JEM Watercraft

Your gunnels probably changed the opening dimension a bit. Shouldn't be a problem.

G'day Art,

I love your work and your gunwhales mate. (Hoop pine?) Your boat is going to be a beauty!

Q1) Is there a distinct possibility that I have missed a step as I have noticed the beam width narrowing with the install of the gunwales. Could this be spread out again with the midsection thwart install. I pinked a spreader in and heard some lets say creaking sounds

Definately warning signs! STOP!!

Your gunwhales have found their own beautiful curve and the strength of them has transferred it to the hull shape. Don't try to force them out. They will be fine as will your boat. Fit your thwarte to the boat as Jack says. I would use timber.

Q2) What if, any, does the varnish coat pick up as far as a filler goes, do I need to have an absolute glass finish before the application of the varnish coats go on?

Mate, this is what I do.

Using a random Orbital Sander (ROS) and 120 grit, I sand all the high spots, lumps and bumps off the top coat of epoxy. I hand sand where the ROS won't go. As you progress, you will see the sanded areas come up dull with lots of little shiny spots inbetween them. I use the 120 grit till all those little shiny spots are allmost gone- or to about the size of pin heads. ( they are low spots in your resin)

Now, I change to 240 grit and remove all the pin heads.

Vacume all the dust out and wipe down with a damp shamois - several times.

Your varnish will only be as good as the preperation you put into it.

Matt,
There is something very addictive about all this having a ball.thx

Welcome to my world mate.

Artfull Dodger

Building wood boats can become very addictive , but it is a healthy habit and offers great stress relief and then a ton of fun when you use them .......

I'm building my , I think it is the 11th but will not swear to it , just want to use and paddle it on some camping trips coming up this fall here in the states.
As you get older and the boats get made , then loaned or given out to other folks for there fun so you can make more , a body does lose count but this is not a numbers game , it is for fun , yours , mine and anyone who is a friend and needs a good boat to enjoy.

My daughters and there husbands claim them as fast as I can make them but I have slipped a few to some friends.

Chuck.

KJ, OS, HM, Jem,

Thanks for all your ideas, feedback & support.

KJ,

I had it all wrong with the thwart, I had greater concerns about it folding in,wrong again.thx

OS,

Poetry in motion I read out aloud your comments with expression from a hemmingway novel to my partner, whom quickly reminded me that she has recently been widowed by my new passion. She also reminded me about the $140 blouse she destroyed when the gunwale flicked up and pasted epoxy over it. Some people just don't get it.

HM,

Thanks for your support I ran off to Bunnings (Walmart) to pick up some supplies to supplement my arsenal.

1) 125mm OSD Grades 60 - 240 grit
2) triangle detail sander 60 - 240 grit

Once underway I continued with your and come up with the following to which I am with (see enclosed)
Hoop Pine ( Plantation up your way)

Matt,

You are patiently watching behind the scenes abetting my every move, Im in good hands.

Art,

don't sand any more mate!

Any more and you remove cloth and weaken the boat.

I would use a quality foam roller to apply the varnish, lighty hand sanding between coats with around 400 grit paper

Three coats will probable be enough but more is definately better.

After the final coat, sand back with 1200 grit wet & dry , polish with good auto polish and buff well. (I use a supercheap leccy car polisher) saves a lot of elbow grease.

Oh yeah - Nice Haines in the background of your first piccies too mate.

Looks like he's using the weave fill method that is spelled out in the plans:

-Light coat of epoxy
-Light sand
-Light coat of epoxy
-Light sand
-Light coat of epoxy

Am I correct?

Jem,

Correct, yes I am working to the plans that condition light on light off; however I am now convinced that foam rollers are great for saturation and second coat. After sanding back I think the best third and fourth coat application is by brush applied with the best expertise possible, layed off after a set time.

Art,

You are fitting in very well. However, you must get more control of your behavior to mold the missus' opinions of your new hobby.

Fer instance, have her wear only clothes which she wants to get rid of anyway when she gets around the boat. I have dried epoxy patches in some clothes that I didn't want them in, but that was my own fault. Can't have her thinking ill of epoxy.