the best I can do! Now, this is a hull that absolutely must be sealed. I never liked shellac and I ve been using for years a water based sealer (Decoart Americana). A coat went on, then sanded to 320 grid. Again, I really wanted 400 but I could not find even a small piece in the shipyard. Then another coat went on, sanded to 600 grid (I found a sheet somewhere)





The hull is as good as it will ever be. When I find time I ll put a coat of primer and paint the hull - Ivory and Prussian blue I think.
 
A last photo, till next time
 
Vaddoc

All done! I actually find making tree nails very therapeutic, calms (or numbs) the mind down.
No excuse now, back to the boat, although I feel like walking in the dark - not sure at all how these things were made. 
 
A final picture with the 4000+ nails - about 0.7 mm, very hard wood. If you ever go down this road, if you get a set up that works well just make as many as you can,

Dear friends
 
One knows it's been a very long time since his last post, when he needs to search for his log! But here I am, so time for an update and a few photos as there is definitely progress made.
 
Allow me to shout a word of caution: DO NOT USE BEECH FOR PLANKING! I did read on wood database that it has a lot of movement in service, but the reality is just ridiculous. Any more movement and the wood would grow feet and run out of the shipyard.
 
First of all the planks shrunk. Initially there was no gap at all as I took pains to make them perfect. Then huge gaps appeared. I filled these in and then the planks shrunk more, with gaps opening once again. Then the boat kept changing shape, sometimes the two sides wanted to come together but others wanted to get away from each other.
 
The biggest problem was that some planks pulled out of the ribs, as shown in the photo bellow.

I had no idea how to fix it but in the end, the boat just changed shape again and the gaps closed. Magic!
 
So, next I finished the floor boards and also the small deck aft. 


I replaced all the screws with treenails and then, it was time for the thwarts. I used the original drawings which kind of hint where the thwarts should go. The benches aft however took an awful lot of head scratching to understand how they could be arranged, without massive wood work. I used the internet and some common sense and I think I came up with a reasonable solution.


 
I then made the legs, they came out alright I think.

Then, I made the knees to hold the thwarts. This took a long time as each knee has each individual shape and then had to be drilled, sanded and get a coat of Tung oil.

Then all were assembled, using 30 min Zpoxy which I am certain was the way it was done back in 1750.



Now the boat is structurally solid and complete. Now however it is time to think about painting the hull.
 
It really needs to be painted but with this cracks between the planks, it is not going to work. So they had to be filled.
 
I used again Osmo filler which I really like. This is how the hull looked afterwards.
 
The sanding that followed will be sang by bards for centuries. I went down to 320 grid, I really wanted 400 but I run out of sand paper.


Now, I am sure the cracks will reopen but this is the best I can do! Now, this is a hull that absolutely must be sealed. I never liked shellac and I ve been using for years a water based sealer (Decoart Americana). A coat went on, then sanded to 320 grid. Again, I really wanted 400 but I could not find even a small piece in the shipyard. Then another coat went on, sanded to 600 grid (I found a sheet somewhere)





The hull is as good as it will ever be. When I find time I ll put a coat of primer and paint the hull - Ivory and Prussian blue I think.
 
A last photo, till next time
 
Vaddoc

Dear friends
 
One knows it's been a very long time since his last post, when he needs to search for his log! But here I am, so time for an update and a few photos as there is definitely progress made.
 
Allow me to shout a word of caution: DO NOT USE BEECH FOR PLANKING! I did read on wood database that it has a lot of movement in service, but the reality is just ridiculous. Any more movement and the wood would grow feet and run out of the shipyard.
 
First of all the planks shrunk. Initially there was no gap at all as I took pains to make them perfect. Then huge gaps appeared. I filled these in and then the planks shrunk more, with gaps opening once again. Then the boat kept changing shape, sometimes the two sides wanted to come together but others wanted to get away from each other.
 
The biggest problem was that some planks pulled out of the ribs, as shown in the photo bellow.

I had no idea how to fix it but in the end, the boat just changed shape again and the gaps closed. Magic!
 
So, next I finished the floor boards and also the small deck aft. 


I replaced all the screws with treenails and then, it was time for the thwarts. I used the original drawings which kind of hint where the thwarts should go. The benches aft however took an awful lot of head scratching to understand how they could be arranged, without massive wood work. I used the internet and some common sense and I think I came up with a reasonable solution.


 
I then made the legs, they came out alright I think.

Then, I made the knees to hold the thwarts. This took a long time as each knee has each individual shape and then had to be drilled, sanded and get a coat of Tung oil.

Then all were assembled, using 30 min Zpoxy which I am certain was the way it was done back in 1750.



Now the boat is structurally solid and complete. Now however it is time to think about painting the hull.
 
It really needs to be painted but with this cracks between the planks, it is not going to work. So they had to be filled.
 
I used again Osmo filler which I really like. This is how the hull looked afterwards.
 
The sanding that followed will be sang by bards for centuries. I went down to 320 grid, I really wanted 400 but I run out of sand paper.


Now, I am sure the cracks will reopen but this is the best I can do! Now, this is a hull that absolutely must be sealed. I never liked shellac and I ve been using for years a water based sealer (Decoart Americana). A coat went on, then sanded to 320 grid. Again, I really wanted 400 but I could not find even a small piece in the shipyard. Then another coat went on, sanded to 600 grid (I found a sheet somewhere)





The hull is as good as it will ever be. When I find time I ll put a coat of primer and paint the hull - Ivory and Prussian blue I think.
 
A last photo, till next time
 
Vaddoc

Excellent, nice to hear from you Hakan! I hope things have settled and previous issues are now behind you.
 

Excellent, nice to hear from you Hakan! I hope things have settled and previous issues are now behind you.