Building the houseboat

Here I am building the keel of the house boat.
She will be built outside. The goop in between the timbers is DeWitts neoprene sealant, not affected by the weather, shine ot rain, or snow.
The 1/2" bolts are all hot dipped galvanized. The timber is hard pine 3 1/2" x 3 1/2".

 

Blizzard season seems to be over.................

Keep us updated Daniel.

 

I hope it goes well for you with smooth cruising later.

 

Thank you, I apreciate your good words.
Well I have to beat the blizzard season, its comming back in December, so I have to go fast if I don't want to looks like building a snowman!!
Fortunatly I design her to be built easely.
Daniel

 

You might be an optimist, if you think it won't come back until December....

Good luck with the build. It's nice to see someone piling into a project they enjoy.

 

yeah, good luck with it

 

At least someone is working around here.....

 

Thank you all for your support.
The transom, a nice piece of 125Lbs built of lumber 1-1/2" by 3-1/2" edge fastened with 3/8" by 12" spikes is now done. Latter on it will be put it in place and bolted.
Daniel

 

How´s Loudoun going further?

 

The flat steel bar shoe is whited and painted with boiled coal tar, ready to be put in place, transom done ready to be bolted, the deadwood bolted, framing in progress, floors done and bolted to the keel.
The counterstern is on work in the shop.
The stem is done, rabbett cut. Will be bolted in a week time. The stemson are allready bolted.
A lot of sub-construction in the shop before being put in place. And it is a good thing since the weather was rainy and unusualy cold (32F - 45F)
Some pictures will be put very soon.
Thanks for the interrest, it is a fun project, keep me in shape and I hope to loose some weight in the process

Daniel

 

This construction is an experience to try the "time capsule" theory. Just kidding but not much.
I built in the past numerous vessel, all size, some the same length as a tall man, and some passing the 70' mark. This is the range approximately I was building. I had a shop, but not for the boat, for the tools only and large enough to do some carpentry.
The lofting been made in segments.
Building outside require when its wood, big timbers, no glue, and adapting the construction system and procedure knowing that the weather will decide for you what's next. So the plan B was the norm.
But with all the difficulties, the impracticality, it is one of the thing I miss the most in my life.
I wanted, I needed to be outside a last time to built a boat. This one is not big, but it is the same logic. And this time I am alone.
I designed her with over scantling, to be able to feel my timber, the fastening are also quite heavy for the size, but I need to have a real bolt or spike in my hand, I use a lot of tar, linseed oil, I need the smell.
I need to be outside with large piece of wood with goop in my hand, and let the weather telling me what to do.
Been the designer allowed me to design the way I wanted her to be built. A time capsule
And a lot of good memories sometimes come to me, and I look at my vessel in reduction and smile.
It is perhaps over sentimental, but this is the reason why I am building the way I do.
I have the fantastic chance to do it, and I realize that.
Daniel

 

I get that. Poignant.

 

well written Daniel , some of us have a need to build something solid, you describe most of my working life

 

Well put Daniel. I wish there were more around with that approach. Sadly quite a few will understand what you are talking.

Regards
Richard

 

This is the keel upside down with the floors bolted and the scarfs too.
This is the last coat of coal tar before receiving the steel shoe also primed in
coal tar.
After that the keel will be put back right side up.
Daniel