The big day has come.Well, a slightly bigger day than some!Its been a bit warmer of late, about 17 deg C here this afernoon and with primer paint on and sanded it seemed like a good idea to paint the outside of SEI’s hull.
Resene make really good paint,the staff at their open 7 days a week branches are better informed and usually more helpful than those in the big box hardware stores paint dept, and I often use their paints.
This time I felt that I’d like a change from the usual high gloss enamel, I’d tried their water based enamel on the kayak and while its easy to slap on, and durable in terms of its ability to survive the elements it does scratch easily so I was looking to see what other alternatives there might be.
Sure enough they’ve got a semi gloss satin finish solvent based enamel called “Lusta-Glo”( Who thinks these names up?) . The spec sheet said all the right things, and within the limited range of colours in this paint type there were a couple that were close so,
Dark green hull, I bought a can of white which will have a few dribbles of the green added to paint the interior with, and a rich russet red for the gunwales and maybe a boot stripe along the waterline.
I put the first coat on today, brush coated, stroke lengthwise diagonal one way then the other then tip off lengthwise.
It brishes nicely as long as the brush is kept fairly full, looks ok.I like the idea of the satin finish, its more workboaty in its look plus I have to admit that one of the things that I like is that it tends not to show the defects in my building quite as badly as high gloss.
Its a little darker than this in reality, not quite Hunting Green or British Racing Green but about as close as the limited palette for this paint could get. Looks good, but the data sheet says that it wont have its natural finish for a day or two after application.
I have to say it goes on well, no trouble keeping a wet edge and feathering the new paint in as you go.
Just as a by the way, Im trying to reorganise my shop, thats why its all untidy.
It’s a bit of a landmark in the build,I’ll give her another coat on Sunday then flip her back over a couple of days later and get on with gluing the seats in and tidying up before doing the tinting trick with the green and white before painting the interior.
Soon.The end is in sight, in this case it’s a double end.
SimonLew in Florida has decided to cater to his aesthetic sensibilities and is resurfacing his Goat to make it run-free, as posted on his excellent blog. This works well for round birdsmouth masts.
The video link is below. I would have embedded it in this post but Blogger is apparently at war with me right now and wont allow it.
Another bunch of small items taken care of over the past few days to share with you.
First up, I decided to bite the bullet and glue those gunwales on. Pretty much the whole show was waiting for this to happen. Ive also decided to delay gluing on the rear seat until I get the rudder hardware. Technically, the rear seat should be glued down along with the front seat, and then the gunwales, and then the spacers at BH4... However, everything fits really nice, and the boat is dialed in really sweet. Id rather just have the space to work with rather than screw around through an inspection port to get my rudder installed.
The gunwales, as you may remember, were already clamped into position and screwed in place to suck them in where need be. I carefully removed the gunwale, left the screws in position in the sides, and coated everything with epoxy. Then, I mixed up a bunch of glue, made it quite thick, and coated it on the gunwale. With the bow end propped up on a bench, I screwed in the stern, and worked my way forward. I then inspected the gunwale for gaps above and below the sheer. The gaps on the underside of the gunwale can only be corrected really with screws. Fortunately I had my can of ply-backed screws nearby, and added a few more per side depending on where they were needed. A line of packing tape kept things nice and clean.
Then, I decided to throw in the side arms for BH2 and 4. It had come to my attention through the Storer forum that the side arms for BH2 are oversized. I had cut mine like the others, and theres not enough gluing area for this high stress location. This was a bummer, because my sidearms were really nicely shaped with a good fit. I whipped out some cedar, traced the old BHs down, and in a few minutes had new sidearms. You can see the difference below.
Tonight, I glued up the starboard inwale spacers. They fit so nice, only a little bit of glue is needed. Some very gentle playing with the clamps and some thick glue and I got every spacer to sit where I wanted it. PHEW. It takes two hands per spacer but theres a definite feel how to get them to stay in position so they dont float.
Heres a nice picture of my boat with her gunwale glued on, and planed to match the ply. Shes looking good!
AND, heres a quintessential boatbuiling pic that I swear was not staged. Clamps, hand planes, shavings, inpsection port, this picture has got it all.
Slowly but surely, carefully, things are coming along!
My second gunwale is scarfed and glued! As you can see, the epoxy will glue your bricks to the wood too! I had to chisel the brick off the wood, and it left brick behind which was further chiseled. This is my nicest, tightest scarf to date... on this side. Little more of a gap on the other side which is too bad, because the tight side will be glued to the boat due to a curvature in the wood that already nicely conforms to the hull.
