New project.

Well, it's been a long time since I posted anything here.  I donated the bateau to a charity auction a couple years ago.  Also moved to a different town, different job.

But, there's a new project now.

1975 Harvey dory.  These were made in Oregon for beach launch fishing at Pacific City.  All projects need a problem statement.  Here's mine.  If you own a boat with a balsa core floor, do not drill holes through the damned floor.  If you do that, you create goo.  Then a guy like me has to go in and gut/replace.  Ok, but that damage was the only reason I could afford the boat too.  Currently stripping floors out and researching replacement cores.  Balsa is still an option.  Foam is too.  Plastic honeycomb may be the current front runner.

Finally launched

Finally got time to make a set of oars and launch the boat.  The oars turned out nice.  They're 9ft, with a nice taper, and they work well.

Wish I could say I'm as happy with the boat itself.  It's VERY tender.  I took the wife and daughter on the maiden voyage.  We rowed around for 15 minutes or so, then quit.  Besides being extremely tippy (to my eyes anyway), the oar blocks are too low for comfortable rowing.  I can't sit with my knees up and still row.  Have to stretch my legs straight out from the bench to be able to row, and that's a pain (literally...it hurts).  Either need to build a taller oar lock block, or may use an extended oar lock.  That's if I decide I can tolerate the tenderness, and right now, I'd have to say that's unlikely.



I still like the boat and am happy how it turned out, but being realistic, I don't think I'll be using it much, unless I can figure a way to deal with the feeling of instability.  Definitely tough to use as a family boat, even if I do get used to it myself. 

So, it may be going up for sale soon......



Finis

Boat is now done!

No pictures because they would be indistinguishable from the last ones. 

I will get some pics of the launch day when it happens.  Thinking about doing it on Earth Day, since the boat is about 75% recycled materials anyway, but not sure I can get enough time with the family to do it then, and I want to do a family launching. 

Now I have to think of a name....something with 'deck' in it would be appropriate given that the timber is largely reused decking.  Maybe Poop Deck or something....


More to come on launch day!!!!

Nearly done

Lots of stuff since the last update.  I've been terrible about pictures on it though. 

Boat has been flipped, seams taped and glassed, sanded several times, coated with white polyurethane.  False stems and keel strip were varnished and attached.  Boat was righted again, and varnished on the interior.  Still a couple coats to go.

Davis oarlocks are on order and should be here Wednesday.  After they get here, I'll finish the oarlock pads and install the oarlocks.  Then a bit of cleaning up on the trailer and this boat is DONE.  Feels good to be so close now.

Looks like the trailer is going to work fine!

On to sanding, filling, sanding, sanding, fiberglassing, sanding, sanding, and painting.

Been hard to get much done lately.  THis is one of the rainiest months we've had here in a long time, and work's been a b&^*$ to boot.  Frustrating to have work interfere with your one major form of stress relief from work.....anyway....

Gunwale trim is in, and I've started applying an interior finish.  The first coats are a mix of BLO, spar varnish, turpentine, and a little tung oil, along with some japan drier to set it off.  Looks pretty good.  My plan is to cover the oil base with straight satin varnish, and gloss varnish for the seats and rails.  Outside will be all white paint.

 

 

The gunwales turned out OK.  This shot shows the cover strips I put in my last post.  The are now glued in and smoothed into the outwales.  

Next up is moving into the garage to begin finishing off the exterior.  I plan to go over all the seams with fiberglass tape.  Then I'll move to paint.  Then the bottom rub strips willl go on.  Then some oarlock pads, and finally, the last coats of varnish will have it finished.