New Build - 16' Prospector

Arctic · Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 5:36 pm Post subject: New Build - 16' Prospector

Well, I am back after a long pause.
I have still been looking at the forum regularly and with interest. Still have been very much enjoying wooden boats.
This years finds me starting a new Bear Mountain project- the 16' Prospector.
Started a few days ago setting up the Strongback and cutting molds.
It is nice to have done this before.

I have a mix of different sized BC Red Cedar to use- a friend has kindly given it to me for this project. I will be using 1 inch by 1/4 inch planks.

Looking forward to a relaxing and rewarding project.
Here is the progress so far"

http://s21.photobucket.com/albums/b265/arctic971/Prospector/

Mark
_________________
"The journey is the reward"- Tao saying

Arctic · Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 4:29 pm Post subject:

Added a few updated photo's to the album
_________________
"The journey is the reward"- Tao saying

Arctic · Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 6:20 pm Post subject:

Started bending stems today- Using Oak.
Put a photo in the album - check it out.
_________________
"The journey is the reward"- Tao saying

Arctic · Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 6:07 pm Post subject:

More photos posted today.
_________________
"The journey is the reward"- Tao saying

Arctic · Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 7:20 pm Post subject:

Oh Yeah,

Gorrila Glue for the stems. That stuff is amazing
_________________
"The journey is the reward"- Tao saying

Arctic · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 6:34 pm Post subject:

First strip on today, along with stems.

Stems-Oak
Strip(s)- Western Red Cedar

Photo posted.
_________________
"The journey is the reward"- Tao saying

Glen Smith · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 6:52 pm Post subject:

Hi Mark, I see you still have "the bug". I am watching your build closely.
_________________
Need books, plans, building materials or outfitting supplies? Bear Mountain has it all: http://www.bearmountainboats.com/products.htm
Glen Smith in Baie-St-Paul.

Arctic · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 8:37 pm Post subject:

Thanks Glen,

I don't think that "bug" ever really leaves you once you build a wooden boat.
This is the fourth boat I have done in 5 years. For the record: 2 Canoes, 1 Kayak, and restoration of 1 antique Adirandack Guideboat. I love them all for their own own special & unique characteristics.

This boat came about because a friend of mine had a pile of western red cedar he didn't know what to do with. I immedialtley saw there was some great wood there, It also just so happened that about 6 months ago I ordered plans from Bear Mountain for the prsopector. I just can't stand to see nice wood sit there stuffed away in a corner.

Well I started Jan 12th and here we are. I work on this boat each day for an hour before work, then an hour after. I go to bed each night smelling like the red cedar I have been ripping the strips out of.
Very satisfying indeed.

I would think that after all this time you too have a good number of boats under your belt. I would be curious to know just how many. And your thoughts on which one is your "favorite" if there is one?? Is that a fair quetion?

Mark
_________________
"The journey is the reward"- Tao saying

Glen Smith · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 9:24 pm Post subject:

Favorites?

All of them!

The one I am the most proud of is my very first build, a Hiawatha which I still have.

I have built 7 kayaks, 3 canoes and a few scale models. 4 kayaks are no longer mine. I have two daughters and they each want a kayak so I will only have one left after that.

I have an unfinished scale model kayak and I also have an old canoe (105 to 150 years old) that needs restoration.

Unfortunately, health problems have forced me to hang up the tool belt. I hope I can still restore the old canoe by working outdoors so I have plenty of ventilation.

There are also several of my designs that have been built in various parts of the world and I have assisted many builders to get through the process of designing their own.

I guess its time to look for some new personal interests. No, I don't feel like writing any books on boat building.
_________________
Need books, plans, building materials or outfitting supplies? Bear Mountain has it all: http://www.bearmountainboats.com/products.htm
Glen Smith in Baie-St-Paul.

Arctic · Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 11:31 am Post subject:

Just coming up around the bilge now
Photo posted .

Mark
_________________
"The journey is the reward"- Tao saying

Arctic · Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 5:36 pm Post subject:

I am going to now start stripping the Football using the level plank method as opposed to the sheer method. That way I will avoid the compound bends with the short strips I have.
What you see so far is composed of strips between 4-6 feet, each butt jointed to each other. The edges of the planks are straight as opposed to bead and cove.
This will require more fairing in the end, but I am pleased with the results so far.

Why use the short strips? Well as noted before a friend gave me the wood, and none of it was over 6 feet in length. But it is nice wood and I could not see it go to waste.

Why no Bead and Cove? Let's just say I wanted to try something more traditional. I am kind of that way.

Any and all comments/questions are welcome.

Here is the link to the photos:

http://s21.photobucket.com/albums/b265/arctic971/Prospector/

Mark
_________________
"The journey is the reward"- Tao saying

Arctic · Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 10:27 am Post subject:

One month today since I started this project. Placed some recent pictures in the gallery.

Mark
_________________
"The journey is the reward"- Tao saying

Arctic · Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 3:22 pm Post subject:

A couple of photo's uploaded from today. The Bottom is about done, a few gaps to fill in still. I I will finish planking and then cut the shear line next.
Later on I will fair the boat with a spokeshave and plane, followed by a good sanding. Then the messy part.

Mark
_________________
"The journey is the reward"- Tao saying

switters · Joined: 29 Dec 2009 Posts: 4

keep it up, I'm using your build for my own inspiration.

Arctic · Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 12:20 pm Post subject:

Today I rough cut my shear lines using a dremel saw. Marked the line out in red crayons. A bit of planing and sanding will get those ship shape. Pulled about 2/3 rds of the staples- my hand is sore now. Did a bit of fairing with a rabbit plane and spokeshave. Once the fairing is done, sanding will be next, then installing and gluing the outer Oak stems.
A couple of new photographs in the album.

Mark
_________________
"The journey is the reward"- Tao saying