Classic Australian Wooden Power Boat Association

Dog is ideal for getting rid of offcuts they turn them into splinters and shaving really quickly!!!

I hope we havent scared Ian off from posting on our BB?

Still here. Thinking about the way forward. One thought is to build it from cheaper materials to gain skills/learn lessons /make mistakes. First build so I never thought it would be perfect. Its on the backburner for a while as I have a couple of motorbikes in need of attention. No change from the last photo's. The photo's come straight off the phone , I don't know how or if the size can be changed . The dog is very helpful if you consider kicking over boxes of screws and getting himself into places he has trouble getting out of, helpful. Not the smartest dog I've ever owned. We call it personality ..........Ian

Ian, never give up I've got a boat that was started around 30 years ago (not finished) and the only advice that came from professional boat builders before it was started, was simply to use the best materials you can get. From what I have seen so far you don't need any more practice.

Nothing like being put off, but advice is just that, advice!

Also what do you want from the boat, to last the test of time etc etc?

Photos also can lie, I'm not sure how many frames have issues, but there are ones that do most of the work and could be fitted with sister ribs/frames etc so you don't have to reinvent the wheel!

Remember some of these guys have race boats that have been poorly constructed back from the fifties with high power engines that are still being used today!!

You could glue three mm plywood on the frames. That would put the strength back into the weak points.

Small update; I laminated the stem today using hoop pine and the right glue. Also bought some epoxy products recommended by Boatcraft to continue when time allows. I'm not concerned about the strength of the frames , as mentioned earlier I made them from wood that was almost twice as thick as the plan suggested. And I know from my building experience that you need to look at the whole structure. The ply outer hull acts as bracing and ties the frames together. The heavy engine bearers run from the transom to the front seat and spread the load over a big area. In my opinion its a very good plan . very strong. Yes I was to keen and bought the wrong variety of pine but I don't think its bad enough that I need to set a match to it and start again. Some will agree with me , some won't. Anyway here's a couple more pics...........Ian

The only thing I can add at present is that you will need more clamps for the job! You can never have enough clamps.

Could be right about the clamps. That's every one I could find , even a valve removing clamp was used. A bit more done today. The keel was only screwed in temporarily so I took that out and glued and screwed it in properly. First go with the epoxy was a bit runny , should have put a bit more powder in but got the job done. After that I fitted the stem into the front frames. Glued and screwed to the frames , glued and bolted to the keel. I've also screwed the chines to the outside of the frames to get a nice curve along all frames. I have yet to fit them to the stem. Once I've done that I'll mark them and cut the frames to suit. Then repeat the process with the gunwales and glue and screw into place. 2 more pics..........Ian

Been a bit slack for a few weeks but a few rainy days spent in the shed got things moving.