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I am pretty sure that putting CarTopper on the cover of IBBWDP was no accident.

I really like those tent sketches in BWOAM. Would like to see some detailed plans/DIY instructions for that setup. I suppose there's enough there to go on if you know how to make tents.

The spritsail is another stroke of genius, because it stows on board.

The only way to deal with the two up rowing ( which is a feature I want ) and tenderness of the design, is to build more than one boat. Not an intolerable solution if you enjoy the build as much as I enjoyed my first one.

All designs are compromises. I still love the Nimitz, but she's no good for flyfishing. Modeling is a truly great way to contemplate the ups and downs of any design in 3D without a huge commitment. Also a huge confidence builder. Building keys make my head hurt, even when I sit in my favorite chair with the plans and build it in my head.

I need a lot more experience for that to work well. Building a model with the plans and building key really does help me picture the build. Even with enough experience to "build in my head" sitting in my lazyboy, models will still be valauble.

Hi Doug,

Ya know... It's funny... I never really noticed that the boat on the cover of IBBWDP was a Cartopper. (Or if I did, forgot it.) Kind of like not noticing how many stair steps lead to the basement.

As for the tent... The model might come in handy... It might take a few attempts, but you probably can figure something out.

There is a free piece of drawing/CAD software out there that you might want to consider: Google Sketchup. I use this (very) occasionally, and it is impressive. The learning curve isn't too nasty, and the SW can hold its own for doing some pretty neat drawing. Check out http://www.ebirdseed.com/blog/2009/10/nor_easter_and_more_cam_info.html

For rowing with two people on board in the Cartopper... Hmm... I believe P.B. suggested getting the two occupants as close together as possible... The Teal isn't bad with two people. Sweet Pea is pretty good, and would probably meet your desire to be able to stand and fish.

The more I study my models, the more I understand what Dynamite was talking about... They really take little time to build, and yet they save so much time... I can even see mini "stream tests" (a la a very young Brockway) to gain further insight. (If you're not familiar with Earle Brockway, PM me and I can get you some info...)

Alan

At this point I am guessing that i will be building models until "they" compost me. There are so many boats on my "bucket list" that some of them might have to be models only. I want a sharpie skiff to play clammer in. Some sort of birdwatcher cabin boat for camping and raids.

The Cartopper for a single handed all arounder. Maybe an AS29 retirement home...

I wish I have recorded my B.T. model on digital camera. Crude as it was, it probably prevented at least one major headache.

Sure hate to add another boat to the mix...but you might want to take a look at this article in Duckworks.

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/09/pro ... index1.htm

At the very least, there are some good photos and videos of the boat building process.

photos: http://www.duckworksbbs.com/plans/jim/wooboto/index.htm

Tan't no reason why a man can't have a dozen boat, is there?

I have looked at that design many many times, and read Jim's book twice or thrice. His Robote is a definite possibility as the plans are in the book.

This after noon I finished cutting thinner side panels for the CarTopper wooden model and bent them into place around the bottom and some frames that have to be redone. Even cockeyed, with gaps, and held together with masking tape, that's one nice looking little boat.

I tried to assemble my new and improved Cartopper model panels by my own method. This brings up a very important set of rules, which I call rule number one and rule number two.

1. Dynamite is always right.

2. See rule number one.

So I get to cut a few more pieces and try again......

Hi Doug,

Don't feel too bad about the "Dynamite Set of Rules". First he was a pro lobsterman, then a pro boatbuilder... Not much escapes him when it comes to boats and water, or he would have drowned in the cold waters of Maine decades ago. Add to that Phil Bolger...

Alan

Well, I finally got a first attempt at a wooden model done. Simple hull shape with full frames. Plenty of room for improvement, not a pretty model. Not something I would be proud to display.

Having said all that, worth considerably more than it's weight in gold. I would not trade everything gained in modeling this boat for having spent this time in a build. Dynamite is correct when he points out that you can make your mistakes at a scale of 8:1 quickly and cheaply.


even the cardboard mock up of the big tortoise helped me avoid a costly mistake. This model has taught me a lot about alignment and fitting ( both of which I need work on ) I hope to do a whole bunch more models before I tackle the full size boat.

The next goal is to get the hull pretty, then a rowing version, then the sailing version, then full size. That's the dream. Here is where we are at..

Hi Doug,

I think the model looks great... Believe it or not, all it would take is a little modeling compound or modeling putty, some paint, and a little effort, and I think you would have something to display.

Alan

Hi Alan,

I agree with you completely. Decided to post it up "ugly" to highlight the importance of modeling. Every one of those gaps and discrepencies is easy to trace to the source of the trouble. The wood is 2x4 scrap that I milled down with my table saw. That's a whole bunch of gotchas' that wont be sneaking up on me in a "live" build.

If I made a full size one with gaps that size I would be a happy camper. Still, I lood forward to making an even nicer one with cut down frames, floor, rowing seat, tholepin oarlocks, gunwales, and such.

EDIT - On a rethink Alan - might be a good idea to hit that puppy with wood putty and hand her over to one of my many women for a paint job ( it only looks easy when I do it...) . I was going to leave it as is, but no sense in not getting in some model healing practice. As we used to say in the Navy, smoke 'em if you got 'em....

Slapped a little putty and paint on that Cartopper hull...



I like it enough to cut out more parts for a complete model.

Hi Doug,

Not bad... Not bad at all!

Models are cool... You can paint and re-paint to get the perfect paint scheme... I like to hold the model up and picture it as it moves through the water... Also, I made a scale "pipe-cleaner model" of me and that way I can see how I'd fit in the boat. Very cool.

Alan

In any reasonable scale, my pipe cleaner mini me would not take that much in length but to accurately represent my rotundness would entail killing a lot of pipe cleaners. That might offend some pipe cleaner rights group.....

Scale weight is something I am interested in. For a 1/8 model, I think you divide weight by eight by eight by eight ( /8/8/8 = ) Because the model is one eighth the length, one eighth the depth, and one eighth the width. Is this correct?

In other words, If I make a model watertight can I use the formula of [actual weight] / 8 / 8 / 8 = scale weight ? Will doing that show me how the hull will float ( in calm water anyway) with x amount of weight?

Hi Doug,

Check out: http://www.thestorydoctor.com/bh/comps/bdesign.html... In general, boat design/performance/modeling gets mathematically ugly fast. New computer programs help... But you can't always expect a linear response between model behavior and real-world behavior. (Consider speed for example.)

I know that there are boat design forums out there... But be ready with your calculus book...

Alan