Installing Framing to Receive Deck Panels
Installed framing around the bow compartment. Took a little math to get the angles just right. The framing is epoxied in the bow. It's cut for the stern, but I ran out of clamps. Tomorrow is another day.
Stern
Taping Interior Joints
Three inch fiberglass tape soaked in epoxy was applied to all interior joints. The boat feels very strong after sealing all the joints with epoxy fillets. The fiberglass tape should make it even stronger. My goal here is to survive the maiden voyage. This should help.
Bow and stern compartments taped
Frame out bow and stern compartments to receive deck panels.
More Thickened Epoxy
I'm applying a the second layer of thickened epoxy over the first layer in all the interior joints. In the photos you can see where the procedure is finished in the rear compartment (stern). The blue tape has been removed there. The amidship section has been taped and is ready to receive the thickened epoxy. The tape makes for a much cleaner line.
Next Step
Apply three inch fiberglass tape to all interior joints
Epoxy Fillets to Hold Everything Together
It's a sticky gooey mess to work with, but hopefully it works miracles. I mixed up thickened epoxy, put it in a small zip lock bag, and squeezed it into the joints. It's a very nasty job, but it will look good on my resume' if I ever decide to become a cake decorator.
Next Step
After giving it a day or two to cure the temporary zip ties will be removed, and a larger epoxy fillet will be applied over the small ones.
All Stitched Up
I completed stitching all the panels together with the temporary zip ties. The bulkheads and bow and stern transoms are in place. They fit pretty well except for just a little sanding I had to do on one.
Next Step
Apply a bead of thickened epoxy to all joints between the zip ties.
It's Starting to Resemble a Boat
Today I stitched the lower side panels to the bottom. I had my doubts when I started the process (minor panic attack), but soon it became apparent that it would work. I am amazed at the talent boat designers have and the technical skill it takes to put the plans on paper. Thanks to Ross Lillistone for this cool design. The plastic zip ties temporarily hold everything together until thick epoxy fillets are placed in all the seams.
Nest Step
Install the bulkheads, front and rear transoms, and upper side panels.
Panels Cut
These panels will make up the outer shape of the hull.
Next Step
Cut the bulkheads and bow and stern transoms. Then I'll begin to put it all together. It's exciting to watch how the shape of these panels will form the hull.
Taking Shape
Very tedious work - plotting points to 1/16 inch, driving finishing nails into them, curving the long batten I made yesterday around them, and connecting the dots. But still, it's fun watching the panels take shape. It's hard work, and it's around 95 degrees in the shop, but I perfected the art of taking breaks years ago.
Next Step
Cut the panels out.
Making a Long Batten
I scarfed two pieces of wood together with thickened epoxy to make a long flexible batten for marking the long fair curves. While the epoxy cures, I'll be marking the points on the plywood.
Next Step
Mark the outlines for the various components of the Water Rat and cut them out.
Butt Joint Results
Removed the weights, clamps, boards, and plastic, and I am pleased with the results. I sanded the top side of the joint and will add another coat of epoxy to smooth it out a little more. It feels very strong.
After sanding and applying another coat of epoxy I will let it cure overnight. Then I will turn it over and do the same procedure to the other side. It will soon be ready for drawing the nesting outlines of all the panels for the Wood Rat onto the plywood. I'm glad the butt joint is done. I was worried about it.
Next Step
Tomorrow after the epoxy in the joint cures I will sand it and add another coat
Fiberglass Butt Joint Procedure by Dave Carnell:
I have gone to laying polyethylene film on a smooth surface, laying the wetted out fiberglass tape (I use cloth to avoid the selvage) on that, epoxy coating the face of the plywood that goes against that, laying the plywood on the wet tape, filling any least void between the plywood edges with thickened epoxy (this is critical, as any voids between the butting plywood edges can make the joint weak), epoxy coating the upper plywood joint surface, laying on fiberglass and wetting it out, covering with poly film, laying on a smooth board, and weighting the assembly with concrete blocks.
www.simplicityboats.com/epoxyknowhowcarnel.htm
Other Water Rats
Here are a few photos I uploaded of Water Rats that others have built:
The title of the blog leads you to believe I'm an old salt who's built many boats. Well, not true. I've ordered many plans over the years and dreamt about building one but never took the plunge. So I thought the blog might give me a proverbial kick in the rear along with some inspiration. I've decided that it's logical to start with something simple, so I have begun with the Water Rat designed by Ross Lillistone. The plans are available at Duckworks.
www.duckworks.com/product-p/ross-waterrat-id.htm
rosslillistonewoodenboat.blogspot.com/2013/04/water-rat-in-4mm-plywood-sailing-version.html
Finished Product Fittings installed in bow and stern decks. The Water Rat is all finished, named, and ready to launch. I am still working ...
