Pond box restoration

mike braden

mike braden

Well-known member
Jimmy gave this pond box to my son Kyle and asked him to do a restoration to put it into the Tuckerton Decoy show in September.

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It was in obvious need of some repairs.

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I asked my neighbor Joe to give us a hand since he is pretty good at building stuff like this.

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Taking some measurements

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First order of business was to cut off the rotted pieces.

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Take some more measurements

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Then brace in some support

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Epoxy and nail the back

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While the back was curing, Kyle got to work on the bottom

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You can see Joe's step by step progress of the Diesel Duck 44 here http://buildingtheduck.blogspot.com
 
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That's a nice project that gyor son has there. A pond box has been on my to do list fr years but I never seem to get to it. Also, thanks fir the link to your neighbors project. That's quite an undettaking. I keep looking at Sam Devlins "Dunlin 22". I would love to build something like that someday. Luke
 
Way to go Kyle! Glad you found a way to get into the project before the show this year... Jim will be tickled I am sure. Let em know if I can help with any materials, but I suspect your neighbor has all you need! Looking forward to seein it next month.
 
Thanks guys. Kyle has been pretty persistent about doing it. I got the box probably 2 years ago and it was time to start it or get rid of it. Honestly if it weren't for him, I am not sure if it would have ever been started.

My neighbor Joe is a really nice guy and I didn't want to take him away from his BIG project but this is a great change of pace for him. He actually has some pretty deep roots in the decoys and sneak boxes even though he doesn't hunt. Sammy Hunt was a very close family friend.

Hopefully Kyle can have it done in show condition and maybe an "honorable mention" ribbon????
 
Here is Kyle sanding the wood before we add some fiberglass.

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Kyle is helping to make a template for the bottom of the box. A partial floor is being added for strength and cosmetic reasons.

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Kyle adding the fiberglass

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More sanding


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Sides were reinforced with additional luan.

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Epoxy being added to the floor before the additional luan is added.

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Now we wait while the floor dries


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Kyle sanding down the wood that will be usedfor the blind cover frame. I LOVE THE SMELL OF CEDAR!!!


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Mike, what kinda project do you have going in the first two pics behind Kyle? Is that a huge laminated keel???? Anyway, good job Kyle.

Trip
 
Trip

Check the third pic down in the original post. That is my neighbor's 44' Diesel Duck. At the end of the original post is a link to his Blog. That boat is awesome. I can't believe that he took on a project like that for his FIRST boat but he's a smart guy and he is doing an incredible job. I needed him for this little old pond box and he is building Noah's Ark.
 
Some pics of my neighbor Joe's boat. This is the kitchen area and through the door is the shower and head plus additional sleeping area

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Thia is the master sleeping area. Cabinets are being installed to the left

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Gas tanks are installed

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Top of deck looking towards the bow

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Stern where the prop shaft will come out

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This thing is huge. That keel will break glaciers!!!

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Anyone have a good lead for bronze hinges for the pond box. I am making a blind system that will have a hinge in the front to allow the blind to be raised up and down towards the rear which will give some concealment.
 
Mike, my first stop is always eBay, especially for vintage bronze hardware. I just got a really cool vintage set of oarlocks for my sculling oar set-up for the BBSB. Though for this application, maybe just some SS? The bronze will be classic, but when painted and grassed, not seen?
 
Dave

I stopped by West Marine and found some brackets that will do. I'll spare you my crude explanation and just post some pics this weekend. I hate going to West Marine b/c they charge you $42 for a screw but I am happy with what I purchased and managed to get out for under $70 with several additional purchases.

They had some bronze oar locks for like 7 dollars though on clearance. Let me know if you might be interested as I can go back and take a pic and send to you.
 
Mike, thanks for thinking of me, but I think I have enough oarlocks at this time. I have 2 sets in the drawer, and just this week got anothe unique set that will be used for my sculling oar set up on the BBSB. I am amassing a real collection of vintage boat bits!
 
Did you decide what you are doing for Tuckerton? Is Maria coming with you? What day are you heading up? I'd like to bring you to neighbor Joe's to show you the 2012 version of Noah's ark.
 
I started reading this thread from the bottom and got to the first set of construction pics, and thought "Wow, that is one BIG pond box!" haha.
 
Mike, Maria is coming along, we have a hotel booked, the North Shore Inn, out on the island. Headed up around noon on Friday so I can get the sneakbox set up in the park. Be there all weekend, though maybe a trip to see the neigbors boat would fit better around a weekend hunt ;)

See you next weekend!
 
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