Re: Birdwatcher II
David -
thanks for the advice, and encouragement.
I finally had a couple of hours to sit with the plans, scale rule,
and building key and had some fun just figuring out how it all goes
together.
Having built Micro, the sequence appears to be similar without the
bother of the lead keel assembly. I am sure putting the 109lb board
in place will be no easy task, but I plan to employ slave labor here
(14 year old son).
The mast does appear to be as Bruce described as having the tapered
plug on the top 6' of mast. This appears to be the most challenging
carpentry. I may do up a birdsmouth or go with the standard box spar
as described in Chapelle's book. I am tempted to rabbet out some
2x4's glue them up, taper, and plug em' but I can see where the
orientation of the wood in the 4 sided box will add strength while
reducing weight aloft.
The good news is that it really is built in a sort of instant boat
fashion. (and my basement is exactly 25' long with huge removeable
bay windows!
DAvid Jost
thanks for the advice, and encouragement.
I finally had a couple of hours to sit with the plans, scale rule,
and building key and had some fun just figuring out how it all goes
together.
Having built Micro, the sequence appears to be similar without the
bother of the lead keel assembly. I am sure putting the 109lb board
in place will be no easy task, but I plan to employ slave labor here
(14 year old son).
The mast does appear to be as Bruce described as having the tapered
plug on the top 6' of mast. This appears to be the most challenging
carpentry. I may do up a birdsmouth or go with the standard box spar
as described in Chapelle's book. I am tempted to rabbet out some
2x4's glue them up, taper, and plug em' but I can see where the
orientation of the wood in the 4 sided box will add strength while
reducing weight aloft.
The good news is that it really is built in a sort of instant boat
fashion. (and my basement is exactly 25' long with huge removeable
bay windows!
DAvid Jost
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "dnjost" <davidjost@...> wrote:
When I receieved my BW2 plans,I found it very helpful to go through
the key and refer to the plans sheets at the same time, several times
over before doing anything. Since there is no "building sequence" per
se, I thought I'd offer my 2 cents on what worked and what I'd do
differently "next time".
I laid out my side panels with butt blocks and installed all interior
framing while flat on the floor. I then flipped the panels and
preglassed using Garth Batista's technique(see Jim Michalak's web
page, back issues) of rolling a plasitc film on top of the wet
epoxy/glass.He used Mylar and got an almost mirror finish. I used
sheet plastic and got a very smooth surface that reduced my fairing to
almost nothing. If you're using top quality materials, like Bob Larkin
is, you may want to skip the exterior glass on the topsides.I used ACX
ply. These things worked well.
I also pre-cut the motor cut-out on the starboard side while the
panels were flat.Seemed like a good idea at the time. This resulted in
an unfair bend in that area when the sides were sprung around the
frames. It took some wrestling to correct, and I'd wait until the hull
is together and perhaps the deck is on before cutting it out "next time".
After the sides were on the frames I laminated the sheer clamps and
chine logs. I cut my chine logs flush with the inner stem and stern
posts, before I added the exterior stem and stern caps. Because of
aesthetics and perhaps strength, I'd let the chine logs flow into the
exterior pieces "next time", like Bob Larkin did.
The plans are vague about the sheer clamp/window transition to the aft
deck, but Bob seems to have figured it out quite nicely. I'm not that
far yet.
Finally, if I were to do it again I would take Bruce's advice and
build a model first.........like Bob did!
Bottom line, build like Bob Larkin. He's thoughtful and meticulous in
building, and generous and kind with advice.
My pics are in bolger4photos.
Best wishes in your building adventure,
David Lipsey
>Hi David,
> Ok -
>
> It does include a commentary that outlines the thought process behind
> the design and what it hopes to accomplish. a well detailed building
> key. and 5 sheets of blueprints in both metric and
> Dodecametric/fractional system (feet/inches/eighths) ;-)
When I receieved my BW2 plans,I found it very helpful to go through
the key and refer to the plans sheets at the same time, several times
over before doing anything. Since there is no "building sequence" per
se, I thought I'd offer my 2 cents on what worked and what I'd do
differently "next time".
