My (Sort Of) Sea Knight Build

[JimmY]

Hi Fraser,

Nice progress and boy do I want your shop!

Nice score on the hand planes. Double check the screw locations on the side planking. On my tumble home, the screws were a bit too low and I nicked up my block plane pretty good trimming the sides.

For limbers, I used a "dish" bit in my router. Like Bill said watch for blow out since you're cutting across the grain. I tried clamping a backer board on the frame to minimize it, but the Sapele I'm using blew out on the front side. If you have a sharp bit it should be no big problem.

Where did you get that respirator? Looks nice for everyday dust protection.

[froberts]

....AND I'M BACK!

It's been a while since my last post. After welcoming our first baby girl to the family my free time has been rather limited. Nevertheless, I continue to forge on and have been increasingly happy just enjoying the process. Since my last update, I've managed to get all the planking on and sanded. Screw holes have been filled and I am now working on fairing and sanding the hull in preparation for glassing and then paint!












I set up my gopro and filmed the entire planking process, which I've put together for anyone that wants to see it! (if only it went this fast in real life! ) The first link is at about 1000x speed, the second is the same video but at 500x. Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/T-S_2OgG3uI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KBiKs-RFn0

[mrintense]

Looking good Fraser. I'm always excited to see another cruiser being built. She looks a lot like mine when upside down. Very cool.

[froberts]

Its been a busy summer for work and family so I haven't been able to complete as much as I'd hoped.

Because of photobucket's change in policy, I see that all of the pictures are now gone. I've included the following link for those that want to look back on all my progress pictures.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/j9hWEscYARQgvL6A3

Currently, I am fully engulfed in sanding hell spending lots of long nights trying to get that fresh from the mold look. (I don't think I'll get there, but it's all about the effort!)
I'll be sure to take some more pictures tonight.

[mrintense]

Fraser, good to hear from you again. Don't worry, the sanding is part of the price for getting to the flip. Looking forward to photos. as for photos, i would suggest adding them as attachments instead of hosting them and adding them as links.

[hoodman]

It looks exactly like mine when I was at that stage. There's a point where things seem really messy. Then you just keep going and eventually get to a point where you say "good enough."

[Bill Edmundson]

Isn't it amazing how perfect and good enough get closer together!

Bill

[hoodman]

Isn't it amazing how perfect and good enough get closer together!

Bill

Sometimes perfect and adequate are synonyms!

[vupilot]

Perfection is the enemy of Completion. You just have to decide which one you want more.

[froberts]

Because Matt and Carl asked so nicely, I figured I had to post a quick update!

Spray Rails have been cut, fitted, and glued!


Here you can see that one side has been epoxied on and the front angle has been cut....it took a lot of looking at it upside down and thinking before I worked up the courage to cut the angle. But I'm happy with how it turned out. You can also see my skeg dry fitted.


Both sides of the spray rail are epoxied along with the skeg.


Next up I went to work building up the transom edge with epoxy.



With all the epoxy setting up I decided that now was the time to get going on the cradle for the big flip.




My progress has definitely slowed down as work picks up and whenever I do have some free time and the choice is between boat building or spending time with my little one, it's no contest! With that said, seeing fellow new dad Matt getting back into his build with some serious progress has motivated me to get back into my previous groove. Once the little one is in bed I try to put in at least a couple hours. Last night I got a seal coat of epoxy on the skeg and spray rails, after a light sanding ill put one final coat of epoxy on the whole boat and then let it cure before primer (which I just picked up today.

[hoodman]

Thanks for sharing! I often do a few things after 8:30pm.

[froberts]

As I've waited for the final coat of epoxy to gas out I've spent quite a bit of time running my hand over the boat looking for any little imperfections (or rather big imperfections...cause there are tons of little ones) that need to be sanded. I've very happy with how the hull looks and can't wait to see it transform once it has some paint on it.



Also finished the cradle!


Question: I am using Interprotect2000 primer, do I need to give the hull a quick sand and then wash down or, as the instructions read, am I ok to go with just washing down with a scotch brite pad?

[mrintense]

Looks good Fraser. I remember doing what you said you are doing, running my hand over the hull. Did a lot of that.

One thing you might want to consider is either adding another set of casters in the center of the trolley spans or if you are planning on blocking it up like I have, then add blocking under the center. I spend a lot of time in my boat, climbing in and out and you want to make sure the frames are going to take the stress as the boat gets heavier.

[froberts]

Thanks for the advice Carl, I think I will go ahead and get a couple more casters for the middle. would be a shame if something was to happen and that was the reason.

I spent a couple hours this afternoon beginning to prep for paint. Managed to get the bottom all sanded and ready to go, just have to finish the sides.


I did also give the transom another sanding. If there is one part of this hull I'd like to get close to "perfect" it's this. As you can see in the picture its nearly there with a few low spots along each side.

[DrBryanJ]

Looks really nice Fraser