Help Needed with Boat Plans

[rwatson]

Originally Posted by Meanz Beanz

Which one did you get Mr Watson?

I did a strip plank canoe for the experience -

I think clear finish strip planking is for real enthusiasts.

Will do my next one in ply thanks

[Meanz Beanz]

Just by the way...I hear that the Botecote strips make all the difference, T & G, cost more but less hassle, greater speed, better finish and no scarfing required. I think I'd be temped to use them if going for a clear finish.

Cheers
MBz

[rlmccook54]

I have ordered the "Wooden Boat" issue #51 which has an article on the wayfarer. It should be here soon and I will post and let you know how it is.

[rwatson]

Originally Posted by Meanz Beanz

Just by the way...I hear that the Botecote strips make all the difference, T & G, cost more but less hassle, greater speed, better finish and no scarfing required. I think I'd be temped to use them if going for a clear finish.

Cheers
MBz

Thats what they want you to believe - but the alignment of planks is easy to do with custom made 'pegs', and a lot of the coving is wasted because so many planks on the smaller boats have to be cut to shape, leaving the good old flat edge again.

On a bigger boat with a lot of straight runs it might help, but then you could just as well use plywood.

It doesnt help avoid scarfing , as the coving is only on the edges, not the ends. I had all my strips well and truly long enough for the canoe, but on a large project I guess it is one more 'gotcha'.

I think strip plank is a mugs game. If you get a really good surface, its too good to actually use. I saw one canoe advertised for sale last year as 'in new condition - hardly used, been inside a restaurant as a decoration for 2 years".

Thats about all you can do with them unless you want to scratch and dent the finish in very short time. The guys who get the really posh finish use very light cloth, and very expensive epoxy. Us guys that expect the grandkids to spread fish scales all over wouldnt get away with it.

[Meanz Beanz]

Originally Posted by rwatson

It doesnt help avoid scarfing

They say you don't need to if you don't have full length runs. ?!

Maybe strip is just not so good for small boats with clear finishes. ?!

[rlmccook54]

I got the "Wooden Boat" issue in the mail with the article on the Wayfarer kit. It looks a lot like what I am trying to build and may suit your needs as well. It is not stitch and glue. The author of the article bought his kit from Wayland Marine of Vancouver, Canada. I haven't looked into them and this article is in a 1983 issue of "Wooden Boat." I will share the article with you if you are interested. Email me at rlmccook54@verizon.net