2025 Devlin Snow Goose Thread

[HenryHawthorne]

Quick update, specific to the plans on case anyone else is considering an SG build.

I mentioned in an early post that the new (2023) plans, as Sam put it, had feet in both upside down and rightside up build camps (as they transition to upside down). He'd sent me some initial updates with design waterline measurements for some of the bulkheads, but as I went through the modeling process I identified some other questions and needs. Sam went through the entire plans again, and has send a revised version - so the most current Snow Goose plans are now as of 2/8/25.

In addition to my questions and observations, I'd shared that I planned to build "open" bulkheads rather than knee bulkheads in the cockpit section, noting that was a recommendation among builders here. He obviously liked that idea, as the latest plans include (in addition to knee dimensions) layouts for full bulkheads with a notation they could be optionally built for greater strength. It also turns out that the revised plan for the transom is for a long shaft motor.

Otherwise, I've gathered materials for building a strongback and will get started on that in the next few days.

 

[RM Anderson]

Henry, I am super excited for you. Like you I am recently retired and have kept active with projects like these. Don't understand people who say they are bored. During the long days of taping seams I couldn't wait to be done. Now I can't wait to start another.
Enjoy, Richard

 

[Carl]

I've got 6 years to go, and I have no intention of being bored!
Henry, cant wait to see your SG come together, you are definately taking a methodical approach!

 

[tod osier]

I've got 6 years to go, and I have no intention of being bored!
Henry, cant wait to see your SG come together, you are definately taking a methodical approach!

It will be fun to watch such a well thought out build come together and to see some new ideas take form.

 

[HenryHawthorne]

Henry, I am super excited for you. Like you I am recently retired and have kept active with projects like these. Don't understand people who say they are bored. During the long days of taping seams I couldn't wait to be done. Now I can't wait to start another.
Enjoy, Richard

Yes, haven't been bored for a minute. My career required too many hours on the clock, and too many of my "off the clock" hours consumed with work-related activities and thought. I finally have time to pursue activities I enjoy, learn and develop new skills, travel and enjoy family, and volunteer. It has been rejuvenating, and even though I loved my work I don't miss it at all.

I've got 6 years to go, and I have no intention of being bored!
Henry, cant wait to see your SG come together, you are definately taking a methodical approach!

It will be fun to watch such a well thought out build come together and to see some new ideas take form.

Methodical and well thought out are probably a bit generous, but the proof will be in execution. This forum has been super-helpful, both in terms of direct advice and shared experience on the SG and other similar Devlin designs, and of the more general duck boat design, rebuild, and modification threads. I'm finding all kinds of solutions to the ideas and wants that have come to mind in considering and now planning my boat. I doubt there will be much "new", but rather that there will be abundant and recognizable plagiarism of others' great works.

It's daunting starting a project knowing I don't know a lot more than I do know - but I've been encouraged by the straight and sometimes frank advice I've seen on this forum. I suspect that will help avoid major errors as I stumble along. In other words, don't hesitate to share your experience and knowledge if you see me heading down a crazy path.

 

[Phil Nowack]

I am coming to the party late... But my Chessies always were is the splash well with no issues(when hunting).. transport they are at my feet in the cockpit. I think the splash well on the honker was closer to 20-24"... And made more like the wells on a TDB Sea class

 

[HenryHawthorne]

Made some progress on the strongback frame this weekend - have the rest of the frame to build up and then can get to work on bulkheads to complete the form. I'll be making 2 temporary bulkheads from mdf, as I'll be moving a couple bulkheads from the plan and want to measure, cut and fit them after flipping the boat rightside up.

I should have my okoume in the next week or so, and expect to have the strongback and 2 temp bulkheads completed by then.

 

[Eric Patterson]

Henry

Is the boat being built at an auto repair shop? Wherever you are building it I recommend putting visqueen under your cradle, taped to the floor, to prevent making a mess of the floor when you get epoxy drips and spills. It's inevitable.

 

[HenryHawthorne]

Henry

Is the boat being built at an auto repair shop? Wherever you are building it I recommend putting visqueen under your cradle, taped to the floor, to prevent making a mess of the floor when you get epoxy drips and spills. It's inevitable.

A friend and I lease part of what used to be an auto repair shop - for storage, for working on our older cars, and for various projects. Thanks for the reminder about the visqueen, I have a big roll ready to go.

 

[tod osier]

Henry

Is the boat being built at an auto repair shop? Wherever you are building it I recommend putting visqueen under your cradle, taped to the floor, to prevent making a mess of the floor when you get epoxy drips and spills. It's inevitable.

I'll argue that one... I think it is neat as heck to have a boat shaped outline of epoxy on the floor.

 

[Eric Patterson]

I'll argue that one... I think it is neat as heck to have a boat shaped outline of epoxy on the floor.

Until your son skateboards though the garage, hits an epoxy clump, and goes flying across the garage with nothing but concrete to soften the landing. But yeah, the crime scene outline is a bit cool too.

 

[tod osier]

Until your son skateboards though the garage, hits an epoxy clump, and goes flying across the garage with nothing but concrete to soften the landing. But yeah, the crime scene outline is a bit cool too.

Grandkids are more likely for all of us at this point.

 

[Neal Haarberg]

I'll argue that one... I think it is neat as heck to have a boat shaped outline of epoxy on the floor.

I had a plastic cup of epoxy with a chip brush in fall on my floor and didn't notice it until it was cured. Can't tell you how many people tried to pick up that brush over the 5 years until I sold my house.

 

[HenryHawthorne]

Finished up the strongback and the temporary bulkheads 3 & 6. Clamped them up to get an idea if where this is headed.



Picked out some nice, straight-grained Phillipine Mahogany boards today - they and marine plywood should get delivered Friday or Saturday. I'm fortunate that the youngest son in a family I got to know well many years ago is running an offshoot of his dad's old exotic wood business - so he's planing and facing the mahogany for me and delivering it all, as well. That gives me a couple days to get a wall spot cleared for the wood, and to get some epoxy and glassing practice on some scrap I've put together.