My mast step and mast partner are glued up, in place, and ready to be cut open to fit the mast and then glued down. I doubled up the mast partner because the top of BH2 can be easily twisted by hand. By doubling it up, it stiffens it considerably. This makes me feel better after the chaotic gluing job around these bulkheads:
My bow knee came out well except for two things 1. I forgot that it was to be placed OVER the stem. My stem comes up to the edges of the ply, no room to slip it over. This means I will have to either slip it behind the stem or on top of it. I will ask Storer for recommendations. My bow was also considerably wider than the number provided by Storer for the knee. I would highly recommend tracing real world bow to your piece of lumber prior to cutting. Remember to keep the gunwales fastened. My stern knees, by comparison, came out great (I traced the real deal and did not go by the numbers provided by Storer). The great thing about my stern knees is that they are interchangeable, as in, both corners are the same! Yes! Precision building yes! Notice my mail. This is where I throw my bills. Then when I glue on the aft seat, they will be sealed in forever, and all my financial problems will disappear!
Because my workshop is a walk from my assembly point in the garage, my hull is becoming my new holding bin/workshop.
Its also dusty in there! My lonesome bike, covered in wood dust. Primarily this dust is from the wood cherry countertops being built by my brother in law right behind me, but the picture is cooler if everyone thinks its coming from my boat!
In addition,
1. my side arms for BH2 and 4 are cut and beveled to the sides (again, I waited until I got my boat assembled to match them to the actual hull)
2. inwale spacers are cut
I would like warmer temps in the garage before I start gluing things. As of right now, strictly hull, non-gluing, I need to do the following:
1. Cut out the mast holes in the partner and step
2. Scarf inwales
3. Finish fitting bow seat (waiting for gluing of seat cleats)
Other than that, rudder, daggerboard, mast and spars, centerboard trunk.
I am very close to having a totally completed hull.
AHOY! A new boat joins this blog! We have seen a Goat Island Skiff, a Quick Canoe, a Sea Pearl 21, assorted other boats from friends, and now I present FLO-MOs stitch and glue interpretation of a West Mersea Duck Punt from southeast England!
At the end of September, I got a hankering to do something a little different than the coastal open-boat cruising. A rainy solo evening at home got me reacquainted with Dylan Winters duck punting videos from the UK. For the intrepid reader who DOESNT know anything about duck punting in traditional duck punts from West Mersea, England, have a look-see over at Ye Olde YouTubes.
I strongly suggest looking at Lurchs page, as he has some phenomenal videos of duck punting with his local duck punting group. I have spent hours watching his videos to glean sailing tips. Dylan Winter, through his famous Keep Turning Left adventure has literally wrested this small traditional duck boat from SE England and plunked it on the world stage of sailing, where it has weaseled its way into many sailors hearts for its simplicity that also demands high levels of technique.
Duck Punts have no rudders, or centerboards. They are sailed by sail and weight trim, and an oar. They sail in a few inches of water, and cost little to build.
Capn Jon pushed me over the edge, and I built a duck punt in one month, for a few hundred dollars. I built my punt from FLO-MOs stitch and glue adaptation of John Milgates classic West Mersea duck punt plans. There were a few aesthetic and construction changes, but the scantlings and dimensions are true to FLO-MOs plans. I did not play naval architect and I wanted to ensure I kept the West Mersea shape that FLO-MO put together. John Milgate requires a strongback and 10mm plywood, I wanted mine built out of 6mm ply and without the strongback. Primarily, this was because I wanted to car top my punt, as I live somewhat landlocked. Meranti ply and pine came from Goose Bay Lumber, leftover epoxy, some screws, and a few cans of Rust-O-Leum. An optimist club sail came from Intensity Sails for a swell price.
Then, I called the legendary Dan Noyes, who built a solid wood 12 Yankee reimagination of John Milgates punt, and we went punting!
Dan Noyes with his punt on a dolly, walking down to the water. Dans punt is constructed of solid pine boards and oak frames.
MRS MUMBLES and Dans Punt getting ready to launch. Note Dans DIPPING LUG RIG. SALTY!
Detail of Dans Punt
MRS MUMBLES working through the grasses to a hidden creek in Plum Island Sound
Dan follows behind, snaking through the grass
Dan and his dipping lug, which he dips.
Working up another creek
We find small irrigation ditches and follow them deep into the flats. Notice my super cheap-o boom jaws! The entire rig is made of poplar dowels. Not ideal, but a quick fix for quick sailing. Forestay to keep mast from wobbling too much. A more permanent mast is in the works for this winter.
Dan in his own irrigation ditch.
