Surf's Up
Inspired by a friend's desire to learn how to sail, I started
building a Surf, this weekend. She'll be christened the "Betsy Ross",
in honor of the beginning sailor's, Liz Ross West, direct ancestor.
The color scheme will be dark blue hull, white cove stripe, and red
bottom paint. I'm going to paint two small U.S. flags on the bow, to
serve as oculi.
I got a late start on Saturday, due to helping a friend move, and
walking another's dog. By 5:00 pm Sunday, I had the sides cut out,
all the bulkheads cut, and the transom and one bulkhead framed. All
the frames have been beveled, and the stem is finished. I just need
to cut the chines and gunwales, and I can continue nailing.
I'm trying two new things. The first is going clampless. I've been
using drywall screws, instead. So far, they work great, helped by my
new Ryobi cordless drill. The second thing I'm trying is Titebond
waterproof glue. I've built a number of Instant boats with Weldwood
plastic resin glue, and liked it. However, I can't find it here, in
Annapolis, Md. I did find some on Jamestown Distr. website, this
morning, but it was too late. Are there any opinions out there on
Titebond?
Contrary to many list members' experiences, I had no trouble
finding good wood. I got 4 sheets of Luan ply at Home Depot for $9.47
ea., and plenty of nice, clearish (small, tight knots) No. 2 pine for
framing. Home Depot is a good place to pick through the piles. Nobody
seems to care how much you dig, especially at midnight (they're open
24 hrs. around here). Of course, I stacked everything back neatly.
I'm making one modification. I'm going to make the mast a heavier
spar in order to stand up to a halyard. I tried the no halyard route
on my other Surf, and hated it (I've since put in a balanced lug
rig). I want my student to learn how to reef, cleat a line properly,
and adjust halyard and outhaul tension for the breeze.
I'll keep everyone posted on my progress. I think the Surf is a
neglected design. More people should be building her. I don't
understand why some guys like June Bug so much. Surf is easier to
build, uses less material, and sail like a witch!
I hope everyone is having as much fun building their boats as I am!
Take care,
Pete Reynolds
building a Surf, this weekend. She'll be christened the "Betsy Ross",
in honor of the beginning sailor's, Liz Ross West, direct ancestor.
The color scheme will be dark blue hull, white cove stripe, and red
bottom paint. I'm going to paint two small U.S. flags on the bow, to
serve as oculi.
I got a late start on Saturday, due to helping a friend move, and
walking another's dog. By 5:00 pm Sunday, I had the sides cut out,
all the bulkheads cut, and the transom and one bulkhead framed. All
the frames have been beveled, and the stem is finished. I just need
to cut the chines and gunwales, and I can continue nailing.
I'm trying two new things. The first is going clampless. I've been
using drywall screws, instead. So far, they work great, helped by my
new Ryobi cordless drill. The second thing I'm trying is Titebond
waterproof glue. I've built a number of Instant boats with Weldwood
plastic resin glue, and liked it. However, I can't find it here, in
Annapolis, Md. I did find some on Jamestown Distr. website, this
morning, but it was too late. Are there any opinions out there on
Titebond?
Contrary to many list members' experiences, I had no trouble
finding good wood. I got 4 sheets of Luan ply at Home Depot for $9.47
ea., and plenty of nice, clearish (small, tight knots) No. 2 pine for
framing. Home Depot is a good place to pick through the piles. Nobody
seems to care how much you dig, especially at midnight (they're open
24 hrs. around here). Of course, I stacked everything back neatly.
I'm making one modification. I'm going to make the mast a heavier
spar in order to stand up to a halyard. I tried the no halyard route
on my other Surf, and hated it (I've since put in a balanced lug
rig). I want my student to learn how to reef, cleat a line properly,
and adjust halyard and outhaul tension for the breeze.
I'll keep everyone posted on my progress. I think the Surf is a
neglected design. More people should be building her. I don't
understand why some guys like June Bug so much. Surf is easier to
build, uses less material, and sail like a witch!
I hope everyone is having as much fun building their boats as I am!
Take care,
Pete Reynolds