I laid out my side panels with butt blocks and installed all interior
framing while flat on the floor. I then flipped the panels and
preglassed using Garth Batista's technique(see Jim Michalak's web
page, back issues) of rolling a plasitc film on top of the wet
epoxy/glass.He used Mylar and got an almost mirror finish. I used
sheet plastic and got a very smooth surface that reduced my fairing to
almost nothing. If you're using top quality materials, like Bob Larkin
is, you may want to skip the exterior glass on the topsides.I used ACX
ply. These things worked well.
I also pre-cut the motor cut-out on the starboard side while the
panels were flat.Seemed like a good idea at the time. This resulted in
an unfair bend in that area when the sides were sprung around the
frames. It took some wrestling to correct, and I'd wait until the hull
is together and perhaps the deck is on before cutting it out "next time".
After the sides were on the frames I laminated the sheer clamps and
chine logs. I cut my chine logs flush with the inner stem and stern
posts, before I added the exterior stem and stern caps. Because of
aesthetics and perhaps strength, I'd let the chine logs flow into the
exterior pieces "next time", like Bob Larkin did.
The plans are vague about the sheer clamp/window transition to the aft
deck, but Bob seems to have figured it out quite nicely. I'm not that
far yet.
Finally, if I were to do it again I would take Bruce's advice and
build a model first.........like Bob did!
Bottom line, build like Bob Larkin. He's thoughtful and meticulous in
building, and generous and kind with advice.
My pics are in bolger4photos.
Best wishes in your building adventure,
David Lipsey
John -
That about sums it up...the puzzler. It appears to be series of
concentric box spars that are glued one inside the other and then
faired smooth. Will investigate a little bit on this as I really want
to build to plans and not deviate unless absolutely essential.
I suppose this would allow the use of shorter pieces of good stock and
avoid the hassle of trying to scarf and find straight pieces w/o
blemishes, and result it scarfed sections through the fairing process.
It actually seems reasonable. No need for the expense of sitka spruce!
Bruce's idea of doing a model first is quite rational.
Thanks to all for the support and ideas.
David Jost
That about sums it up...the puzzler. It appears to be series of
concentric box spars that are glued one inside the other and then
faired smooth. Will investigate a little bit on this as I really want
to build to plans and not deviate unless absolutely essential.
I suppose this would allow the use of shorter pieces of good stock and
avoid the hassle of trying to scarf and find straight pieces w/o
blemishes, and result it scarfed sections through the fairing process.
It actually seems reasonable. No need for the expense of sitka spruce!
Bruce's idea of doing a model first is quite rational.
Thanks to all for the support and ideas.
David Jost
----- Original Message -----
From: "dnjost" <davidjost@...>
> The rest is in the details: Mast (haven't
> quite figured that one out yet),
If it's the same mast as as shown on the original BW, the it's a puzzler.
Cutting the long vee's in the center plug is doable, but how are you
supposed to insure those skinny points are glued on the inside of the main
box section?
I'd build either a standard box section or a birdsmouth and be done with it.
> 1st step = materials listA quickie model, made from cardboard, might also be a good first step.
>
> David Jost
Ok -
It does include a commentary that outlines the thought process behind
the design and what it hopes to accomplish. a well detailed building
key. and 5 sheets of blueprints in both metric and
Dodecametric/fractional system (feet/inches/eighths) ;-)
The building method as far as I have figured out is simplistic beyond
belief. Lay out the ply sheets, attach to frames and stem, square up
and put the bottom on. The rest is in the details: Mast (haven't
quite figured that one out yet), Centreboard 109 lbs steel ballast
insert, rudder, sails, etc, lexan windows.
Pretty cool, and well worth the cost of the plans just for the puzzle
solving aspect of the project.
My plan is to attack it little by little, and then build the same
way.
1st step = materials list
David Jost
It does include a commentary that outlines the thought process behind
the design and what it hopes to accomplish. a well detailed building
key. and 5 sheets of blueprints in both metric and
Dodecametric/fractional system (feet/inches/eighths) ;-)
The building method as far as I have figured out is simplistic beyond
belief. Lay out the ply sheets, attach to frames and stem, square up
and put the bottom on. The rest is in the details: Mast (haven't
quite figured that one out yet), Centreboard 109 lbs steel ballast
insert, rudder, sails, etc, lexan windows.
Pretty cool, and well worth the cost of the plans just for the puzzle
solving aspect of the project.
My plan is to attack it little by little, and then build the same
way.
