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  1. #1
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    Default Rowing shell done at last

    Its hard to photograph a 20 ft boat without a wide angle lens, but here goes.

    This is my recreational rowing shell, loosely based on CLC's Oxford Shell. I bought Chris Kulczycki's book 'Stitch and glue boatbuilding' which provided some detail shots and the offsets for the hull planks, which is really the most important bit. The rest is improvised.

    I'm quite satisfied with the result. The only disappointment I have is the weight - 22kg - way heavier then I wanted. This happened because I used 4mm ply where 3mm was called for, beefed up a lot of components and used very heavy white oak for the solid timber, rather then something light like oregon or cedar, and coated all parts in at least 3 coats of epoxy. I console myself that it is probably a bit more robust as a consequence - but really it was just a result of inexperience - next time I'll aim for 18 kg.

    Now I need to make the sliding seat and riggers, and the oars. These will be time consuming but at least I will be in familiar ground.

    more posts below this one

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  3. #2
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    the hull is acceptably slick and fair - although brush painted and brush marks are visible. Normally, I would use Penetrol to eliminate brush and lap marks, but didnt want to risk this with a marine application.

  4. #3
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    Default

    Final shot is the cockpit. The rather rough fillet on the keel-line was ignored because the sliding seat will go over this. The American white oak, such as is used to buffer the plywood coaming, actually matches the Fijian cedar marine ply much better then it seems in this photo.

    cheers
    Arron

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Victoria
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    What a wonderful project Aaron, and I can say from experience ( I spent years rowing and coaching) what a fantastic way it is of exercising; quiet, potentially very fast and a really good whole body work-out! Of course all the clubs and schools now use plastic (cf) boats, and despite being light and fast, they still sound plastic and don't have any of the dignity that yours will. I hope we get to see some shots of her being rowed I hope she gives you years of pleasure.

    Incidentally, it was the boatmen who built and maintained wooden racing boats when I was a kid that hooked me into wanting to make boats. I'll never forget the absolute awe I felt when molds were set up to make a racing '8'. I used to hang around our boatman like a bad smell.

  6. #5
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    Yes, its been 30+ years since I was in a racing shell but I can still vividly remember the sound a wooden boat made when all eight oars go in and take the weight together. Sort of a muffled wooden rattle giving way to the sound of rushing water.

    Makes me wonder what a plastic eight sounds like.

    Arron

  7. #6
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    Jul 2005
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    'Delaide, Australia
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  8. #7
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    Onya Arron. It's certainly an unusual first build. Can't wait to see how she goes when you've got that dastardly sliding seat thingy fitted. Bring her over to Adelaide and we'll see if it can beat my rowboat

    Richard

  9. #8
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    Jun 2007
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    Now -that- is a really nice looking boat Arron.
    Well done
    AJ

  10. #9
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    Dec 2007
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    Guernsey Channel Islands UK
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    well done on your first boat she looks stunning, you should be very proud of your achievement.

    did some one mention these things are good for exercise ? perhaps i should build one for myself before starting my Dipper as i've been eating far to many pies since finishing my Yellowtail.

  11. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by honkongphoie View Post
    did some one mention these things are good for exercise ? perhaps i should build one for myself before starting my Dipper as i've been eating far to many pies since finishing my Yellowtail.
    Take the motor off your Yellowtail and row her - they're supposed to be a good rower (report please, seriously)

    Richard

  12. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Daddles View Post
    Take the motor off your Yellowtail and row her - they're supposed to be a good rower (report please, seriously)

    Richard
    yes she does row very easily and you can get up some speed in her with only 1FHP (fat human power)
    I have done several times first time i took her out i shut the engine off just to make sure she was row-able in some tide and also in shallow water when coming off my mooring a few times when didn't want to suck sand in my outboard.

    was not sure on the length of oars to get but i have been using 8' oars and she really is a pleasure to row with them so guess they are about the right length

  13. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by honkongphoie View Post
    yes she does row very easily and you can get up some speed in her with only 1FHP (fat human power)
    I have done several times first time i took her out i shut the engine off just to make sure she was row-able in some tide and also in shallow water when coming off my mooring a few times when didn't want to suck sand in my outboard.

    was not sure on the length of oars to get but i have been using 8' oars and she really is a pleasure to row with them so guess they are about the right length
    See Arron, you built the wrong boat, you should have built a Yellowtail

    Seriously, both are lovely craft.
    Thanks for the feedback Richard, alters my thoughts on my Yellowtail a little.

    Richard
    btw, the Yellowtail is what I consider a rowing shell, I like to be able to move around, carry the dog, fall over without falling in

  14. #13
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    Ooops, major good manners slipup. I forgot to extend my thanks to the many people who helped me by answering my total-beginner style questions. I couldnt have done it without you - well I guess I could have but it would have taken twice as long and looked twice as daggy.

    thanks
    cheers
    Arron

  15. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Arron View Post
    Ooops, major good manners slipup. I forgot to extend my thanks to the many people who helped me by answering my total-beginner style questions. I couldnt have done it without you - well I guess I could have but it would have taken twice as long and looked twice as daggy.

    thanks
    cheers
    Arron
    thats what this forum is here for Arron so we are able to help one another the best we can

    i have built tree boats now but was to proud/stubborn to ask some of the questions you have, so learnt the hard way or spent hours searching for the answer i have learn some voluble new lessons along the way and from the answers to your questions, that will help in my new build, so from me i owe a little thanks to you also

    this also reminds me i need to write up a summary of my last build.

    when you finish this project have you caught the boat building bug enough to build another

  16. #15
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    Well said Richard. I really appreciate the people who are prepared to be open and who communicate their challenges along with their achievements. We all benefit from that. Anyway, it's nice to have a chat with people on the same sort of journey.

    And Daddles; suffer in yer jocks mate. If Arron brings that thing to Adelaide you'd better hide! He'll be finished before you get the rowlocks sorted!

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