winter wrap up

The blue tarp that I adapted for a winter cover survived one season of very very heavy snowfall.  I will need to make a new one for next year, but hope to build a storage shed (bow shed from Simpson marine).  The boat shows no signs of paint peeling, delamination, and appears to be in pristine shape. 

the tarp was cut about 1 wider than the boat to the shape of the skiff, then folded over and fastened with double sided carpet tape.  That actually worked quite well and the edges held up for the season.  The grommets installed elsewhere were disastrous and I needed to use the push through plastic adapters for tarps. 

I hope to go trout fishing next week and will file a report when the first fish of the season is landed. 

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work skiff

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Mid winter inspection on Bolger Work skiff

Just a little chipping at the transom where the motor clamps on.  Will touch up with sealer and paint in the spring.

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Panel assembly

2 pages of 3" fiberglass tape are laid across each joint. They are offset by an inch to taper across the panel joint. Plastic is put between layers to keep it from sticking.   The clamps provide a little pressure to keep it all flat.



There is a heat lamp hanging above this assembly as it is a little cold in the basement.  I have on hand a gallon of West Resin and slow hardener.  It just involves a little patience and keeping things warm for a few hours. 

Net result was a strong sandable joint.  Will be carefull not to sand too deeply as that would defeat the purpose.  Just enough to "pretty it up" and leave a good surface to apply a light layer of fiberglass cloth to. 
I plan on using strippers cloth on the inside to protect the surface, and going with a 6 oz cloth on the exterior.  This worked well on the Work Skiff and left me with an easily maintained surface that is strong and durable.  I plan on trout fishing from this boat, so a surface that cleans well is essential. 

 

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winter covers

I hope to get a chance to post some photos of this.  but, need some daylight to do so. 

The winter cover (blue poly tarp) is not faring well.  The pitch on the top is not sufficient to shed the snow.  Therefore, I have begun the building of a new storage shed for the craft.  This will double as a buiding area when the weather improves.  I am going to put together a Simpson Bow Shed.  It really does not look too difficult to construct in relationship to actually building a boat, and the raw materials are not bad either using 1X3 strapping and 2X4s primarily. 

Off to the lumberyard.

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