Against all odds, an Eureka 155 in Sanur Bali

**kayu** · 23rd March 2010, 09:42 PM

Hi guys,

I must explain the tittle I guess.

First I would like to thank Michael Storer for sending me by email the plans for the Eureka.
After I explained to him how difficult it was to get something delivered by mail in Indonesia, he went to a lot of trouble getting me the plans by email. He even had to go to the public library because all the phones in his building were out of order! All this happened allmost 4 years ago, the situation with Pos Indonesia has much improved since then.

All kind of projects came up but a few weeks ago I desided it was time for the Eureka.
In the meantime I have read every thread about building Eureka cano's on this forum, I really learnt a lot.

While hunting for the materials I soon found out that not much was available. No decent plywood, no pine, no marine epoxy like West etc, no glass tape, no small paint rollers etc.

Anyway, I decided to go on building with the stuff I could get my hands on.

First thing offcourse marking out the panels, cutting was next followed by buttstrapping the six pieces. At that moment I realised the size off the boat. It would definitly not fit in the workshop.

Butt-strapping was done in the guest room, If you listen carefully you can still hear my wife grumble and mutter!

The boat had to stay outside, mind you it is rainy saison at the moment! So I had to buy a big tarpolin to cover the boat up.

Next came stitching. It was a great moment When the panels went from 2d to 3d. I mean I've read about it and seen pictures but that moment was really awsome!

Because I could not get glass tape, I had to cut it from glassfiber cloth. Cutting almost 50 mtr of it is not much fun!

After I put the first tape on, I could see that the combination: heavy tape and tyraps, was not good. The tyraps made a bridge and the tape followed, creating a hollow bump.
So I took the tyraps out and put copperwire in.
This made a big difference. I could push the wire down and the tape followed nicely.

Outside taping went wel after filleting the seams, for the stems I cut double bias tape from the cloth as mentioned on Michael Storer's website. It followed the curve real easy.

I could not find on the drawings the markings as where the bulkheads were supposed to go. But there is a seperate illustration with a measurement so I used that one.

I liked the look of the inwhale spacerblocks made by Peter Hyndman, so on to the drillpress.
For lack of clamps I used small nails to temporarely fix the blocks to the inwhales.
Also something I "borrowed", a nice looking centerspreader/portage yoke. On this website you can download the plan : Plywood Boat Plans

More to Follow

John

**kayu** · 23rd March 2010, 09:49 PM

For the decks I used 4mm ply. Again a tip from Michel Storer was used to create a nice looking transition between the deck and the gunwhale see his blog.

I used the free plans from Michael Storer to make the paddles. For some reason I had trouble understanding the explaining text on how to shape the handle. So I just eyeballed the shape.
Not to unhappy with the result.

The seats, I decided to do as a simple frame with cane webbing. That kind of material is really easy to get here!
The internet is a wonderfull source if you want information. As a first time caner I found this website very helpfull 2 Methods For Recaning Old Chairs - Popular Mechanics.

I understand that you have to cover the epoxy with varnish or paint to keep the epoxy from degrading. After a long search I found a limited supply of spar varnish. I wil use this for the inside and will use paint on the outside.

The cano was last week ready to be tested. I mean check that it would stay afloat.
We tried this in our swimming pool. And it did float!!!!

I'm busy now varnishing the paddles, seats etc.
So a few more days and we will be paddling!

I keep you posted.

John

**masoth** · 23rd March 2010, 09:58 PM

Looks like a job very well done. Given the described circumstance many would not have tried. Congratulations, and I hope you have much fun paddling.

soth

**CCBB** · 24th March 2010, 11:30 AM

Awesome! handsome job indeed!

**jmk89** · 24th March 2010, 01:01 PM

Great story, kayu.

What did you use for marine epoxy insted of West/Botecote?

**labr@** · 24th March 2010, 01:23 PM

Nice posts John, boat looks good - I always like the look of scuppered inwales.

Also thanks for the link to the recaning info.

**kayu** · 25th March 2010, 04:59 PM

Hi ,

Thanks for the nice words.

Instead of West or Bote epoxy I had to use a 1:1 epoxy, local brand called Avian. I know it is not recommended but it was all I could get my hands on.

