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Well, I bought a bandsaw and a belt sander today, I have five yards of 6oz glass cloth thanks to wild bill, and I am getting ready to cut and laminate some 2x6 framing to make stem blanks.

So I guess we can say I have started on my light dory, even before the model is done. I did model a variation but need to sit down and cut and glue this one including the molds.

According to the book on building the light dory, Dynamite considered an 'economy model' that would weigh between 60 and 80 pounds. Looks like I am facing a similar predicament here.

I can spend a day ( or a couple of hundred in shipping ) and get okume sent from Annapolis ( CLC ) or I can buy 5.2 mm luan underlayment at home depot. The only other choice is pine bcx, unless I want to make the dory out of 3/8" ACX fir, which puts me back to the weight of the BCX pine plus.

1/4" fir acx just seems not to occur within driving distance of me. My search continues. Also have ordered a dolly and a loader.

Also have to make a decision on the molds, but pretty sure I am going to cut them out of obx or whatever is on sale instead of making them of 1by like Dynamite did for his shop. Can't see myself making a hundred of theses bad boys.

Hi Doug,

Minimum I'd go with is 1/4" AC... If your local lumberyard doesn't stock it (which they should), ask if they can get it... (Hint, whenever I need special wood, I always take the book with me to the lumberyard and explain that I'm trying to build this boat. For some reason, that makes the lumber acquisition process more "noble". My guess is that most everyone who works in a lumberyard either has built a wooden boat or dreamed of doing so... Nothing like guerrilla psychology as applied to boatbuilding...)

Alan

Hey Alan I will have to try that. So far calling has not done the trick. May have to bring the book with me. I am starting to wonder why none is near me.

Doug,
Harbor Sales in Baltimore MD (or nearby Baltimore) supplies many types of marine plywood. I have been told that they also deliver to many local lumber yards? You might want to contact them and see what they can do about delivery. In the worst case, Baltimore shouldn't be too far? They also have a web site, but I don't know the address, you can google Harbor sales to find it.
Good luck!

Thanks Paul,

I will have to check them out. Truth be told, I would be very happy with fir ACX. I used pine bcx for Mary Margaret and have no complaints except weight. In that kind of boat it's fine by me, for this one I would like at least fir ACX.

looks like CLC in Annapolis might be the closest place and they have okume. Heard it may actually get warm enough this weekend to laminate the stem blanks........ I know they will have to cure indoors, but would like to get the initial gooping and daubing done in the great outdoors.

still searching for plywood, but epoxy is ordered from Duckworks. I put in my order a few minutes ago and forgot to specify hardener speed. Almost immediately I got an email from Sandra asking me which hardener I needed. Good service so far.

Also have glass tape on the way. would like to have stem and transom sorted out by the middle of April, which should be time to get moulds up and panels marked out. The dream is a June launch.

Even though I have modelled similar designs, want to get out next week and photo copy my plans so i can model this one before i cut the moulds out.

Yep, my lumpy water rowboat is gathering steam. BTW Alan - some of the snooty folks at youknowwhere heartily approve of the GLD as a step in the 'right' direction. There is something about the looks of the Gull that makes folks love it.

Hi Doug,

No small wonder that the GLD (Gloucester Light Dory) is popular with the "snooty folks"... It's a beautiful boat. But the fact remains that an average person can build the Teal just the way that Dynamite says for a few hundred bucks, and with a bit of care, have a fantastic boat for the rest of their lives...

It all comes down to form and function... Some of us love function with the hope that genius will provide beauty... Bolger could do that with boats like the GLD and the Diablo... But at the same time, we can embrace designs like the Micro and the June Bug... It may not be pretty, but it functions perfectly... Just a matter of priorities I guess...

Alan

Hey Alan,

To me, the june bug and teal are pretty boats. So is my Mary Margaret. Something that you make from flat lumber that carries you across the water is a thing of beauty. Only a question of degree.

Between Dynamite and PCB, they refined the GLD until it became an icon. So far in the modeling it really doesn't look like the build will be too much harder than the Mary Margaret. I have to learn how to use a bandsaw and belt sander this time around, but I had to learn a few things last time too.

I have also scored a dolly and an old school U-Haul canoe lifter that goes on a traler hitch, so the crab skiff may well be next....

Epoxy question - will i need to thicken epoxy to laminate the 2x6 framing stock for the stem? Or can I use it as mixed?

Hi Doug,

When I glue with epoxy, I pre-soak the wood with unthickened epoxy repeatedly... Once the wood stops soaking up the epoxy, I mix up an epoxy batch with wood flour until the consistency reaches that of peanut butter. Next I smear the thickened goo using common sense (don't skimp, but don't slather)... Then I clamp with moderate pressure and leave the work alone for at least 48 hours. I don't rush, but I also don't waste time.

Before I begin, I'm sure to lay out all the materials (wood, gloves, clamps, stir sticks, mix can(s), epoxy application/scrape sticks, a roll of paper towels, straight edges, squares, flashlight, mask, wax paper, hand cleaner), and then I do a dry walk through - step by step.

One final thought... I always set aside any household items (drawers, chairs, garden stuff, etc.) that need gluing for that great epoxy glue-up... That way, I waste as little glue as possible.

Hope this helps...

Alan

P.S. West System has good info on this... http://westsystem.com/ss/

Hi Doug,

Me again...

I'm sorry... I should have included this link and simply pulled a dial tone...

http://www.systemthree.com/reslibrary/literature/The_Epoxy_Book.pdf

This is maybe the best book ever written on epoxy... Back in the day, I actually ordered one from System Three and wore it out reading it... Just great stuff...

Sorry 'bout that...

Alan

Thanks Alan,

I think I had that bookmarked on my recently departed notebook. Yeah I decided to try epoxy on this one. Really had no severe complaints with the polyester resin ( using it outdoors....) but would like to try epoxy as i read so much about it's virtues.

Got three gallons on the way, I am thinking that should cover this build....

Hi Doug,

Three gallons should be fine...

Just be sure to practice first...

Also, avoid smaller containers unless you want a really fast start to the cure. (We usually mix in the typical pot, then transfer into a throw-away flat pie tin...)

Here's a drawer I'm making for the wife's hutch... I used epoxy to secure the dovetails (all 48), though I certainly didn't need it. But I can "Gaw-run-tee" that those drawers will never come apart!



Alan

Hi Alan,

The epoxy and glass tape landed today, I might need to buy the odd yard of glass cloth to fill in with, but essentially have gathered essential tools and epoxy.

Next I guess I should glue those stem boards up when we have a nice day. I am going to look for a few good days together to let the wood soaking application cure up a bit before trying to laminate the boards together, then it will be time to open up the pattern and see what's what.

BTW - that is some nice looking joinery.

Hi Doug,

That's great news that you have decided on which boat to build, and are well on the way to starting construction!

What size band saw did you buy. I have a small Black & Decker that I bought at a flea market in New Mexico for $35.00.

It has served well for my needs...but, of course I would like a much larger one...just because they look so nice!

Good luck with the build!

I know so little about bandsaws, I bought a 6" RYOBI from Home Depot along with a RYOBI beltsander. I have had very good luck with their tools ( specifically my mitre saw and table saw ) doing contractor type work even though most of the 'pros' hereabouts are DeWalt men.

I asked my father in law ( who knows everything ) if he knew anything about bandsaws and he told me to turn the switch on, introduce the stock to the cutting blade appropriately and keep my fingers clear.

Mostly I am getting stuff together now, hoping for a June Launch... we shall see how the weather cooperates.