Thread: GIS Build in New Jersey, USA

I'm doing lots of stuff besides going 3D. Today one hull side got inwale spacers stuck to it. I also did a lot of sanding on my rudder. And some time was spent contemplating Black Walnut.









Some explanation for my decision(s) is offered on my GIS Chronicles blog.

Look what I found on Craigslist:



Made by a boater for his homebuilt 14' wooden rowboat that weighs about 200lbs fully loaded. It's not easy finding a lightweight trailer meant for light boats and long enough for a Goat. Total length of trailer is 15' so the goat should fit beautifully. It's a little rusty but for $150 it can't be beat!



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Just catching up on your build. Nice progress. Those springs on the trailer look perfect for a light weight hull, Should smooth out the harsh roads nicely. Good pickup.

Lucky dog!

Nice find. That's an unusual trailing arm trailer suspension. Should ride smooth.

Originally Posted by SimonLew

That's an unusual trailing arm trailer suspension.

Pretty cool, huh? I didn't angle the camera properly to show the shock absorbers but they are outboard of the springs on the aft face of the frame member.

The design is not unlike a Holsclaw, if you're familiar with that. I wasn't--until I came across a very informative thread on WBF started by none other than Thorne. He was seeking trailer plans/designs and referred to the virtues of the defunct Holsclaw trailer and its trailing arm/coil spring set-up. What serendipity it was to see this trailer for sale after reading about how hard it was to find or recreate a Holsclaw.

I hope to address some of the weaker welds and rust spots. The coupler could use a refit, but it works. I've always wanted a reason to learn to weld; I may have created a monster (meaning me with yet another new obsession...).

I was wondering if the coil springs would bounce a lot but with shocks you are set. I have a Mig welder. Highly recommend one. It's very rewarding to stick bits of metal together. You know when after chainsawing something you keep walking around the yard, blipping the throttle looking for other stuff to cut? Welding is like that too.

Simon, that's true! My son bought himself a MIG welder last year. For months, all we heard was "you have anything you need fixed?" I think he'd weld the cat if he could!

Originally Posted by paulie

I think he'd weld the cat if he could!

Sounds like a reasonable and well-adjusted young man to me.

I am a Goat building slacker.

Once the school year began, our household routine has had a major impact on my construction schedule. Tomorrow I head off on a Boy Scout camping trip with my son, which will make three consecutive weekends I've been out camping.

I've spent a little time playing with wood (including a satisfying chainsaw session!). Look for this handle on my tiller in the future:






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Wow, you made that with a chainsaw? Awesome

You're not the only Goat building slacker, forum's been real quiet lately.

That's how it goes. It took me 3+ years to finish mine because of work, kids, family, etc. Especially kids. I hope you get yours finished sooner.

As the Black Black emerges from his winter lair stiff and groggy, so too does the New Jersey GIS builder.

During my hibernation, I took care of some little details that would have to get done some time or another. I did some work on my trailer and installed a hitch on my car (my wife made it clear that her minivan that does have a hitch will NOT be the prime mover for my boat. In her words, "if YOU own a boat, YOU should be able to tow it with YOUR car.") I also coated my spars with epoxy and started working out the hardware for bending the sail. My mast got some coating, but not the complete three coats. Today I went out and sanded it lightly in preparation for more epoxy. I also did some shopping (an all-weather activity thanks to the internet) and picked up some goodies including a dry suit, a collapsible bailing bucket and a sea anchor (not sure if I'm gonna use it but it was pretty inexpensive).

I played with walnut some more:

IMG_0518 by davlafont, on Flickr


IMG_1791 by davlafont, on Flickr


IMG_1790 by davlafont, on Flickr


IMG_1867 by davlafont, on Flickr

And I punched holes on two bulkheads:

IMG_0556 by davlafont, on Flickr


IMG_0557 by davlafont, on Flickr


IMG_1865 by davlafont, on Flickr


IMG_1866 by davlafont, on Flickr


Finally, I drilled and pre-installed a cheek block on the mast for the halyard:

IMG_1858 by davlafont, on Flickr



IMG_1856 by davlafont, on Flickr

SWEET! Looks like lots of progress. And those cleats are going to look GREAT.

I really wish I had precoated my bulkheads like you did. You're going to have a much easier time prepping the interior after it all goes together. Smart move.

Who is this davlafont?