Dans ditch comes to the end of the line. From here, we will drag the boats.
A salt pan, that remains full at low-tide, above the water line, in the middle of the flats.
MRS MUMBLES
Time for lunch! We are pleased with this beautiful day.
Dan sailing MRS MUMBLES After these pictures, they ran away from me
MRS MUMBLES is very fast, which is why I have lots of stern pictures from a distance, and very few up-close action shots. Having a fast boat is not frustrating, unless you are trying to take pictures of it.
Heading home in round-about kind of way.
Hauling out in the muddiest canal we could find in the entire state of Massachusetts.
Please join in me in welcoming MRS MUMBLES to GISAmateur Style! HUZZAH!
There is an entire gallery, including construction, that you can peruse at this link.
When young Dawn with her rose-red fingers shone once more,
they set sail for the main encampment of Achaea.
The Archer sent them a bracing following wind,
they stepped the mast, spread the white sails wide,
the wind hit full and the canvas bellied out
and a dark blue wave, foaming up at the bow,
sang out loud and strong as the ship made way,
skimming the whitecaps, cutting toward her goal. (Illiad I:569-576, Fagles)
Intrepid readers, welcome. This is the Small Reach Regatta 2012
It has been a year since the last Small Reach, and again we met this year at Lamoine State Park in Maine for several days of sailing, rowing, camaraderie, and all out awesome.
Day 1
This Small Reach was a momentous meet-up for Goat Island Skiffs with a total of three (3) boats sailing together simultaneously. This is the first time this has happened, ever! I am proud that I Am Zinea, Pterodactylus was part of this historic moment. It was a damn cool feeling to be sailing with other boats of the same pedigree.
Moments before launch on Day 1 THREE GOATS From left to right: Bleat, IAZP, Kathleen Marie
Happiness is Goat on water (Courtesy of Capn Jon)
The first day of the SRR was a sail out to Thomas Island, as shown below and marked by an "A". Since this was launching day we spent some time milling around Lamoine (northeast of Thomas, marked in green) until most boats were launched. Then we set off Armada style for Thomas. I ended up leisurely cruising behind Capn Jon in his Pheonix III Two Hearted-- official IAZ,P Partner in Adventure.
This was Capn Jons first SRR and he decided to approach the east beach on Thomas by wrapping around the backside of the island. I thought this was a fine idea since I had never been back there and there appeared to be obstacle strewn shallow waters on the south end. Just as expected we had to beat upwind to the beach in shallow seaweed and rock festooned waters! Several other hapless skippers followed us. Im pretty sure they all had a good time, right? It was a great technical sail complete with the usual rowboat spectators waiting for us on the beach.
Me and my Goat. (Courtesy of Capn Jon)
I got there early and was able to take some pictures of others arriving.
Paul driving Kathleen Marie to Thomas
Kathleen Marie and a Penobscot 14
Bleats first sail! WOOT WOOT
Sea Pearl 21 Velella Velella
Loon, a Devlin Egret This guy isnt afraid to run her right up onto whatever rocks are in the way. Bulletproof.
First boats are pulling up with most of the fleet downwind of the island. Note Bleat
Andrews Ian Oughtred J2
Bleat
Clint Chase gets to put his cool logo on his sail
Kathleen Marie nestled in for lunch
Brand new Core Sound 17 after first sail EVAR
After lunch the wind had picked up considerably and it was time to sail back to Lamoine. At this point I picked up a crewmember (moveable ballast!) and so I decided to forego reefing and see how fast we could get IAZ,P. We made it back to Lamoine and had no one to greet us as everyone was still behind us. So we turned around and beat back to the fleet. Landing on the shore at Lamoine turned exciting since it was a lee shore at that point.
Clint coming in under mizzen alone and Capn Jon in Two Hearted
Scooting along
Clint posing, Ellie shipshaping, and Capn Jon struggling. Its more fun to watch from a distance.
I ended up going back out again with another crewmember. This time we were reefed to the second point. This was a great idea, and the boat performed awesome. Sailing is fun, the wind was up, I couldnt justify not sailing again.
Me storming back to the beach under 2 reefs. Full speed ahead. (Courtesy Capn Jon)
Hand carry parking area. Lots of coolness.
YAY friends!
It was windy enough that Jasmine, a Caledonia Yawl (of which we will see much more of later) ended up blowing out its mast step. At the SRR this is not a problem, because we can wander over to Allens mobile woodshop and fabricate a new one.
Making that new mast step. It doesnt have to be nice, just functional.