Almost finished the caning of the seats. Not to bad for a first try.
My dog is not impressed.

To avoid the "which paddle is mine" I carved the initial letter of our names in them and filled the carving with colored epoxy. I used finely ground Bali coffee

.

Is there a minimum time between epoxy and painting?

John

**Boatmik** · 25th March 2010, 05:07 PM

What a great story. I find the story is quite similar to some of the people who have built boats in the Philippines or in North West Africa.

John, would it be possible for you to list where you got the different materials ... it might make it easier for people who want to build in Bali.

A basic list?

Thanks hugely for the contributions above.

MIK

**kayu** · 27th March 2010, 02:51 PM

Hi,

Not much progress, down with "masuk angin" in other words a cold.

Sure I can make up a list of suppliers,

Epoxy, fiberglass cloth, aceton, hatches, filler powder Sari Rejeki Utama Jl Ngurah Rai Denpasar
Plywood Any "Toko Bangunan" buildingshop (check the sheets!!)
Wood for gunwhales etc Again any buildingshop (all wood is sold rough sawn)
Latex gloves Tiara Dewata Department store Denpasar City
Brushes Mitra 10 (2 outlets in Denpasar)
Stirring sticks, mixing cups Hardy's supermarket (Sanur among others)
Varnish, Paint Propan information center Denpasar City
Tyraps Ace hardware Store (Denpasar, Kuta)
Stainless screws, bolt, nuts Sinar Baut Jl Gatot Subroto Denpasar
Kopi Bali (to color the epoxy-inlay) There are about 1.000.000 "toko's" selling Kopi Bali

To give you an idea about prices:

Plywood 6mm Rp 65.000 a sheet (A$ 8,-)
Fiberglass cloth 1 mtr square Rp. 10.000 (A$ 1.20)
Epoxy (resin and hardener 1 kg each) Rp 122.000 (A$ 14.50)
Paint 1 kg Rp 48.000 (A$5.80)
Latex gloves 100pcs Rp 52.000 (A$ 6.30)
1 inch brush Rp 4000 (A$ 0.50)
All the stainless steel hardware Rp 40.000 (A$ 5.00)

Does it make you jealous? Keep in mind that the ply and epoxy is not the quality you guys use.

John

**Boatmik** · 29th March 2010, 03:52 PM

Thankyou so much for that ... what a great list.

I am sure it will help a lot of people out.

Best wishes
Michael

**nickpullen** · 30th March 2010, 10:02 AM

Holy macaroni batman! I just worked it out, that boat cost you about $100 in raw materials!

Not to bad at all, and I bet its still lighter than a $2000 store bought fiberglas/plastic one.

WELL DONE!

**kayu** · 18th April 2010, 12:19 PM

Hello guys,

The finishing of the boat was a bit slow going. The "masuk angin" wasn't helping and we had a lot off rain lately.

Have painted the outside canary yellow and varnished the inside.

Remember we live in Bali. Before you can actually use lets say a car, motorbike and in this case a canoe, you must make sure that you appease the appropriate gods.
To choose the "right" day you have to consult the balinees calender. It appeard that april 15 was a good day.
Our Balinees friends prepared the offerings and performed the ceremony.

We don't have a car so we had to hire a pickup to transport the boat to the beach.
We went to a quiet part of the beach at the south part of Sanur. The tide was just right.

At first it was a bit wobbly but after a while it went smoothly.

I had a great time building the Eureka. Really something different from the "normal" woodworking I'm used to do. I'm sure I am going to build another boat in the future. Maybe a strip planked canoe, who knows. Or a PDR?

John

**robhosailor** · 19th April 2010, 01:28 AM

Beautiful boat - beautiful photos! Bravo!

**Boatmik** · 20th April 2010, 06:30 PM

Great pics - specially the ceremony. Boat looks great too.

When paddling by yourself use the front seat but face the other direction. This brings you closer to the centreline for a more balanced boat.

MIK

**kayu** · 21st April 2010, 09:08 PM

Hi Mik,

When paddling by yourself use the front seat but face the other direction. This brings you closer to the centreline for a more balanced boat.

I wasn't aware of that

, will try it next time, thanks.

John

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