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Bufflehead

Chuck,

These photos show Jim Renouf's Bufflehead "Eden's" cockpit rim. His boat should be sailing for the Cedar Key boat meet May 2nd & 3rd.

Plans for the cruising sailing canoe Bufflehead are available. $40+postage. As you know, she's been developed through long experience and research, with the help of many knowledgeable people. She is meant for the experienced builder and sailor.

Many choices, from scantlings to deck form and rig style, are open. She's 15 feet 6 inches, by 33 inches. Cartop weight is 45 to 60 pounds.

~Hugh Horton hortonsailcanoe@wowway.com

Horton Small Boats, Solid Comfort Boats
29474 Old North River Rd
Harrison Twp MI 48045
586 468 6456

Bronze Hardware Progress

Chuck,

Here are some updated photos of the bronze we fabricated for Pandion.....


stern light #1

stern light #2

The first photo (stern light #1) is a close up of the polished piece installed temporarily on the boat. This piece not only carries the stern light but attaches to the boomkin. The vertical piece on the top provides a sheeting point for the mizzen sail. The photo stern light #2 gives a look from the top.

The wiring for the light runs down a channel in the boomkin and enters the deck for the run to a switch forward. I attached disconnects that allow the boomkin to be removed for varnishing or maintenance (stern light boomkin wiring).

stern light boomkin wiring
 

stern light boomkin hold down #1

stern light boomkin hold down #2

The boomkin is held to the deck by four pieces of hardware (stern light boomkin hold down #1) I used 1/4X20 bronze machine screws backed by large washers and backing to secure the boomkin to the deck. The hold down are made from 1/8 sheet bronze. They were bent over a form and then an ear was brazed on (stern light boomkin hold down #2). The decks haven't been painted yet so it is only temporarily attached.


G & P #1

G & P #2

G & P #3
The gudgeons and pintels are made from 1/8 and 3/16 sheet bronze and 1/2 inch rod (G and P #1and #2) The pair are mounted with the rods facing each other to allow the rudder to slide up about 2 inches ( G and P #3)
 

hatch hinge #1

hatch hinge #2

The hinges for the hatch were fabricated from 1/8 sheet bronze with 3/16 inch bronze rod used for the pin (hatch hinge #1 and #2). This style hinge allows the hatch to sit square on the base and makes for a more water tight hatch.

I have also made some cleats and an anchor roller. I'll send the photos of those as they are ready for the boat......

All of the hardware we made for Pandion will be covered in detail in the new book. As usual there will be a large number of photos that show clearly how to make each piece of hardware.

I now offer a custom bronze fabrication service.... all of the bronze work in the photos is for Pandion a 16 foot 9 inch keel center board sail boat that displaces 1990 pounds..... I'll be happy to fabricate hardware for small or large power or sail boats.

Thank you Chuck,
David Nichols
Arrowhead Custom Boats

Navigator Update

Hi Chuck

First I must apologize as it seems a long time since I sent you an update but the 2008 winter here in NZ has been a crazy busy one for me and at one stage I didn't touch Nav for 3 months. I have been busy as I told you once before with Ref duties at the local (field) Hockey Turf. Then my son Benjie got selected for the Northland under 13 Representative Development team. This meant traveling around to games and tournaments which was enjoyable etc.

Anyway...I recently got back to work and have made some progress so here are some more photos.

You will see that the seats are now glued and nailed into place and now waits for me to tape the edges then a coat of epoxy to seal. You will see that the front underseat area has a compression post and the rear underseat storage a mizzen mast base fitted. I am building a Sloop but these are in place in case I ever decide to change to the Yawl rig.

The buoyancy tanks have all been painted as has the storage area beneath the rear seat. One photo shows the hatch that will enclose this space. The underseat paint colour is Steel Grey and this will cover the footwell and seats. The front storage area is painted Brilliant White.

The hull is complete and overall she is finally really looking like a BOAT !!! I am and have enjoyed the project and still have a way to go to complete but am looking forward to getting finished so I can get back on the water and do some Fishing.

Regards
Robbie Powick

Dinky Dink Progress

Dave Kruger of Oregon is building a modified nesting version of DinkyDink...here is a pic of the frames set up on the strongback. He has elected to build it using chines and frames rather than Stitch and Glue. Looks like he is doing some quality work. He has built a Bartender and this is going to be his tender for it.

Steve Lewis

Pine Tar Soup

Hello Chuck, I was just reading your Feb. splash and came across some interesting stuff. In Steve Chambers article he mentioned "pine tar soup" and graphite/epoxy coatings. 3 questions, 1, what are the ingredients of pine tar soup and the portions, and 2, what means of mixing graphite powder into epoxy, cup of powder per ?oz of epoxy? and 3, how many coats for bottom protection?

Great stuff, Thank you for it.

Geoff

Geoff,

Chuck from Duckworks passed on your questions to me. I'll attempt to answer.

