It's a fortunate circumstance that we have no schedule for finishing this project. Instead of getting back to the boat itself, we once again spent another day adding one last pair of bunks to the trailer. Greg is now satisfied that the trailer adequately supports the weight of the boat.
During our last couple of sessions, Greg and I noticed a slight twist in the boat's hull along the roll axis. While the stern is still straight, both relative to the trailer and to the floor, the bow is slightly uneven. So, we're going to spend the next session re-leveling and re-truing the hull. This will make sure that we have quality workmanship when we really get back to work.
Hey, any work we do is progress, right?
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Monday, February 08, 2010
In the Bunk House
As I mentioned before, these last couple of sessions haven't yielded any progress on the boat itself. We have, however, been laying the ground work for moving forward with the actual project. During our last couple of sessions, we've installed his air compressor, reinforced the supports on the boat trailer, and worked on making sure that the boat is level in relation to the trailer. The latter two pieces of work will allow us to make sure that the boat is built true, with no sagging or unexpected unevenness in the floor.
Our goal is to work on the boat itself next time. We plan to install and secure the cross-member frame pieces.
Our goal is to work on the boat itself next time. We plan to install and secure the cross-member frame pieces.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
More Boat Work - Sort Of
Greg and I have had a second session of boat work. Okay, it wasn't really, directly, actually working on the boat itself, but we're making progress toward getting back at the task of constructing the boat.
Yesterday, I helped him mount his air compressor to the floor in the garage. He's been there over a year now, and is just now getting around to this task. That should help you all understand why and how such a long hiatus occurred in the first place.
The next thing you need to understand is that the boat's shell has become a sort of storage container. Specifically, he stored a canoe, a touring kayak, and many, many aluminum pop and beer cans in the hull of his yet-to-be-named watercraft-in-the-making. After mounting the air compressor, we hung some pulleys from the ceiling, which allowed Greg to hang the canoe and kayak, thus allowing us to resume our project.
You may notice that we're now doing this every other weekend. This means that the boat will probably be finished in about two years -- assuming that we don't take any more sabbaticals. It also means that we'll probably be ready to actually work on the boat itself in approximately one month. Next week, we will finish shoring up the trailer, and finish wiring the air compressor -- if Greg hasn't completed that task by our next boat building session.
Yesterday, I helped him mount his air compressor to the floor in the garage. He's been there over a year now, and is just now getting around to this task. That should help you all understand why and how such a long hiatus occurred in the first place.
The next thing you need to understand is that the boat's shell has become a sort of storage container. Specifically, he stored a canoe, a touring kayak, and many, many aluminum pop and beer cans in the hull of his yet-to-be-named watercraft-in-the-making. After mounting the air compressor, we hung some pulleys from the ceiling, which allowed Greg to hang the canoe and kayak, thus allowing us to resume our project.
You may notice that we're now doing this every other weekend. This means that the boat will probably be finished in about two years -- assuming that we don't take any more sabbaticals. It also means that we'll probably be ready to actually work on the boat itself in approximately one month. Next week, we will finish shoring up the trailer, and finish wiring the air compressor -- if Greg hasn't completed that task by our next boat building session.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
A Hiaitus Too Long
Greg and I worked on the boat yesterday. Well, we didn't actually work on the boat itself yesterday... we did a little bit of work on how the trailer supports the boat, in preparation for getting back to work on the actual project.
When I thought back to the last time we worked on the boat, I knew that it had been more than a year... Greg's been in his new house for about 13 months. I estimated that it had been a year and a half. No, it's been longer... it's been approximately 20 months. Fortunately, I think that Greg's ready to get back to it. I guess we'll see how things progress.
When I thought back to the last time we worked on the boat, I knew that it had been more than a year... Greg's been in his new house for about 13 months. I estimated that it had been a year and a half. No, it's been longer... it's been approximately 20 months. Fortunately, I think that Greg's ready to get back to it. I guess we'll see how things progress.
Friday, March 20, 2009
This Blog Is Not Abandoned
Yes, I know that my last post was months ago. Unfortunately, Greg hasn't gotten his house in order, so there's nothing to report. Sorry. Maybe I should come up with a "Best of" post.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
He's Moved
Well, he's moved. And let me tell you, that guy had a lot of crap. I knew the guy was a pack rat, but I never fully realized exactly how much stuff he had in that tiny little house. Moving the contents of his house, garage and shed from their original locations to the U-Haul and two pods was like watching a marshmallow expand in a fire, or when a magician pulls that scarf out of his sleeve. All I can figure is that his old house was somehow like a space bag, and mysteriously shrunk shit enough to fit into the little nooks and crannies in the place.
One of the first things we moved was the boat, and I'm pleased to report that it survived the trip without incident, despite the fact that the internal framing isn't even completed -- almost four years later! (Yes, we've been at this for almost four years, and we're still not done!)
