Flapjack launching

Well I just want to let you all know that the Flapjack was launched on June 20, at about 9:30 A.M. Pacific time (last day of Spring or first day of Summer, I’m not sure). The pictures that I posted do not show the detail I would like, but I want to share what I have. I still need to build the mast, sprit, and rudder, order the sail, and rig her, but she won’t sail until next spring. I promise that I will post better pictures (shot with a real digital camera) by then. I have to say that if she sails like she rows I picked a winning design. I am surprised that there has not been more written about this boat! Steve Redmond seems to have gotten it right and I would recommend this boat to anyone considering a 14’ rowing and sailing (although I can’t speak with authority on her sailing qualities yet) skiff. I rowed her about two and one half miles. She carries way well and is more stable that I thought she would be and tracks like she is on rails. With plans from Redmond and Thomas Hills book “Ultralight Boatbuilding”, she was a pleasure to build. This novice is thoroughly hooked. Until now I have only built one other boat, a kayak, but I will definitely build others. I would like to thank everyone who posts on this site for the inspiration (direct and indirect) I received throughout this project. I will continue to monitor this site and will look forward to offering what I can. I am proud to be a member of the boatbuilding community and can think of few activities that have been more fulfilling and enjoyable than “messing about in boats.”


Yours truly,

Winks

Question: gearbox for boats

Hello to all out there.My name is rikus veuger,original from holland but now  living in bandung,indonesia.

I also want to build my own wooden boat and I am looking for many information by reading books and looking on the net.

But some questions I cant seem to get an answere for.So I try out here on this group.

 

It is maybe silly to ask but I am just curious to know why in a boat there is not a automatic gearbox.I ask this becouse I want to build a speedboat and I know that it take a lot of power to speed up the boat until it has

a surtain speed and start to get in plane.

Then you can lower the rpm of the engine but keep the speed.I thougt by using a gearbox the rpm can lower again,saving fuel and give more comfort.

 

My other question is about the angle of the shaft of the propellor.If the shaft and engine are on a angle it seems to me that, becouse of the direction of propellor power, the nose of the boat is lifted and the back is more down into the water.What is the use of that?

Is it not better to use a horizontal propellor,like a saildrive.It will give much more efficienty and it will be more pleasant to sit in when at lower speed becouse the boat stay horizontal. 

 

I hope some one can give me some clear answere to one of my ,probebly silly,questions.

 

All the best

 

Rikus Veuger

 

By the way.I am a trader in East Indian Rosewood,so if anybody needs some timber I can help you to get this great wood,almost any size or quantity.

Paint Question

Any suggestions/comments on using good quality house paint (probably semi-gloss) for the interior of my daysailer?  It is a partially open boat.  I work for a hardware store where I can get a discount on house paints and with finances the way they are, the price of house paint versus topside marine paint makes it an attractive alternative...

 

 I will also check with the sporting goods manager to see what kind of marine paint they could purchase for me.  Problem is we normally have to order whole cases, which could either be 2 or 4 gallons or 4 or 6 quarts...

 

Which ever way I end up going, I will probably apply it with a sprayer...

 

Andy

 

 

Flapjack progress

Well, I had grand plans to show pix of the launching this week. Unfortunatly, I had to put my truck in the shop for a transmision(sic) rebuild. She is on the trailor and ready to go though. I am very pleased with the way she turned out and I look forward to seeing how she handles under oars. I will start building the sailing rig this Fall, but I want to get some rowing in this year. I will have some pix of the Flapjack on the trailor within the next few days but the launching has been moved back about two weeks. I look forward to hearing about all of your progress on your various projects.

Winks

Hello Everyone

It been awhile of course.

I lost my log in name and all. Til one day I was diggin' in pile of notes.

I found this message board is being active, so there is a lot news to catch up on..

 

New Canoe -

I am considering what I want to build for keeps, minding I need to keep weight to <100 lbs, and carrying capicity at least 350, for day trips on calm waters.

 

I am considering about 15 ft OAL, 24" at widest on bottom, with length on bottom of 14 ft, any where from 12/14" deep on sides. I'd rather do the single panel sides (pirogue) for simplicity but could do multipanel sides. I have considered the D/K touring from GEM, but that means I'd have to build it outside a climate controlled enviroment, if I stay at about 15 I can build it in my cooled/heated shop and get it downstairs when done.

I am trying to decide weather to stick with stitch and glue, with glass tape, and paint. Or glued chine and brads.

 

I'm wondering if a brad nailer/cedar chines/glue/ external fiberglass tape and paint wouild be easier or harder than stitch and glue

 

I have any wood working tools and skills necessary, If I go stitch and glue, I'd go with 3m marine or something equil for glue, and fiberglass tape on the external seams,

 

I really dont want to get into mixing epoxy, what little I have done with epoxy in the past has not worked out well for me.

 

There will be no hurry on the project, so I want to build something that will last with proper care.

 

Any Input or advise will be appreciated.

Hey Kruez!

Kruez, what have you been up to in your life, we haven't really heard much from you in several months.  I am sure I speak for all of us when I respectfully ask if everything is going well with you?

 

Are you  working on any projects right now?

 

Your friend, Andy

Flajack progress and....

Hi everyone. Just wanted to see what is going on. There hasn’t been a lot of activity on this forum for several weeks. If you are like me you have probably been trying to get ready for the water when the weather gets good. I just thought I would give a quick update on the “Flapjack’s” progress. I will post a picture or two later this evening. All of the parts, cleats, mast step, oarlock blocks, etc. have been made. I still need to finish forming the outer stem, oil the homemade jam cleats, and install the other parts, seats etc, but the painting is almost done. With any luck I should have her in the water in about two weeks. It is difficult to know when to quit. I have to keep reminding myself that I built this boat to use, not to show, but I seem to be tempted to want to give her one more coat of paint, one more coat of varnish would look good, maybe if I made a few more cleats they would be more uniform. But good weather seems to be here to stay in Northern California. The water is calling. I have decided that there will be time next fall or winter for improvements. This is comforting because I will not be able to afford another building project for a while. Besides, I still need to make a mast, order a sprit sail, etc. so I can sail her as well as row. I have heard it said that a boat is a bottomless hole in which to pour money (and time). Well, I don’t know about everyone else, but I have spent money (and time) on much less worthwhile endeavors. Good luck on your projects. I look forward to seeing your progress, but for now I need to go. I have another coat of paint to apply and………



Winks