Hand carry at dusk
Day 2
On Friday it was off to gorgeous Stave Island, far on the eastern side of Frenchmans Bay. I was able to scoot out relatively quickly in some light air. It was beautiful sailing, though interrupted by some calm. I had some moments of absolute golden sailing in flat glass scooting right along. All in all, a little bit of everything. I was the first sailboat to reach Stave, with the rowboats waiting for me (again... those rowboats).
Three Goats and the Pheonix III
One Goat. Two Goat. Three Goat.
Caledonia Yawl Jasmine on the way to Stave Island with Cadillac Mountain
Beautiful sailing...
...The fleet behind me...
...A nice sail shape...
...BAM! Into a WALL OF CALM. Out came the oars. Row, row, row your boat, fool.
Breeze back up and some nice Maine islands.
The fleet starts to show up. Note Far and Away, a completely unique Nomans Land boatto port of IAZ,P
Nap in the grass
Capn Jon decides to finally show up along with a Bolger Sweet Pea, Better Than Chocolate. This Pea never gave up and always made it.
On the way out of Stave Island, wind is coming back up and Clint and I start to get into it.
Video from Steve B of Clint and I battling it out
Clint and I fighting to windward. This is happiness.
A very cool Washington County Peapod with a Block Island (RI) rig. Out of Chapelles American Small Sailing Craft Nicknamed "stiletto"-- good looking but a pain to use
After a spirited sail out of Stave Island, we ran smack right back into the WALL OF CALM and sat floating in the middle of Frenchman Bay. What to do but rehydrate and while away the hours? And then....
Jasmine gives IAZ,P a tow. This is a GISAmateur first!
Three little ducks all in a row. Look at that sky!
Sam and his CLC Northeaster Dory power-sailing like a champ.
Day 3 and the EPICNESS OF THREE (3) GOATS
The itinerary on the third day was Lamoine to Bean Island, but we did a circumnavigation of Dram Island first off of Sorento since the wind was so so sweet and we were making such great time.
Bean Island lunchtime:
Goats getting cozy
Intrepid reader, I am not going to write much here. I just want you to enjoy what it is like when three Goats get together to terrorize the neighborhood for a bit. All of the below pictures of three Goats are courtesy of Capn Jon. Thank you Capn Jon for turning around and taking notice of this momentous event!
I present to you Goat Island Skiff history:
Clint and myself working west.
Catching up to Paul who slowed up a bit so we could sail together
Terrorizing the Maine coast with smelly Goats! Fast as stink!
Braying loud-mouthed Goats!
Pillaging Goats!
Full on Goat fury!
Capn Jon wisely stayed behind and out of the way of angry Goats!
Well that was fun. I dont think I was able to wipe the smile off my face that day.
Into Lamoine the wind slacked off and I doubled back to do some sailing with Two Hearted.
Shortly after this the wind died off and Capn Jon and I decided to go for a swim. Then Capn Jon got the brilliant idea to pull the boats by ourselves, so we self towed. Jasmine came swinging by like the predator she is and figured she might be able to get salvage rights and gave us yet another tow. Skipper Chris has no fear, and this is why I like him. He sail towed us right into the mooring field. Go Chris, Go!
Swimming. Notice Capn Jon in distance also swimming. We are heroes to the people.
On board and ready to rock! Chris rocked us back and Mary fed us.
Then, it was time to pull the boats. Sadness.
Herreshoff Carpenter
again
Tom Jackons Nomans Land boat, Far and Away
Interior detail of Far and Away
Kathleen Marie at rest with Acadia National Park
Before we knew it, Small Reach Regatta 2012 was over. A giant lobster dinner followed (and I do mean giant-- clams, mussels, sausages, corn, lobsters and more lobsters, etc) along with appropriate after-SRR campfires, story telling, and reminiscing.
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My bow knee came out well except for two things 1. I forgot that it was to be placed OVER the stem. My stem comes up to the edges of the ply, no room to slip it over. This means I will have to either slip it behind the stem or on top of it. I will ask Storer for recommendations. My bow was also considerably wider than the number provided by Storer for the knee. I would highly recommend tracing real world bow to your piece of lumber prior to cutting. Remember to keep the gunwales fastened. My stern knees, by comparison, came out great (I traced the real deal and did not go by the numbers provided by Storer). The great thing about my stern knees is that they are interchangeable, as in, both corners are the same! Yes! Precision building yes! Notice my mail. This is where I throw my bills. Then when I glue on the aft seat, they will be sealed in forever, and all my financial problems will disappear!
Because my workshop is a walk from my assembly point in the garage, my hull is becoming my new holding bin/workshop.
