18th century longboat by Derek C - FINISHED - from Model Shipways plans

[Derek C]

Ok so I finished my longboat kit build from model shipways and found it was fun and challenging,so I started looking at other kits to build my second model . Then yesterday by chance I got a bunch of teakwood from a friend and thought to myself what am I going to do with this . Then I figured why not cut it up and build another longboat but this time from scratch using all teakwood. I have never done anything like this before and never worked with teakwood before . But what the heck I figure I'll give it a shot.  I will build it using Model Shipway plans and instructions . 

[Derek C]

Here is some of the wood I will use

[Derek C]

I started to rip a bunch of 1/32 pieces to use as planking for the hull then I will use my exactoknfe to cut them into 3/32 wide strips 

[Derek C]

Then I cut a piece at 3/32 thick and will use this to mark up my 16 bulkheads , false keel, and keel pieces

[Derek C]

Here is a piece of the planking that was cut to 1/32 x3/32 , I am surprised how bendable this wood is I was worried that it might be brittle when cut this thin but seems pretty tough 

[Tigersteve]

Good luck. I'm in. 

Steve

[RussR]

I finished a 18th century longboat for my 1st build and learn a lot. I think a 1st scratch build would be the same 18th century longboat but in a larger scale.

[Derek C]

Today I actually got to start fabrication , I wanted to get the false keel done first , as it looked like it was going to be the most complicated peice to make. So I traced the plan for the false keel onto a piecs of paper and then transferred that onto a piece of 3/32 teak that I had ripped earlier in the week . Then I used my Dremel with a multi purpose cutting bit #561 , and the cutting guide attachment. To get a rough cut around my marked pattern. 

[Derek C]

After I had the rough cut out , I used a few drops of glue to adhere the paper template I had traced earlier to it. Then I broke ot my files and sand paper and slowly worked the rough cut teak to match my template. I then removed the paper, and sanded of the glue and shaped the aft of the fakse keel. I also shaped the bottom edge of the false keel bringing them down from 3/32 to 1/32  to allow the planking a nice place to sit.

[Derek C]

Here are a couple pics of finished false keel

[Derek C]

I finished the main keel using the same technique I used to do the false keel then glued them together 

[Derek C]

I started on my bulkheads, Using the traced bulkheads from the plans and proceeded to "hack " out a rough  shape  around the paper templates. I say hacked because as u can see from the photos I wouldn't say I "cut "  them out lol . Then I used files and sanding blocks to get the shape to match my template , then I got smart and got rid of the files and sanding blocks and broke out my dremel with the rotary shaft and sanding drum and life was good . I did use the files and sanding blocks to get the final shape of the bulkheads . I really enjoyed building the kit of this longboat , but must say the joy of creating these pieces from scratch is great and very relaxing. this is the first time doing a scratch build and I think I'm doing it ok . I hope to have the bulkheads done, glued and the hull faired so I can start planking this weekend . Also I posted earlier that I was cutting my planks at 1/32x3/32 but that was incorrect . The planks are cut 1/32x 1/8 . I cut them a bit larger so I can sand the edges to get my final measurements and keep them all true .... well that's the plan anyway. I will let y'all know how that works out for me .

[Derek C]

I have glued in the bulkheads and fillers at the bow ,I also glued a couple pieces of basswood strips on the inside of the hull to help sturdy it up a bit while fairing the outside of the bulkheads. I glued them close to top of the bulkheads to make removing the basswood and cleaning off the glue easier .

[Derek C]

I faired the hull , added the keel ,and started to remove the temporary bracing on the inside of the hull .

[Tigersteve]

Why did you remove the bracing before planking?

Steve

[Derek C]

I needed to remove  them at the stern to put in the transom and started pulling off the rest , honestly wish I wouldn't have removed as much as I did because it is very delicate now but once I get the first couple planks on It should gain its rigidly again

 

[Derek C]

I started planking today and found out teak don't like to bend the way I wanted it to . I Even soaked the pieces  over night . But it did not phase the wood planks. So I went to the kitchen and boiled them, I started with six planks but found once they cooled even slightly they were not as playable is I wanted .so I boiled two and formed them let them cool and dry and then set them on the hull . Then repeated process.

[Derek C]

I got the planks pretty straight by clamping a dozen of them together and sanding them on both sides to get my final of 1/8 inch . After I got them to the size I used a black permanent marker on the sides to imitate the sealant.

[Derek C]

Luckily I got the first few planks on without incident.  But the boat was very fragile to handle, I thought for sure I was going to snap a bulkhead or two I would recommend leaving the inside bracing on and just cut enough off to install the transom .I see why  Steve asked his question and realize my mistake as soon as I removed them,a noob mistake for sure . And I'm sure more of those to come lol ,

[Derek C]

Here is my progress on the planking ,working with the teakwood is real time consuming and difficult. But I think in the end it will look ok 

[Derek C]

Not much progress done today I got one side finished and a few planks more down the other side . I could not lay the planks on the hull as I intended that teak would not play nice in some places so the bottom of the hull is a bit crowded and busy.

[Derek C]

I got the planking done . And with the huge hurricane only days away I thinking I should have built a bigger boat 😳 . So I figured I'd sit outside and sand the hull down and start cleaning up the inside of the hull and the inside is going to take some work so I will sit out here and do it and enjoy the weather while I can lol here's a few pics of the inside (I haven't started on yet ) and the outside that I have started sanding on 

[scasey88]

Looking Good Derek, I like the Teak, what kind of finish are you going to put on it? hopefully something that preserves the natural look of the Teak. hope you stay safe during the hurricane and it doesn't get you too bad.

Shawn

[Derek C]

Thanks Shawn 

I'm not sure of the finish.I planned on using  a linseed oil ,but have heard I will need to reapply the oil on a consistent basis. So I'm thinking of just a clear coat and paint a few accent pieces white . but I'm still unsure exactly what I want 

[Derek C]

Here is a update not much on my longboat though lol I Made it through hurricane Irma, We had to evacuate last minute so I grabbed my pocket knife and a piece of the teakwood with me to keep me busy and here's what I came up with 

[Derek C]

Now that I'm back home waiting on power I started sanding inside of longboat still a bit to do but getting better

[Derek C]

I had a few gaps in my planking so I'm trying the watered down glue and fine sawdust trick here's what it looks like covered in the mixture once it dries I will sand it with 320 grit then finish it off with 1000 grit I won't apply a finish until I add the cap rail and some molding .

[Derek C]

Ok started to sand the boat ......Apparently you don't have to cake on as much as I did 🙈Sanding it all back off is going to suck lol this is one mistake I have just learned from

[Derek C]

Got the outside of the hull done with 320 after I do the inside I will run it down with a 1000 grit. I will wait to do the finish sanding once I  glue the cap rail ,and molding.

[Derek C]

Got a bit done on the longboat. I got my cap rail on ,and the flooring in. I also added a few pieces of the molding to see how it looked  .