I started on the next project this weekend. Moved a Kalash layout boat into the boat shop/tent, and set it on the sneakbox cradle after taking some pictures. Some history.... correct me if I get anything wrong Rufus. This layout is owned by Rufus Brinn, who had it built new for him while he was at West Point. Throughout his military career, the boat has been moved and stored all along the way. This layout is some 30 years old, and apparently has not ever been hunted! Rufus has finally assembled a posse, and a decoy collection sufficient to do an honest job of doing some layout hunting.
When I looked at the layout it was apparent to me that without doing some work, it could be hunted as is, but would not last more than a season or 2. The wood is extremely dry and the paint and glass tape on the seams is peeling up. It would float, but would not be water tight. I convinced Rufus, that a coat of paint was not sufficient, and we should hold off a season while we did the work correctly.
The plan is to strip off the paint, and any loose glass. Paint the hull with epoxy, to firm up the soft spots, fill with thickened epoxy were needed, then glass the hull top and bottom. Since we don't have a tender large enough yet to carry the layout in the boat, we will likely tow it. We also will not have to go more than a couple miles from the ramp. My plan is to mount towing mounts below the deck, so that we will lift the bow (really the stern). I think some ipe runners along the bottom edges on the port and starboard both to protect the edges, but also to offer some better hand hold when lifting along the sides. A ipe skeg will be attached to the bottom as well to help it track when being towed.
When I looked at the layout it was apparent to me that without doing some work, it could be hunted as is, but would not last more than a season or 2. The wood is extremely dry and the paint and glass tape on the seams is peeling up. It would float, but would not be water tight. I convinced Rufus, that a coat of paint was not sufficient, and we should hold off a season while we did the work correctly.
The plan is to strip off the paint, and any loose glass. Paint the hull with epoxy, to firm up the soft spots, fill with thickened epoxy were needed, then glass the hull top and bottom. Since we don't have a tender large enough yet to carry the layout in the boat, we will likely tow it. We also will not have to go more than a couple miles from the ramp. My plan is to mount towing mounts below the deck, so that we will lift the bow (really the stern). I think some ipe runners along the bottom edges on the port and starboard both to protect the edges, but also to offer some better hand hold when lifting along the sides. A ipe skeg will be attached to the bottom as well to help it track when being towed.
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