Boat building

yes, a friend's
Cool - Decades ago, there were rumors of having organized rowing in Nashville. I started training on stationaries, and even went out on a lake a few times as a double team. But, by the time they finally organized (years later), I was outta the mood and too heavy! We had gotten a Pizza Hut with buffet just down from the office a little and'...ummm...ahem....I frequented it! Plus, the main competition is on the Cumberland, and I've seen some might nasty stuff going down the river and not sure I want to be that close!
 
Minor update as I'm working on some of the built-ins that will get added when I start epoxying in the bulkeads. In addition to the sole for the front storage space, I also made the base for the rear battery (and similar on the other side forndry storage).

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As mentioned previously, the battery will go in a drawer that can be pulled out for easy access. I cut out the box this morning and though I could have planned to just epoxy it together, as I've wanted to learn to cut dovetails by hand I figured this would be a great opportunity.

I went simple, one dovetail per side. They aren't perfect, but they fit and for a first time I'm pretty pleased with them. They'll certainly make the epoxy glue up easier, and I learned something. Fun to do, will look forward to doing more in the future.

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@SENC Henry how is your other major project, the automotive one, doing? Been out on the road with this great weather? Put a trailer hitch on it for this boat?
 
That's a good looking dovetail, especially in plywood. Can't say I've ever cut one in plywood.
The flipping grain directions gave me a few fits with both the handsaw and chisel, but it was still a good learning opportunity.
 
@SENC Henry how is your other major project, the automotive one, doing? Been out on the road with this great weather? Put a trailer hitch on it for this boat?
I really have not driven it enough, given the unbelievably cool August and September so far. I almost always have my pup with me and that car just isnt safe for a dog.
 
Likely my last update for a while, as the shop dog and I drive to Texas next week for a dove hunt. My wife is meeting me out there (visiting daughter in Austin) and we're taking the scenic route back.

Finished confirming layout for tank, batteries and electrical stuff and got shelves and boxes roughed and ready. #3 bulkhead access holes cut. Pretty much ready to start putting epoxy coats on the 2 new bulkheads and shelves/boxes, and to get on with hull epoxy and remaining hull fillets. Hope to get some done this week around trip prep, but doubtful there will be enough progress to show... but hopefully can hit the ground running on my return.

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Likely my last update for a while, as the shop dog and I drive to Texas next week for a dove hunt. My wife is meeting me out there (visiting daughter in Austin) and we're taking the scenic route back.

Finished confirming layout for tank, batteries and electrical stuff and got shelves and boxes roughed and ready. #3 bulkhead access holes cut. Pretty much ready to start putting epoxy coats on the 2 new bulkheads and shelves/boxes, and to get on with hull epoxy and remaining hull fillets. Hope to get some done this week around trip prep, but doubtful there will be enough progress to show... but hopefully can hit the ground running on my return.

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Scenic route back? Didn’t realize you were coming by Colorado Springs. Will get the trailer AirBnB ready for you!! :hi::hi::hi:
 
Scenic route back? Didn’t realize you were coming by Colorado Springs. Will get the trailer AirBnB ready for you!! :hi::hi::hi:
When you're from flatland SE NC, the scenic route means just about any drive longer than straight drive. Instead of the Houston-New Orleans-Atlanta drive that is fairly direct, we're driving through. Dallas-Little Rock-Oxford MS-Asheville. There's bound to be something scenic along the way.

This is somewhat of a test to see if my bride can stand to be cooped up with me for more than a day in the car. She says she wants to start road-tripping with the dog to see the country. I'm game, but I'm not sure she can put up with me for that long.
 
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Likely my last update for a while, as the shop dog and I drive to Texas next week for a dove hunt. My wife is meeting me out there (visiting daughter in Austin) and we're taking the scenic route back.

Finished confirming layout for tank, batteries and electrical stuff and got shelves and boxes roughed and ready. #3 bulkhead access holes cut. Pretty much ready to start putting epoxy coats on the 2 new bulkheads and shelves/boxes, and to get on with hull epoxy and remaining hull fillets. Hope to get some done this week around trip prep, but doubtful there will be enough progress to show... but hopefully can hit the ground running on my return.

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Henry, I’ll pass you heading back east, but I’ll be flying. We go Friday to a dove hunt in Coldspring, TX, north of Houston. I’m not shooting, no license, going for the camaraderie and party with some Army friends. Back to TX in October for another gathering.
 
Henry, I’ll pass you heading back east, but I’ll be flying. We go Friday to a dove hunt in Coldspring, TX, north of Houston. I’m not shooting, no license, going for the camaraderie and party with some Army friends. Back to TX in October for another gathering.
Have a great time, hope your crowd has plenty of birds... though it sounds, like our group, that the fellowship is the main thing. Safe travels!
 
