UnlikelyBoatBuilder: Building the 10' Atkin Sailing Dinghy "Vintage"

[jalmberg]

Okay! It's finally time to get started on this winter's build!

The goal is to build the William Atkin designed "Vintage" in time for the "I Built It Myself" show at the Wooden Boat Show in Mystic, CT.

Why "Vintage"? Several reasons.

First, I think it's time I tackled a round-bottom boat. Again, I think this is a project that is way above my current skill level, but I'm a real believer in the adage that people can do more than they think they can. Just because I doubt my ability to build such a complicated boat, is no reason to not do it.

Sounds weird, right? Ah well...

Read Blog Post: Building "Vintage"




Clear lumber: John

[jalmberg]

Now that I've cut out the two pieces of my lofting board, it's time to assemble it into one 3/4" x 4' x 13' surface. I also want to white-wash it.

The boat building books (BBBs) discuss lots of ways to assemble the lofting board. Probably the best way is to screw the various panels down on the floor. I didn't want to do this because I didn't want to drill holes in my floor, and also I wanted to be able to move the board if needed, or even lean it up against the wall to get it out of the way...

Read blog post: Lofting Board

Fair lines: John

[jalmberg]

So what is a lofting board for? For lofting, of course.

Lofting is the process of blowing up the relatively small-scale plans you get from your naval architect (in my case, from William Atkin), into full size plans.

This process is thought to be so complicated that many modern architects supply full-size plans to eliminate the need for lofting. Just roll out the plans and start building. But if you don't know how to loft, you can't build about 98% of boats, because full-size plans aren't available.

Plus, you miss out on all the fun of lofting, which really is a kind of relaxing exercise, once you have all your hair torn out...

Read blog post: The Grid

Fair Lines: John

[troy2000]

Looks like you're off to a good start; we'll be keeping track of your progress. And of course, we expect pictures...

[jalmberg]

Originally Posted by troy2000

Looks like you're off to a good start; we'll be keeping track of your progress. And of course, we expect pictures...

I haven't figured out how to take a good picture of a lofting board. That's why I went to the trouble of making a quickie diagram.

I have painted my battens black, so they should make for some good pics. Until I get to that stage (soon) it's a problem!

[jalmberg]

Battens are one of those things that professional boat builders take for granted, I think. They've seen them since their first apprentice days, know what they look like, their different sizes, which batten is right for which curve, and on and on.

Not so for we poor amateurs trying to learn boat building out of books. I must admit they are still a bit of a mystery to me. Such a simple tool. So important. So easy to break!

Read blog post: Battered By Battens

Clear wood: John

[PAR]

John, you seem to have flooded the wood working and boat building sites with links to your blog. Isn't your blog good enough? Is it necessary to seemingly shout, in a half a dozen or more sites about your issues, discoveries and newbie experiences, as a boat builder on a relatively insignificant 10' dinghy?

For example, your membership on this forum and also over at MessingAbout, Cruisers & Sailing, Australia's Wood Work Forum, BYYB.org and who knows where else, have been created solely to self promote this lapstrake endeavor of yours. I mean really, Australia too! Do you think this is just a little over the top? Maybe your enthusiasm would be best spent on your project and updating your own blog. I wonder how much more you've have done on both, had you not spent countless hours signing onto discussion forums and creating a whole bunch more little blogs, about the same thing.

[jalmberg]

Ummm. I build and write for fun

I blog & post mainly for the benefit of newbies even newbier than me. I'm just trying to do my bit to encourage all those people who want to build a boat, but don't think they have the skills.

I don't pretend to be an expert, in fact, I mainly focus on my mistakes on purpose. Firstly because mistakes are the most interesting bits to me, but also to show you don't have to let mistakes stop you.

The beauty of forums is that posts are contained in threads. If you are not interested in a thread, or if it's below your skill level, please feel free to not read!