Post
by Andy Garrett » Fri Dec 05, 2014 9:43 am
When I first read this, I winced! My first reaction was, "BURN IT!"
HOWEVER..., that opinion is based on MY experience. My Zip moves across very rough midwest waters mostly on holiday weekends, and near 30mph. The violent slapping of the forward hull against wakes and swells can be quite alarming to the occupants. A Zip built of red oak and standard exterior grade plywood--to be used the way mine is used--is absolutely unthinkable.
The issue for me is the ability of the wood to hold the fasteners and bond with the epoxy.
My hull is subject to more violent forces than I ever imagined it would be. I am glad that I hand-selected straight grained, quarter sawn mahogany for every frame and longitudinal member. My stem, transom knee, and transom are made of doubled 3/4" marine grade plywood. My hull ply is Hydrotek. Hydrotek is difficult to work with, but I consider these to be top grade materials where strength and durability are concerned. I also used Glen-L epoxies which are formulated for these woods and solid bronze screws. My frames are double gusseted, etc, etc. My hull is so strong that it never even creaked once when I was standing, squatting, and crawling around in it during the interior build.
YOUR experience will be starkly different.
The Bo Jest is rated for a top speed of 8kts (9.2 mph). The waters up north are typically calmer than those of the wind-swept prairie. Even in rough water, the forces endured by your hull will be vastly less than those endued by higher performance boats. Using quality fasters with carefully predrilled pilot holes and marine epoxies, I would not hesitate to take a ride in your boat when completed. In fact, if I were to build the Bo Jest, I would consider strongly using the same woods you have if I could hand select quarter sawn lumber and premium exterior ply. I might double up on the glass for the hull, but the cost savings would be very tempting.
Bottom line:
Keep going! Your boat will last for a long time if you build it well.
Andy Garrett
Perhaps the slowest Zip build in Glen-L history...