BBSB Pond Box Build

[Dave Diefenderfer]

Brought it out into the light for a look.


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As mentioned previously, I'm a rookie dodger maker. I wanted to see if I could make one large enough for Gunner to sit on the foredeck, so it's intentionally wider than the cockpit. My feeling is that the first laminated hoop turned out a little big for the boat, even if it's trimmed a bit.

This is my jig for laminating. The nails are spaced along a 15" radius.

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I didn't take a picture, but I cut five 1/8" strips out of 3/4" mahogany. Any time I glue up with epoxy, I use painters plastic to avoid unwanted bonds. The epoxy just plain doesn't stick to it at all. This is the glued and clamped view. I spread the plastic so it's between the glued piece and the clamps, again avoiding problems.

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This is the hoop hanging over the boat for inspection. Looks too big, I'll make another today. All it takes to change the jig is to mark a new radius and move the nails. Easy peasy.

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I built a pair of oarlock holders. These are oak, the walnut I have left is too small. They're ready to install, the flush hardware is now inletted and fastened and holes drilled for bolts and drainage. I am, however, not sure they'll be used until I see how the dodger turns out. They may not be usable with grassed canvas to the stern.

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If you let the oar lock socket, I suggest you bore all the way through to ensure a drain.

 

[SJ Fairbank]

If you let the oar lock socket, I suggest you bore all the way through to ensure a drain.

Good idea to point that out. I always do it, and the oarlock holder is shaped the way it is to allow flow through of the deck wash and relieve the drain hole. The photo was taken before the hardware and all the holes were drilled.

 

[Capt Rich Geminski]

Really like the group discussions here and all the helping hands.

 

[Steve Sanford]

Good idea to point that out. I always do it, and the oarlock holder is shaped the way it is to allow flow through of the deck wash and relieve the drain hole. The photo was taken before the hardware and all the holes were drilled.

Gents~

Yup.....allows deck wash, saves weight, drains sockets....



Such details aside - those portraits stopped this old heart for a beat - truly gorgeous!

All the best,

SJS

 

[SJ Fairbank]

Gents~

Yup.....allows deck wash, saves weight, drains sockets....

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Such details aside - those portraits stopped this old heart for a beat - truly gorgeous!

All the best,

SJS

So, just curious. I think you said you prefer to row facing forward. I'm the opposite. The curiosity comes in regarding your photo, which way is forward on that scooter? Our boats had the spray shield forward.

 

[Steve Sanford]

So, just curious. I think you said you prefer to row facing forward. I'm the opposite. The curiosity comes in regarding your photo, which way is forward on that scooter? Our boats had the spray shield forward.

SJ~

No, I always face the stern. It's my understanding, however, that traditional Barnegat Bay Sneakboxes were rowed facing forward. I will let Capt. Keeney illuminate.

We on Great South Bay (almost everybody) also shoot over the stern. The spray shield in my photo is on the foredeck.

All the best,

SJS

 

[SJ Fairbank]

SJ~

No, I always face the stern. It's my understanding, however, that traditional Barnegat Bay Sneakboxes were rowed facing forward. I will let Capt. Keeney illuminate.

We on Great South Bay (almost everybody) also shoot over the stern. The spray shield in my photo is on the foredeck.

All the best,

SJS

It must be a regional thing. All of our boats were rowed and gunned facing over the stern. I've tried to row a sneakbox facing forward and it just feels wrong, but to each his own.

As a point of interest, when we were young kids (8 on up) exploring alone in a boat, we weren't normally allowed outboards. My father and grandfather had a saying "If you can row, you can go". It was clear that we were never to go so far that we needed assistance to get back, or that was it for solo boating. I rowed six miles each way to fishing spots many, many times. Some boats such as sneakboxes are a joy to row. Others, such as locally made plywood skiffs, not so much. You learn a bit about playing the tides, too. FWIW, blowboating was never an approved method so I can't sail worth a darn. One jib ho and I get whacked in the head.