1st step = materials list
David Jost
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "dnjost" <davidjost@...> wrote:
Excellent good news!!! By all means take the time(and materials)
needed to do a first class rendition....it will be a thing of beauty
worth passing on to the kids which you'll never
regret!.Besides,you've had some good practice with a few other
Bolger boats and have thus built yourself out of any further excuses
for "hack jobs":-)
All the best to ya!!
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan,feeling some early signs of Spring already creeping in
along the shores of the St.Lawrence...........
>certain
> So, the plans for Birdwatcher II have arrived...
>
> Next, the master planning. Nervous anticipation has arisen as my
> proximity to Mr. Bolger's residence means that there will be a
> level of boatbuilder accountibility here. A hack job is out ofthe
> question.David,
Excellent good news!!! By all means take the time(and materials)
needed to do a first class rendition....it will be a thing of beauty
worth passing on to the kids which you'll never
regret!.Besides,you've had some good practice with a few other
Bolger boats and have thus built yourself out of any further excuses
for "hack jobs":-)
All the best to ya!!
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan,feeling some early signs of Spring already creeping in
along the shores of the St.Lawrence...........
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Bruce Hallman" <bruce@...> wrote:
17X22 blueprints.
http://www.proaxis.com/~boblark/bw2_main.htm
Nels
>According to Bob Larkin there is a ten page building key and five
> On 3/2/06, dnjost <davidjost@...> wrote:
> > So, the plans for Birdwatcher II have arrived...
> > David Jost
>
> I am intensely curious. Is there a building key, or commentary
> included with the plans?
>
17X22 blueprints.
http://www.proaxis.com/~boblark/bw2_main.htm
Nels
On 3/2/06, dnjost <davidjost@...> wrote:
included with the plans?
> So, the plans for Birdwatcher II have arrived...I am intensely curious. Is there a building key, or commentary
> David Jost
included with the plans?
So, the plans for Birdwatcher II have arrived...
Next, the master planning. Nervous anticipation has arisen as my
proximity to Mr. Bolger's residence means that there will be a certain
level of boatbuilder accountibility here. A hack job is out of the
question.
Maybe if I build it piece by piece off site my wife won't notice the
slowly developing boat hidden beneath the tarp! :-)
This is like Christmas all over again. Now, where did I put that scale
ruler.
Happy Building,
David Jost
Next, the master planning. Nervous anticipation has arisen as my
proximity to Mr. Bolger's residence means that there will be a certain
level of boatbuilder accountibility here. A hack job is out of the
question.
Maybe if I build it piece by piece off site my wife won't notice the
slowly developing boat hidden beneath the tarp! :-)
This is like Christmas all over again. Now, where did I put that scale
ruler.
Happy Building,
David Jost
Dear Group,
I am anxiously waiting for that Birdwatcher II video, but just might
be the one to actually make it and post it.
You see, my saw is cold, the epoxy in storage, and the hammer is
getting lonely. Reading Bill Mason's article in Wooden Boat has
inspired me to seek out to recapture the spirit of Thoreau with low
impact camp/cruising. What better to do this in than Birdwatcher II.
Phil Bolger sent me sketches of the AS 19 and Chebacco, but I really
feel that the promises of dry/relaxed sailing with the improvements in
tiller and centerboard will keep this old dinghy sailor (old sailors
never die, they just get a little dinghy) happy and out of trouble.
I hope to hear from Mr. Bolger soon on my requests for pricing and
comparisons.
Wish me luck.
David Jost
Taxachusetts
I am anxiously waiting for that Birdwatcher II video, but just might
be the one to actually make it and post it.
You see, my saw is cold, the epoxy in storage, and the hammer is
getting lonely. Reading Bill Mason's article in Wooden Boat has
inspired me to seek out to recapture the spirit of Thoreau with low
impact camp/cruising. What better to do this in than Birdwatcher II.
Phil Bolger sent me sketches of the AS 19 and Chebacco, but I really
feel that the promises of dry/relaxed sailing with the improvements in
tiller and centerboard will keep this old dinghy sailor (old sailors
never die, they just get a little dinghy) happy and out of trouble.
I hope to hear from Mr. Bolger soon on my requests for pricing and
comparisons.
Wish me luck.
David Jost
Taxachusetts