Building my own canoe

[Malcolm]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I'll go with Sandy's tip unless Bob thinks otherwise. He's the boss!

[Pearly Invicta]

Sandy, what would you recommend for a spare bedroom?

[Inchlaggan]

Sandy, what would you recommend for a spare bedroom?

Turn it into a workshop and build a boat ot two....

[sandyborthwick]

Davy I'd forget the wallpaper - one of my pet hates :lol:.

Sandy B.O.

[Malcolm]

Despite the low temperatures the polyester resin has set but took 72 hours! The inside is now fully taped and today was down to removing all the copper ties. Basically just snipped and some pull out but others we have to leave then grind down using a power file.

[attachimg=1]

Next we have to fill the gaps with polyester filler before fiberglass taping the outside. That's for later in the week...

[Black-Don]

Looks as thought it's fair coming on Malcolm.

"Then it's getting painted. Marine grade paint costs a fortune so suggestions from the pros on the forum would be appreciated"
See my previous post about varnish Malcolm. If you have any watermarks or mildew on the wood you could always try varnishing and if it doesn't look too great then just paint over it.

These type of canoes look stunning varnished. Yeah you can still see the tape but it kind of becomes a feature and talking point as it all goes crystal clear and all you can see is the wood through the tape.

[Malcolm]

A minor set back caused by the cold weather. We thought the resin had set but up at the bows it hadn't and when we took the copper ties off a day later it had sprung. So we had to do it again and this time baked it hard using a fan heater.  Once we get the filler into the joins and put the extra tape over the outside this won't be an issue but until we do then while this is going on we're doing the seats.

This is a surprising tricky operation as the seats have to fit very well to a curved and sloping chine before being glued and pinned into place. Even a very small deviation will have an effect. So we use a measuring tool constructed like this to get all the measurements precise

[attachimg=1]

Then we have to cut and plane the supports at an angle

[attachimg=2]

And where it's going to sit.

[attachimg=3]

[Malcolm]

Nothing much going on at the moment. The gunwales have been cut and the scarf joints made and the seats and cross bar temporarily fixed. We can't work with polyester resin in these low temperatures so we'll just get some work done if the temperature rises above about 6 deg.
Here's where we are:
[attachimg=1]  

[paulr]

It's looking great Malcolm. Bagsy a go when it's finished!  :wink:

[doogs]

Haven't heard how this is going Malcolm, is it still too cold?