seaclipper build

[gagepants]

I'm gathering materials and will soon begin the build of a John Marples designed Seaclipper 24. Curious to know who else out there is building one of these or another Seaclipper model. Anyone out there?

[Charly]

Hi gagepants,

Welcome to the forum!

I hope you will keep us updated with progress reports and photos, and good luck with your build.

[apollo_clipper]

Hi gagepants,

I've just ordered the plans for the SeaClipper 20 from John Marples, and I should start building in the next few weeks.

Have you started your SeaClipper 24 build yet? If so, how is it going?

Also, what brand of epoxy are you planning on using?

Are you going to use douglas fir for timber? I've been quite shocked on how expensive douglas fir is here in Tampa, FL compared to southern yellow pine. I've received quotes for 2x12 douglas fir at 9 dollars a linear foot!

Cheers,

EJD

[gagepants]

One of these days I'll post some pictures of the build, but that might distract me from finishing the damn thing!
Aeromarine epoxy. The price is right- about a third of West- but it's no frills epoxy. If the temp is too low it takes quite a while to set up, but like I say, the price is right. Doesn't blush as bad as others I've used, but I still scrub it.
I thought about the wood species for a while, and while spruce would have a better weight penalty, Fir is a little more rot resistant. I ended up just following John Marples materials list.
The $9 per foot seems really steep! I'd stick to 2 X 6 or 2 X 8 to cut the stringers out of as they are more evenly flat sawn, so when you rip off the 3/4" stringers and braces they come out quartersawn with the vertical grain the right way for the strength you are looking for. Don't bother looking for clear lumber at a yard- just go to home depot and pick through the stacks for the clearest straightest boards you can find. I actually found better lumber there than at the lumberyard I go to for my construction biz.

[apollo_clipper]

Hi Gage,

Thanks for the epoxy info. I've been studying the sea clipper build plans this weekend, and I'll begin building the assembly table, like scott watts at seaworthy solutions did on the first sea clipper 20 that was built.

How difficult was it building the strong back for the sea clipper 24?

[OffPitch]

I am in the middle of a build of the Seaclipper 24 1 Ama built and preparing to glass the 2nd.

[gagepants]

Apollo- I haven't made a strongback yet, but will be doing so for the center hull hopefully in august after I hopefully finish both amas. I figure it's just basic construction- make it rigid and strong- how hard could it be?

Offpitch- when do you hope to launch?

[OffPitch]

I was hoping for late summer but I think I am falling behind. Reality would be ready for early next spring.

[gagepants]

I'm hoping to launch as early as I can next season, but reality always has a way of throwing delays into plans.

[OffPitch]

Where is your build located? I would love to see how it is going and share some ideas.

[gagepants]

I'm in the southwest corner of MA in Egremont. It's been moving right along but I've just started a big renovation job and am going to have to find time for a restaurant renovation simultaneously, so I'm afraid I'm about to slow way down for the next month or so. I suppose I'm lucky to be so busy, but I can still whine a little bit!

[OffPitch]

Your almost as far from me as you can be and still be in Mass. I know the busy feeling my prograss came to a screaching hault this spring and I am just now starting to make some progress.