When you're from flatland SE NC, the scenic route means just about any drive longer than straight drive. Instead of the Houston-New Orleans-Atlanta drive that is fairly direct, we're driving through. Dallas-Little Rock-Oxford MS-Asheville. There's bound to be something scenic along the way.

This is somewhat of a test to see if my bride can stand to be cooped up with me for more than a day in the car. She says she wants to start road-tripping with the dog to see the country. I'm game, but I'm not sure she can put up with me for that long.
As a touring motorcyclist, I am always looking for the scenic route. Sometimes I don’t properly estimate the time it takes to take some of those backroads I want to take!!

One definite recommendation I can make is the Natchez Trace Parkway (https://www.google.com/search?q=natchez+trace+parkway&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari). Although I have never personally ridden this one yet, I have read plenty of stories about the trip and you might consider it. Only problem I see with it is it dumps you off near @Mike Hill that Texicans place……be warned. You can also jump off it like you can the Blue Ridge.

Just a thought.
 
As a touring motorcyclist, I am always looking for the scenic route. Sometimes I don’t properly estimate the time it takes to take some of those backroads I want to take!!

One definite recommendation I can make is the Natchez Trace Parkway (https://www.google.com/search?q=natchez+trace+parkway&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari). Although I have never personally ridden this one yet, I have read plenty of stories about the trip and you might consider it. Only problem I see with it is it dumps you off near @Mike Hill that Texicans place……be warned. You can also jump off it like you can the Blue Ridge.

Just a thought.
A few years back I drove the majority of the Natchez Trace Parkway. Beautiful scenic highway off the beaten path. But slower speeed limits than a normal highway. I can image it would be great on a motorcycle. Chuck
 
As a touring motorcyclist, I am always looking for the scenic route. Sometimes I don’t properly estimate the time it takes to take some of those backroads I want to take!!

One definite recommendation I can make is the Natchez Trace Parkway (https://www.google.com/search?q=natchez+trace+parkway&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari). Although I have never personally ridden this one yet, I have read plenty of stories about the trip and you might consider it. Only problem I see with it is it dumps you off near @Mike Hill that Texicans place……be warned. You can also jump off it like you can the Blue Ridge.

Just a thought.
We lived in Jackson MS for several years, so I had the opportunity to drive some of the Natchez Trace - a relaxing, scenic drive for sure. It would make for a good stealthy approach to the Tennexan's stash, indeed.
 
Henry ( @SENC ), looks like the gas tank will be centered and the battery will be on the starboard side? That'll put 30-40lbs on the right side of your boat, which might be enough to create a little list to starboard. I forget, are you planning on a spare battery? Otherwise, might be worth considering how you could balance the weight distribution. In many smaller boats I've been in, the gas tank is on one side and the battery on the opposite to balance the weight.
 
The Natchez Trace is a definite recommendatiion. The speed limit is low so you don’t hit some wildlife while going fast. If going south from my end at evening - better be careful! Sounds like you are turning right somewhere along the Mississippi River. Too bad you are coming through Smashvegas - there might be a brisket wait’n on ya!
 
Henry ( @SENC ), looks like the gas tank will be centered and the battery will be on the starboard side? That'll put 30-40lbs on the right side of your boat, which might be enough to create a little list to starboard. I forget, are you planning on a spare battery? Otherwise, might be worth considering how you could balance the weight distribution. In many smaller boats I've been in, the gas tank is on one side and the battery on the opposite to balance the weight.
Doug, you are now reminding me of something from very long ago before trolling motors were around with batterie. Seems dad would put the gas tank in one back corner to offset the torque of the little outboard motor. Hmmmmmm, where did that memory come from and is it right.
 
Doug, you are now reminding me of something from very long ago before trolling motors were around with batterie. Seems dad would put the gas tank in one back corner to offset the torque of the little outboard motor. Hmmmmmm, where did that memory come from and is it right.
I'm thinking a few pounds of battery in that flat bottom duck boat won't make much difference. After all it's designed for rambunctious Labrador retrievers, loads of decoys and hunters.
 
Henry ( @SENC ), looks like the gas tank will be centered and the battery will be on the starboard side? That'll put 30-40lbs on the right side of your boat, which might be enough to create a little list to starboard. I forget, are you planning on a spare battery? Otherwise, might be worth considering how you could balance the weight distribution. In many smaller boats I've been in, the gas tank is on one side and the battery on the opposite to balance the weight.
Both batteries are going on the port side... intentionally. The gas tank will be starboard of center... just.

First, I'm giving lithiums a try, so weight is a little over a third of similar lead acid. One battery and tank are forward to get some weight up there when it's just me and pup (I think that will be the majority of the time). Last, when driving, I'll be on the starboard side, so a little extra weight to port should about equalize it.

And, as Spruce points out, given the beam on this boat none of it will probably matter a bit.
 
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