A skin on frame BBSB

[Jeff P]

I've been working on a skin on frame rendition of a BBSB with my brother this summer. Of course since we both have busy schedules him with a reno and me with work, progress has been slow. Here's a few pictures though to get people's ideas on it and maybe motivate me to finish.

First, a couple to show the lines:

Then the basic 3 point shape draped with the hull fabric:

All the pattern pieces in:

And how it sits now:

My next steps are to figure out a change at the bow, since I'm not enjoying the way it comes together right now. Figure out the decking and hatch. Finalize the patterns, cut them free and use them to cut out my final frames from 12mm birch. Once I've got it all sorted to my liking and have tested the craft I'll post a table of offsets and bill of materials so others can replicate it.

J

 

[Carl]

Interesting, not sure we have seen this approach to a boat build on the DHBP before. Please keep us up to date on progress!

 

[Jeff P]

Well, I'm new to it too. I've done lots of reading on it, but the kayaks that it's usually used for don't quite appeal to me. A BBSB sure does though. If it works well, I'd love to see some other builds, and maybe other designs along the same lines. My big worry is it'll be too light with a projected finished weight of 60 pounds. On the other hand, that weight could let me get into spots I otherwise couldn't.

At the end of the day, we'll see. I'd be happy to hear any comments people have on it though.

J

 

[Steve Sanford]

Good morning, Jeff~

I have read a little bit about skin-on-frame construction - but have never actually seen or used such a vessel. I imagine many of us are wondering the same thing: How tough is that skin for gunning conditions? Do I recall correctly that the skin is Dacron?

Is the design yours - or are you basing the lines on another/existing Sneakbox?

Are the longitudinals aircraft Spruce?

I am certainly looking forward to your continued progress!

All the best,

SJS

 

[Jeff P]

Good morning Steven, I'd been hoping to hear from you.

The durability from the one craft I've seen first hand, and from videos like this https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gYyvIExWkqU seems to be quite good. I've got 10oz Dacron to skin with, and a tropical hardwood with a self refreshing resinous wood for keel and runners. My gunning areas are slough and fen, so most of the damage should be abrasions.

The original design is the Zack Taylor widgeon, which I modified for skin on frame construction. I think I held too close to his plans at the nose though, which I've come to think is a compromise he had to take since he was working with solid panels on the widgeon. I'd like to bring the keel down somewhat at the nose to have it more sharply defined.

The longitudinals are straight and clear pine, which was the best cost/availability/quality compromise I could come up with. Of course 2 weeks after I bought it and started using it, I was travelling for work through a small town that had a lumber store with a sale on Alaskan yellow cedar.

Today will be either refining the nose, or shooting clays with my brother, so if I post about the new nose, you'll know which happened.

Have a great day, and thanks for all the sneakbox knowledge I've already gotten from you.

J

 

[Geoff Pike]

I did a Yostwerks kayak skin on frame a couple years ago, and was surprised by the rigidity once it was all together. The nylon and coating is a lot stronger than I thought it would be as well. I am SLOWLY putting together a Widgeon now, so it's interesting so see your combination.
Do you know how you are going to coat/seal it yet?

 

[Jeff P]

I'm thinking I'll do this with paint and see how it holds up. If I don't like how it works I can always go to something more exotic later.

 

[Rick L]

my experience with canvas is canoe, but sealing the canvas prior to paint was the norm

wonder if its needed for dacron

 

[Jeff P]

From what I've read, sealing isn't required. The paint and fabric form a waterproof membrane. On traditional canvas canoes with a solid structure backing the fabric, sealing is required. Of course Dacron doesn't wick water as well as canvas will either.

J