Thread: Flathead

Well it's not been too hard since the last update. Managed to mark out the S shape using leftover fluteboard to make a template and then cut it with my flexible Z saw.

Selected some darker highly figured pieces of cedar for the fore deck area and it's coming up reasonably well so far. There will be 3 light coloured pin stripes on each side - the first one is on but doesn't show up all that well in the photos as the dark cedar is only on one side.

Joins at the ends of the strips are not being given too much attention as there will be a filler strip inserted later to tidy it all up. The filler strip should be both quicker and give a better finish. A lot more time was spent on the mitre joints I did on the hull and they mostly turned out average at best anyway.

Snazzy...............

Thanks Mike.

Deck is nearing the closing stage but I think it will need 4 pinstripes per side. This means the last one will be only about 1.5 strips from the edge but it's either that or have a large area wihout one and I think that will look odd.

Foredeck closed up. The spacing of the pin stripes seem to be OK (to me anyway).

S shaped stripe is also in on 1 side. Tried to cut the slot for this with a piece of hacksaw blade at first as I thought my Z saw was too big. It didn't go well though so tried the Z saw and it worked well. Sanding to final size was awkward and time consuming though. Will spend more time on marking out on the other side so will be able to cut closer to final size.

Deck strips and highlights all done, and started the jarrah stem piece for the bow. Need a few more laminations on this before it's complete.

Glued on the top half of the transom and rough trimmed the strips.

Cockpit is cut out, deck sanded (then filled,sanded,filled,sanded etc...) and finally glassed this morning. The deck is not perfect by any means but good enough for me on a first go. The colours have come up well and the pattern seems to fit with the curves.

It surprises me that the curves look fair (to my eye anyway) but when running a hand over the deck I can feel various humps/hollows - thought it would have been the other way round.

Well I've been a bit lax with the posts - can't believe it's nearly 3 weeks gone by.
The idea for the flathead pattern has been ditched - just can't bring myself to cut into the deck any more. Maybe next time.

Progress has been slow as it's now getting into the fiddly bits time. Took some time messing around with trying out bent strips vs short segments for the coaming and ended up with the short segments.

Have been doing a bit of interior smoothing and filling during that time as well but it is still quite a mess inside.

Looks GREAT Bob.
AJ

Thanks AJ. It's taking longer than expected (as always ) but there is still a good chance of an autumn launch before it gets really cold. If we can arrange a time I'd appreciate your having a test drive and giving comments on performance as you have experience with a much wider range of boats than I do. That would not change anything on this boat of course but could be useful for anyone thinking of a similar design using Kayak Foundry.

I have glassed inside the deck and hull now. Used the cheap glass for under the deck as it will not be seen. The wet out was easier than when I tried it on the hull but still took some effort. I suspect the main problem is the tightness of the weave. In the hull I had a few bubbles and some dry areas near the edges but nothing to worry about. The glass conformed really well with no need to cut at the corners.

Put some extra layers of glass under the deck in front of and behind the cockpit as these are likely to take more stress with fittings being added there and my weight being on the rear during entry/exit.

Finished the coaming a couple of weeks ago and been working toward joining the hull and deck since then.

Built a solid section in behind the bow using blocks of timber glued together and also put in locating strips for the bulheads.

Last night a litle epoxy was applied all round the edges then the two parts were taped together.
Today the inside seams were taped. Length of tape to use on each side seam was measured along the outside of the boat.

Really into the painfully slow fiddly bits now. Feathering the edges of glass tape is always a problem for me - just don't seem to have the technique right. It gets there in the end but takes weeks of epoxy application/sanding cycles.

Since the last post the outside glass has gone on the join and been filled a couple of times, the bow rope hole is done, the rear bulkhead is mostly done and the skeg is partially built up.

The bulkhead has a hatch so the structure on the back of the bulkhead is to provide a lip with a rubber seal for the hatch. Still to decide on a method of closure.

Also managed to squeeze in making a cockpit cover out of ripstop nylon to help keep the inside clean when not in use.

Al,ost at the stage where it can be put in the water now. Plan is to have a go to see how it behaves and then finish it off afterward.

Bulkhead hatch is set up with concealed bungee closure but I think this may have to be changed as it's too hard to use when that far back inside the hull (it's a good method for hatches on the deck). In keeping with the recycled timber theme the hooks for the bungees are made from prunings off one of my Mongolian Pear trees.

Installing the bulkhead was difficult because it is a fair way back from the cockpit. The easiest way to work on it was to put it upside down on the yak rack and stand under it with head in the cockpit.

Keel is finished - well the Mk1 version is anyway. I am half expecting to have to change it but hoping it will be OK as is.

It may get wet this weekend but plans for various things have ended up scuttled a few times lately so it's all doubtful.

looking superb Bob
would love to be there when you wet her bottom.
AJ

Thanks AJ,

This afternoon doesn't look like it will happen - are you free tomorrow afternoon? I'm thinking Wearing St at about 2 or 3 ish would be good. Still not definite yet but if we set a time then I have a reason to stick to it.