Seaputter

I was looking for a project that both my kids and I would enjoy working on in the afternoons, after work, and on the weekends. Something that, once finished, we could enjoy the fruits of our work.

I had no idea what that project would be. I was thinking about possibly the restoration of an old car or truck or possibly restoring a camper.

I first decided to build a boat when I was visiting the Hoover Dam. There was a boat on display that they had used to locate the site at which the dam was to be built. I saw how it was constructed because the waterproofing had worn off and the bare wood was exposed. I was surprised at how simply the boat was constructed. It was at this point that I decided to build a boat. I had never owned a boat and had only been out on the water a few times with friends in High School. I was definitely in for a challenging learning experience.

I started looking on the internet to get information. After a long search, I decided on a company that was local and had both plans and telephone support. They had many plans to choose from. My only problem was the space in which to build the boat. I have a very small back yard and a very narrow driveway that the boat had to fit through in order to put it on a trailer after it was built. I would have to build some kind of dolly and pull it through the driveway to get it on to a trailer. I knew that I wanted a boat that I could easily take to the lake, or drop in the ocean. Although it was not my first choice, due to size constraints, I decided to build the “Cabin Skiff”. I purchased the plans from Glen-L Designs in Bellflower, CA

The first step that I took was to clean out the garage. With the help of my friend Roger, I threw away all of the old junk that I know that I will never use again. I cut a large hole in the ceiling (the garage was an office for the previous owner) and put all the other junk in the attic. I cut out half of the center wall that divided the garage. I now had some work space although I know it will not be enough.

When I first opened the plans, I thought to myself “What the hell have I gotten into?” It was quite overwhelming. After studying the plans for a while, I began to understand them. I had to learn all of the boat building terminology.

I had a little bit of a hard time finding the marine grade plywood that was specified but finally on 7/16/01 I began cutting the plywood that would become the hull.

After the first six pieces were cut out the bottom and side butt blocks were installed making two large “half’s”.

The two half’s are then stitched together using # 14 copper wire.

The sides are compressed together by ropes and straps allowing for the bow to come together.

The transom (The board on the rear of the boat) is cut out then installed using a mixture of epoxy, silica fibers and micro spheres. They are mixed together to form a putty / paste like substance. This bonding putty is also added to the chine (Where the bottom planking and the sides meet) the keel, (The bottom center of the boat) and the bow. (The front center of the boat. The 3″ bottom keel lamination is embedded in the resin putty and after it has cured a 6″ lamination is installed over the 3″ and is embedded in resin putty.

Battens With Temporary Form

Battens Looking Forward

The Long Beam and Keel Upright form the base for the Sole. (Floor) (Dry fiberglass on keel laminations)

The aft bulkhead installed

The Seams Are Fiber Glassed And Then The Front Cross Beams Are Installed To support The Floor

Styrofoam Insulation is placed in between the long beams and keel upright where ever possible for added buoyancy.

The sole is cut out and fitted into place by embedding the underside edges in resin putty.

After it cures, all of the seams and edges are fiber glassed.

The forward and aft knees (the vertical members supporting the decks) are fiber glassed into place and the front, side, and aft decking is installed.