A little head way on my float

[Andy Grant]

I managed to cut out the frames and ribs. Then temporarily tack them in in place. Now I am just waiting to have enough time to mix up some epoxy to glue and glass them permanently. The centers of the rear braces will be cut out eventually. I will be using cedar strips to form the deck over the inner frames. I am going for a two-man Newburyport style float.

Should I totally close off the front compartments or vent/open them?

 

[Ed L.]

That's looking pretty neat Andy. About venting, I was looking at a local boat builders sculler up here a couple of years ago that was for sale. You may have heard the name Ralph Thompson before there's a couple of pictures of his boats in the out of date boat section. Anyway it had a vertical crack in the fiberglass in the bow from the bottom to the upper deck. Knowing that Dave Larsen knew how the boats were built I called him and asked about what he knew about the structure. The boats were strip built on the hull and ply on the deck. Dave told me, if I remember right (and he may have to chime in to correct me) that the the bows being so long and narrow would sometimes retain moisture depending on how they were stored. The moisture and varying temps cause the wood to expand and contract and eventually rot. I think with you sculler you'd want to be able to get some air up in the bow. Also I'd be asking the guys on the sculler site this question too.

Ed L.

 

[Mike]

Andy,
Looking real good. Just a thought..... maybe those saw horses should be a little beefier. Would be a shame to let her take a spill.
Best, Mike

 

[Don Shearer]

Andy,

Nice looking boat. I have no answer to your question, but I would like to get a look at your boat.

My best,

Don Shearer

 

[Andy Grant]

I have my real sawhorses at a house project. These aren't as tippy as they look though. The whole boat weighs less that 50 pounds right now anyway.

Don, you can come on over anytime. Just let me know next time you are in Moscow. I am about 5 miles out of town.