The new garage is even cooler than the old one... bigger, warmer, brighter, and it has running water and drains built into the floor. Unfortunately, Greg is currently using the garage and the hull of the boat as an overflow area for stuff while he gets the new house situated. This means no boat work for at least a month or so. The crazy thing is, I already miss our boat/beer/cigar/guy talk time, and I'm looking forward to getting back at it.
In order for that to happen though, Greg needs to organize the garage, which means that he needs to put up shelves and so forth. He's tentatively planning to do that between Christmas and New Year's day, and I'll probably help.
One of the first things we moved was the boat, and I'm pleased to report that it survived the trip without incident, despite the fact that the internal framing isn't even completed -- almost four years later! (Yes, we've been at this for almost four years, and we're still not done!)
The new garage is even cooler than the old one... bigger, warmer, brighter, and it has running water and drains built into the floor. Unfortunately, Greg is currently using the garage and the hull of the boat as an overflow area for stuff while he gets the new house situated. This means no boat work for at least a month or so. The crazy thing is, I already miss our boat/beer/cigar/guy talk time, and I'm looking forward to getting back at it.
In order for that to happen though, Greg needs to organize the garage, which means that he needs to put up shelves and so forth. He's tentatively planning to do that between Christmas and New Year's day, and I'll probably help.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Time Flies
"I'm not dead."
It seems that I've been saying that a lot lately. It's not that I'm neglecting things per se, it's more accurate to say I'm prioritizing. The internet, and my blogs in particular, have been downgraded in priority.
Greg and I are still doing work on the boat, but it's been slow going. I hope that our pace will pick up in the not-too-distant future. The slow pace is really more of a soap opera than anything, but if you're interested, read on.
You see, my ex-wife and Greg's wife are best friends. The ex got evicted from her apartment around the beginning of the year, and having nowhere else to go, Greg's wife agreed to let my ex move in with them. I don't exactly hate my ex, but I don't enjoy her presence either. And while I must give her credit for trying to not infringe on my male-bonding time when I went go Greg's for boat work, the knowledge that I was -- in some sort of twisted way -- hanging out at my ex-wife's place, certainly put a damper on my desire to hang out at Greg's house.
In addition to this, Greg and his wife started house-hunting. They found a new home and will be moving in a couple of weeks. The garage is bigger and better than what we have now, and the ex isn't moving with them. This means that we may have more boat time... but not until after Greg gets moved in to the new place.
It seems that I've been saying that a lot lately. It's not that I'm neglecting things per se, it's more accurate to say I'm prioritizing. The internet, and my blogs in particular, have been downgraded in priority.
Greg and I are still doing work on the boat, but it's been slow going. I hope that our pace will pick up in the not-too-distant future. The slow pace is really more of a soap opera than anything, but if you're interested, read on.
You see, my ex-wife and Greg's wife are best friends. The ex got evicted from her apartment around the beginning of the year, and having nowhere else to go, Greg's wife agreed to let my ex move in with them. I don't exactly hate my ex, but I don't enjoy her presence either. And while I must give her credit for trying to not infringe on my male-bonding time when I went go Greg's for boat work, the knowledge that I was -- in some sort of twisted way -- hanging out at my ex-wife's place, certainly put a damper on my desire to hang out at Greg's house.
In addition to this, Greg and his wife started house-hunting. They found a new home and will be moving in a couple of weeks. The garage is bigger and better than what we have now, and the ex isn't moving with them. This means that we may have more boat time... but not until after Greg gets moved in to the new place.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Lazy Days of Summer
That's not really a phrase that applies in our situation, but it sounded good nonetheless. Greg and I are still working on the boat, and we are still taking our time. The inside of the hull has been glassed, and we have test-fitted the stringers and frame pieces. Next weeek, we plan to tack the stringers into place, and then after that, it will be time to secure the stringers and frame pieces to the hull.
Greg also purchased a trailer last weekend. It looks nice, but Greg says that he'll have to make some minor adjustmenst to it.
Greg also purchased a trailer last weekend. It looks nice, but Greg says that he'll have to make some minor adjustmenst to it.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
I Almost Cried
I went to Greg's for another round of work last night. When I got there, I saw something that almost made me burst out in tears. Greg had virtually cut the boat in half.
After rolling the boat, Greg measured the width of the boat, and it was something like eight and a half feet wide, roughly six inches over the maximum width allowed without getting a permit to tow a wide load. Greg had originally decided to risk it... after all, the width would be difficult at best to measure. Apparently he changed his mind.
In order to get the width reduced, Greg put a relief cut in each side, from the top to about three inches from the bottom. He then used straps to pull the hull to the width he wanted, and then filled the relief cuts with thickened epoxy and re-taped the hull, inside and out. He cut through the spray rail and everything.
It's his boat, so he can do what he wants. But had I known what he was thinking, I'd have done everything in my power to talk him out of doing that. We could have used straps and epoxy and pulled the hull in, attaching it to the frame pieces, and things would have been much less invasive. Additionally, the bottom is probably ever-so-slightly hooked now, and the spray rails will likely have a noticeable bend at the cutting point. The biggest thing though, is the fact that we're going to have to re-sand and re-paint this scar, and probably re-tape it a couple more times as well.
