Boat Builder Central

I didn't glass the bottom when I built the boat. This spring I noticed that the boat bottom had develped deep checking in the plywood despite a generous epoxy coating. I sanded all the paint off and covered it with 0.5 oz cloth and have had no more checking. I imagine that 4 oz cloth would give a lo...

They (plans from the link) work fine. Mine are 7 feet, you can always cut them shorter. I found that you can make some durable oar 'leathers' out of a bicycle innertube. I cut the tube in half, giving me two fairly flat, hollow rubber tubes about 20" long. Under as much tension as I could bring...

Actually, I think that it helps to have your wood a little weathered before you apply the epoxy. I live in Utah, so things dry out pretty well without any extra effort. My poor old V12 took a long time to build and got many soakings. The moisture raised the grain somewhat and I sanded that down smoo...

Hmmm.... I accidently put in my centerboard trunk about 5 inches high, but decided later that it was a good thing. I have had over 700 lbs in my V12 (calm day, rowing) and still had about 6" of freeboard. A little chop would have sunk us though...... I did have a lot of trouble sailing to windw...

Thank you for going to the trouble to dig that up. I will send you a picture when I get it done. Might have a mizzen as well.

Dave Hahn
Delta, Utah

Hi Paul, I really like the look and size of the sail that you have in your zap file, and have followed the links to the site that you gave, and am pretty sure that I will build one somewhat like it. How does it sail in a blow? What do you do to reef it? Is it a little like the sprit rig, where you d...

I would also suggest a brailing line. Drill a hole in the top of the mast - within an inch of the top, and smooth the corners with a rat tail file, and then sand smooth. Paint. Run a light line through the hole and down to the deck. Run the other end of the line to the sprit. Tightening the snotter ...

I have a Cheap Canoe, and my youngest son (17) has paddled it near and far without incident. I haven't gotten a bath in it yet either, but it gives me a thrill each time I get in it, so I totally share your concern. I did modify mine when I built it and made it a little longer and a little wider tha...

Hi Lori, On my V12 I cut a 2 x 4 into strips and laminated them. I think it was 1-1/2" x 1" and then I cut another one that was 2" x about 1/2" and glued it to the edge. (So the two 1-1/2 x 1 pieces were glued to give a 1-1/2 x 2" piece. Then the 2" x 1/2" piece wa...

Paul, That is the picture. Very salty looking. Thanks for the details. Do you have any lee or weather helm issues, or does the center of effort of this sail match the stock sprit rig-daggerboard positioning closely enough. It looks like it might have a little weather helm, which would probably be a ...