Pine Tar Soup, is my label for:

1 pt. Turpentine - 1 pt. boiled linseed oil - 2 cups pine tar (bought a qt. of " Brikmore (sp?) w/ horse on label, smells very strong. Might try the sweet smelling kind next) 2 T. spoons of Japan Dryer. Mix in clean 1 gal. metal paint pail and coat wooden parts. I just leave an old brush w/shortened handle in can. Usually need to wipe off excess after 30 minutes orso. Depending on wood, might take 2 or more coats.

Graphite in epoxy. I've read use 10 to 30% by volume. I've never really measured, just added sifted graphite powder to mixed unthickened epoxy CAREFULLY. Go slow w/ the mixing as the black powder likes to fly all over. When powder is all mixed in, apply. I¹ve used a 3¹ foam roller on large flat surfaces. Works good for me.

on the oracle i wetted the 4 oz. fibercloth on the bottom and bilge panels w/ just unthickened epoxy, then for all weave filling coats, no more than two, used unthickened epoxy w/ graphite powder.

All three of my Michalak builds have the same bottom/bilge panels covered w/graphite epoxy. On those where I was only covering plywood, after the "primer" coat of unthickened epoxy, it only took one and at most 2 coats of unthickened epoxy w/graphite to finish to my satisfaction.

I'm trying here to find a way to spend least amount of time/money/materials in construction and maintenance and still look OK, at least from 20 yards away.

Hope all this helps.
--
Steve Chambers o

....gotta start somewhere....:^)

submitted by Jack Panter

Ross Lillistone

I first met Ross about 7 years ago when I dropped in on him in Brisbane to discuss the design of a 15' surf/paddle ski he designed some time ago. It was clear to me then that he had far too many projects going at once & I felt guilty for taking some of his valuable building time. He drew full sized patterns of the ski on builders paper with thread through it & metal foil on the other,like the stuff used for house insulation.This was to stabilize the patterns so they did not lose shape due to climatic changes.I had not expected all this work by him & was prepared to loft the plans myself but he insisted.... & did not charge nearly enough for all his trouble. He grumbled at me when I deliberately overpaid his account.

Needless to say the ski went together perfectly from the patterns & was a delight to paddle... I' ve since sold it to a mate & wife wants me to make another. It was simple in concept & did everything it was designed to do. I'll attach some pics.

We kept in touch, mainly by email, on aviation & boat subjects. He would often run design ideas past me for comment knowing I'm an addicted experienced amateur boat builder & so we got to know each other. We have only met a couple of times but it seems like we have been mates for years. Ross is not hard to like! He also did mention that you & your lovely wife were going to visit.

That's how Alby came into being as I was looking for something like the great little dinghies by William Atkins & between us the design emerged from Ross' head full of good old designs & his own ideas on how to  modernise them. Alby is about as stable as you can get in an 8'x4' dinghy.

Al Burke
Newcastle,Australia.

Hello Chuck,

My website is now complete.  www.boatbuildingvacation.com
You mentioned you might be able to post the dates for me as well. 

There are three 9-day session this summer:

  • 2009:
    • June 20-28th
    • July 18-26th
    • September 12-20th.

Thank you,
Nilaya

Plastic Wet Film Thickness Gauges - Under $5

Pittsfield, NH - (12/05/08) - Progressive Epoxy Polymers, Inc., an internet supplier of epoxy resins/coatings, urethanes, fillers and thickeners for commercial, residential and marine use, is offering plastic film thickness gauges for $4.50 including U.S. postage.

These 1.5 inch by 1.5 inch gauges are marked in microns and mils and make a handy additional to any tool/paint box.

The gauges are sued to measure film thickness and compute coating coverage per gallon.

The gauge is pressed into the wet coating and calibrated teeth on the gauge either touch or don't touch the coating depending upon the coating's thickness.

This product has its own web site:
www.epoxyproducts.com/gauge.html

Visit PEP’s web site at: www.epoxyproducts.com

data and msds at: www.epoxyproducts.com/datamsds.html

contact: Paul Oman - info@epoxyproducts.com

COAL TAR EPOXY

Pittsfield, NH - (02/08/09) - Progressive Epoxy Polymers, Inc., an internet supplier of epoxy resins/coatings, urethanes, fillers and thickeners for commercial, residential and marine use, offers a solvent free, COAL TAR EPOXY for individuals and companies.

Coal tar epoxies have traditionally been used on marine structures, waste treatment facilities, barges, and other structures. Use of coal tar epoxies probably peaked in the 1980s.

Unlike many coal tar epoxies, Progressive's COAL TAR EPOXY is a high-end cycloaliphatic based epoxy with 0% VOC and a simple 1:1 mix ratio. Coverage is approximately 160 sf. per gallon.