I almost cried.
After rolling the boat, Greg measured the width of the boat, and it was something like eight and a half feet wide, roughly six inches over the maximum width allowed without getting a permit to tow a wide load. Greg had originally decided to risk it... after all, the width would be difficult at best to measure. Apparently he changed his mind.
In order to get the width reduced, Greg put a relief cut in each side, from the top to about three inches from the bottom. He then used straps to pull the hull to the width he wanted, and then filled the relief cuts with thickened epoxy and re-taped the hull, inside and out. He cut through the spray rail and everything.
It's his boat, so he can do what he wants. But had I known what he was thinking, I'd have done everything in my power to talk him out of doing that. We could have used straps and epoxy and pulled the hull in, attaching it to the frame pieces, and things would have been much less invasive. Additionally, the bottom is probably ever-so-slightly hooked now, and the spray rails will likely have a noticeable bend at the cutting point. The biggest thing though, is the fact that we're going to have to re-sand and re-paint this scar, and probably re-tape it a couple more times as well.
I almost cried.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Bigger than I Realized
I can't describe how nice it is to be doing something other than sanding and fairing. The stringers have been removed, and we're now beginning to tape the internal seams. Greg taped the front transom over the weekend, and we both taped the rear transom last night. During last night's session, my younger daughter climbed inside the hull and cruised around on her Heelys. That was when I realized just how big this boat actually is. I took a video of this, which is posted here.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Just a shell
Greg and I had an impromptu boat work session today. After about five hours, we had shored up the unstable frame pieces, removed the old frame (which is no longer necessary, since the boat is now flipped) and have removed the boat's structural frame pieces.
Over the next few days, my younger daughter will be removing nails from the lumber that we're able to salvage, while Greg and I remove the boat's stringers, leaving us with a hollow shell. Next comes glassing the inside of the boat, in preparation for re-installing the boat's stringers and structural frame pieces.
Over the next few days, my younger daughter will be removing nails from the lumber that we're able to salvage, while Greg and I remove the boat's stringers, leaving us with a hollow shell. Next comes glassing the inside of the boat, in preparation for re-installing the boat's stringers and structural frame pieces.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Flipped Out!
We got the boat flipped, but it was a day where everything that could go wrong, did. Okay, not quite "everything." Nobody was hurt, and the boat is still in one piece. But it did take five guys four hours to get her rolled.
I've been waiting to roll this boat for years... literally! We've been sanding and fairing for so long that I don't remember what it's like to not be in sanding and fairing hell. Now, after years of making the boat look right, we can continue the structural and functional construction.
Here's a link to a video I made, consisting of photos and comments.
I've been waiting to roll this boat for years... literally! We've been sanding and fairing for so long that I don't remember what it's like to not be in sanding and fairing hell. Now, after years of making the boat look right, we can continue the structural and functional construction.
Here's a link to a video I made, consisting of photos and comments.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Boat Frame III
I haven't forgotten about you or the boat. It's simply that we're operating slowly this winter. We're close to flipping the boat, so there's not much to do other than build the cradle for the flip. As you can see from this picture, the cradle is nearly finished. Once the snow melts a bit and the weather warms a little, we'll flip 'er and get back to work.
Friday, January 11, 2008
(Ready to) Flip Out
We're done with the hull and are building the frame in order to flip the boat over. Don't worry, I'll take some pics of this momentous occasion.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Black Bottomed Boat
As I mentioned earlier, we changed the color of the boat's bottom. Here's the pic I promised.Sunday, December 09, 2007
Updating the Blog
Over the next several days (or weeks if I'm pressed for time), I will be moving some of my older pictures and videos to a new host. As a result, if you are an RSS subscriber to this blog, some of my posts may not be in chronological order. You are, however, still welcome to read these older posts... think of them as "best of" episodes.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
New Bottom Paint
We laid the first coat of the graphite-infused, epoxy-based bottom paint, and I've got to say I'm really pleased with the results. It went pretty quickly, and I like the black better than the red. Unfortunately, I didn't bring my camera, so no pics this time.
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Dancing the Boat
Building this boat is kind of like dancing a box step... step forward, step sideways, step back, step sideways, repeat ad nauseum. Greg decided that he didn't like the red finish on the bottom... too much orange peel texture for him. So we sanded it smooth and tried a roll and tip. It wasn't good enough. Now Greg's decided to do an epoxy-based, black-tinted bottom, infused with graphite, giving us a smooth bottom that (theoretically) will give us a more durable bottom coat that does a better job of sliding over rocks without killing the paint. He had done the copper-infused bottom paint, but since we're going to be running this almost exclusively in fresh water, he's not concerned about buildup on the bottom.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
A Second First Coat
Last week we saw the results of our first coat of paint and were not pleased. Lots of lines in the paint. Greg decided to sand the paint smooth and start again. This time around, things look better, and we've agreed not to do any more sanding until the second-to-last coat is applied. This way we have a build-up of paint. Next week, another coat.
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