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Stripper Troutboat Update |
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by Larry Pullon - Little Rock, Arkansas - USA |
The strips are on for the back section of the folding trout boat, and fairing is underway. The only real challenge (other than making the strips) was the tunnel area where I had a couple 90 degree bends to deal with. The front section is going to be way easier.
The bottom is made of 3/8" strips and the sides are 1/4". You can see the transition point on one of the side pictures - already sanded away on the other side.
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The bottom is made of 3/8" strips and the sides are 1/4".
(click images for larger views) |
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Next is sand, sand, sand, fill a few seams and defects with sawdust and epoxy. Then a couple coats of 8oz glass and epoxy and paint, and other stuff, and go a fishing.
It is too early to say if it is worth all the extra effort for a fishing boat. But it looks like it is going to be a good'un!
| It is too early to say if it is worth all the extra effort for a fishing boat. But it looks like it is going to be a good'un! |
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Glass is on the back half of the folding trout boat. Looks OK to me - a whole lot like the "vision". I still like building strip hulls - the secret is to be consistent making and shaping the strips. Millions of them - each exactly the same. Or you could do it the way I do - get real good at fixing screw ups!
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The only real challenge (other than making the strips) was the tunnel area where I had a couple 90 degree bends to deal with. |
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I was going to put 2 layers of 8oz fiberglass cloth - only I forgot I didn't have 8oz - I have 12oz which is fairly heavy. So, I just put one layer of cloth and about 1/2 a gallon of epoxy resin. I think that cloth was e-glass - whatever it was it was limper than what I have used in the past - a pleasure to work with.
| I just put one layer of cloth and about 1/2 a gallon of epoxy resin. |
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The real colors of the cypress wood show now. One day I am going to figure out how to pick out nice even colored wood at the mill. For now, I will just say all the various patterns and shades are texture - the way I want them to be!
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One day I am going to figure out how to pick out nice even colored wood at the mill. |
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I am going to paint the bottom to about 3" above the chines hunter green and leave a wide strip of bright wood showing down each side (like a woody car - only not). The plan is to leave the inside of the hull bright except for my trademark green carpet - but of course that depends on what it looks like when it is sanded and glassed! If it is as good as the outside - then I will varnish it.
Larry Pullon
More articles by Larry Pullon:
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