Visit our web site on this product: www.epoxyproducts.com/coaltar.html

contact: Paul Oman - info@epoxyproducts.com

J.D. Power and Associates Reports:

Boat Manufacturers Hone in on Improving Customer Satisfaction and Quality
While Facing Challenging Market Conditions

Bass Cat, Bennington, Cobalt, Grady-White, Nautique, Regal and Sea Ray Each

Rank Highest in New-Boat Owner Satisfaction in Their Respective Segments

MIAMI: 12 February 2009 —Despite challenging economic conditions, overall customer satisfaction and quality across the new-boat industry has increased considerably since 2008, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Boat Competitive Information StudySM released today at the Miami International Boat Show.

Now in its eighth year, the study examines the sales, service and product experience of new-boat owners. Owner satisfaction with new boats is measured in seven segments: fiberglass bass boats; coastal fishing (17 to 30 feet); express cruisers (24 to 33 feet); small runabouts (16 to 19 feet); large runabouts (20 to 29 feet); pontoons; and ski/wakeboards. Overall customer satisfaction index scores are based on performance in eight factors: cabin; engine; ride and handling; helm and instrument panel; design and styling; sound system; water sports; and fishing.[1]

The study finds that customer satisfaction across the boating industry has increased considerably—up from an index score of 813 on a 1,000-point scale in 2008 to 830 in 2009. While all boating segments improve in 2009, the express cruiser segment (up 38 points) and large runabout segment (up 25 points) primarily drive the overall satisfaction increase. In addition, the average number of problems new-boat owners experience has declined by
33 problems per 100 (PP100) boats in 2009.

“The industry-wide drop in problems experienced is again driven by considerable improvements in both the express cruiser and large runabout segments, which, combined, drive a decline of more than 100 PP100 from the 2008 study,” said Todd Markusic, senior director of the powersports practice at J.D. Power and Associates. “In a time when sales are down nearly 30 percent and consumers are scrutinizing their discretionary spending, enhancing satisfaction and improving quality is vital. Ensuring the most satisfying experience possible during this down time will not only enhance customer loyalty, but also will likely secure even more sales through recommendations and referrals once the market improves.”

The marine industry has been impacted considerably by current economic conditions. The study reveals the following boating industry trends in 2009, which are heavily influenced by the current market situation:

  • Many dealers and manufacturers in 2009 are scrutinizing the expense of participating in boat shows. The study reveals that 20 percent of new boats are purchased at a boat show, which demonstrates the value of these events to manufacturers and dealers.
  • The median owner-reported price paid for a new boat increased by approximately $1,500 from 2008 to $31,495 in 2009. This marks the smallest price increase in the industry during the past three years.
  • The amount of time boat owners are running their engines has decreased steadily, by five hours each year since 2003. In 2009, owners run their engines an average of 59 hours, which is down considerably from 83 hours in 2003.

Bass Boat Segment

Bass Cat ranks highest in the bass boat segment for a fifth consecutive year, performing particularly well in ride and handling, fishing, and design and styling. Ranger and Stratos, respectively, follow Bass Cat in the segment.

Coastal Fishing Segment (17 to 30 feet)

For an eighth consecutive year, Grady-White ranks highest in the coastal fishing segment, performing particularly well in fishing, ride and handling, and design and styling. Following Grady-White in the rankings are Boston Whaler and Century, respectively.

Express Cruiser Segment (24 to 33 feet)

Regal and Sea Ray tie to rank highest in the express cruiser segment. This marks the third consecutive year that Regal has ranked highest. Sea Ray performs particularly well in ride and handling while Regal performs particularly well in the cabin factor.

Small Runabout Segment (16 to 19 feet)

Sea Ray ranks highest among small runabout boats, performing particularly well in the engine, water sports, and design and styling factors. Regal and Monterey, respectively, follow Sea Ray in the segment.

Large Runabout Segment (20 to 29 feet)

For an eighth consecutive year, Cobalt ranks highest in the large runabout segment. Cobalt performs particularly well in water sports, design and styling, and ride and handling. Regal and Sea Ray, respectively, follow Cobalt in the segment.

Pontoon Segment

Bennington ranks highest in the pontoon segment, performing particularly well in design and styling. Manitou follows Bennington, while Premier ranks third in the segment.

Ski/Wakeboard Segment

For a seventh consecutive reporting year, Nautique (manufactured by Correct Craft) ranks highest in the ski/wakeboard segment, performing particularly well in instrument panel, water sports, and ride and handling. Mastercraft ranks second. 

The 2009 Boat Competitive Information Study is based on responses from 9,790 owners who registered a new boat between June 2007 and May 2008. The study was fielded from September to November 2008. 

About J.D. Power and Associates

Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, training and customer satisfaction.  The company’s quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually.  For more information on car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies

Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE:  MHP) is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor’s, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2008 were $6.4 billion. Additional information is available at https://www.mcgraw-hill.com.

J.D. Power and Associates Media Relations Contacts:

Syvetril Perryman; Westlake Village, Calif.; (805) 418-8103; media.relations@jdpa.com

Jeff Perlman; Malibu, Calif.; (310) 589-7749; jperlman@brandwaregroup.com

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