Take your time when you lay the tape

Reinforced Stringers 1
Originally uploaded by OzzyC.

Its best to take your time when you set the fiberglass tape on the joints. If you fail to adequately saturate the tape with epoxy, or if you fail to adequately set the tape onto the wood, the tape wont bond well to the wood, as shown in this picture.

Its really not a big deal to correct this problem; all we had to do was cut away the tape that didnt bond to the wood, feather the edges and lay down another piece of saturated tape... but it would have been nice to have gotten it right the first time.

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An Afternoon at Sarles Marina and Annapolis Classic Watercraft

Inside the wooden boat shop at Annapolis Classic Watercraft the participants view the latest restoration project

Mr. George instr1ucts Jaquan on the proper use of a Japanese saw. A tool that will be used often in the construction of the Peace Canoe.
Viewing for the first time, a Peace Canoe from Chesapeake Lightcraft

A cool afternoon was spent at Sarles Marina where Mr. George introduce 5 of the participants in the boat building project to the Peace Canoe and many tools they will use through construction.
He specified the need for safety and then let all interested try out the Japanese saw. Finally, it was time to go into the wooden boat shop and warm up. While inside, owner Bill Donahue, showed the kids around and talked greatly about the restoration process from beginning to end.

This is what Jaquan thought about the afternoon, " I think it was very educational, because we learned about the tools well be using to build our Peace Canoe. I got to use the Japanese saw and I found it easy."

"We had so much fun as we were part of a demonstration that showed us how to use a Japanese saw," stated Maurice.

The Annapolis Maritime Museum and Box of Rain Foundation are thrilled to have George Smith leading this initiative. George shares a couple of his thoughts on the program. "Youth boat-building programs are about taking it to a new level. We want to see tools in our hands as we learn, build, and have fun, leading to life-tools of ingenuity and team work." George has enjoyed meeting participants of the program at both the SERC and Sarles afternoons, he believes there is a lot of potential in the group.

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Day 2 began at 10 30 AM and ended at 3 30 with a lunch break of course

Today, I laid out the bottom panels on both sheets one and two and cut out the plywood for frames 2, 4, and 9
??

batten in place and lines marked for cutting.

All the lines that were marked were cut out with the circular saw.  I find it best not to set the saw too deep.

saw is set to cut no more than 1.5 teeth deep.

???? ??The next step involves cutting out one half and using it as a template for the other half.  After cutting the lines are faired up with a small block plane and a Stanley surform.  This makes short work of it and keeps the operator warm on a winters day (its 20 degrees Farenheit today). 

The same process is used on the next piece of plywood to get out the forward halves of the bottom. 

One more piece of plywood left.  We start by ripping it down the middle and marking our straight edges from which we will be measuring.    From this piece we will get the sides, the transom, and one half of frame 6.   I will cut these out next weekend if time allows. 

panels in the workshop waiting for the sides to join them.  It is much warmer in here and thus better for gluing.

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A Wonderful Paddle at SERC!

On Saturday, November 1, 2008. 11 Participants in the Boat Building by the Bay project traveled over to Edgewater to visit the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center for a wonderful afternoon of canoeing on the Rhodes River. Under the leadership of Karen McDonald and George Smith the participants learned paddling/steering techniques,about the wildlife in the area, history of the canoe, and what happens at SERC.
The weather was picture perfect and this is what some of the participants had to say about the day:

I learned about water animals. ~Tiant age 12

I went canoeing and sat in the back of the boat. I had to stick my oar into the water to steer. ~ Mauricus age 13

SERC is a water research center that studies wildlife. ~Maurice age 15

The water appeared dirty, because it was very dirty in the Rhode River. ~ Mekhi age 10

I had fun learning how to canoe. ~ Kenan age 9

I love going canoeing. Im excited to go to Sarles to learn how to build a boat. ~Jaquan age12

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Home at last

A short haul to the garage. (Note: the boat is easier to carry than the canoe!) and it is not on saw horses awaiting a nice day to apply and squeegee on epoxy. 

A couple of views.  The lawn mower is now in the spot the snow blower was in previously. 

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An Invitation to look at my Other Blog

This blog about the houseboat isnt my only blog. If youre interested in seeing my other blog, which discusses about everything except this project, go to my other blog.

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