Started building a SCAMP sailboat, don't worry , keeping the Compac 16!

[Jason]

Hi Everyone,

Hope you're enjoying the winter.  The Compac 16 is tucked away in the garage until spring, and in January I started building a SCAMP sailboat.  So far I have finished the oars, and am now building the center board and rudder.  Next will be the spars and mast, and in spring I will begin with the hull.  I think it'll probably take 1.5 - 2 years of weekend work.

The build-log of the boat and the oars will be kept updated on  www.argobuilder.com    I couldn't resist putting some photo's and info on my Compac 16 on the site too!

Never built a boat before so this will be an interesting experience. 

Jason

[GeeW]

Nice website you have there.
I found building a brilliant, rewarding and mentally satisfying experience. Do not set a tight timetable as it will only spoil everything.
On the other hand do something (even just a 30 min project) every week and then one day the boat will need launching.
There are times during the build you wish you had never started... they soon pass when the next little bit comes together.

Gordon

[Vipersdad]

Well, lookie here.  Jason, I sent you a PM on SCR.  No need to reply to it.

This will be great project.

George

[Jason]

Thanks for the encouragement Gordon and George!  I'm sure I will need it by the time this is all said and done.

-Jason

[Salty19]

Jason,

Very exciting project!  You are absolutely welcome, and encouraged, to use our "Boat Building" subsection to document your SCAMP build in addition to your blog.

I'll move this thread over there to continue as you wish.

[brackish]

There are times during the build you wish you had never started... they soon pass when the next little bit comes together.


Well, I've certainly hit the times you wish you had never started......Pretty sure I'll have to be completely finished before I get to that "soon pass" stage.

[GeeW]

Brackish,
Look at it as 500 small projects...all will have to be done at  some point, so if times are bad, go and make something else for a while..I dunno... say a cleat  or a frame or a pair of backing pads, then come back to the problem piece.
Whilst working on another bit your brain is very likely to  'chunter' on the original issue and will resolve it. May take a day, week or even longer.
Also remember that there is more than one correct or right answer to any of these boat building problems. So don't worry if your idea is different.
Most of all relax...
Frame of mind is everything.

[brackish]

I'm just frustrated because I'm maybe ten days from finished and got caught by the weather, too cold to work epoxy or cat poly paint.  Those are ten boat building days, you know where you work an hour and then wait 24 for full cure.

[Duckie]

It is minus 12 at my house right now and I am in the middle of fixing, upgrading my three boats.  My shop is set at 40 degrees to save on propane, while still being able to work comfortably.  I have found that for little projects or interior projects, that a 110 volt electric heater and a cardboard box work wonders.  Depending on the size of the project, I can goo up what I am working on at a shamefully slow pace and then  get it to cook off quite quickly.  Building a sailboat turns out to be mostly working on a million small projects, so this technique helps keep things moving along even in the coldest winter.

Al

[brackish]

It is minus 12 at my house right now and I am in the middle of fixing, upgrading my three boats.  My shop is set at 40 degrees to save on propane, while still being able to work comfortably.  I have found that for little projects or interior projects, that a 110 volt electric heater and a cardboard box work wonders.  Depending on the size of the project, I can goo up what I am working on at a shamefully slow pace and then  get it to cook off quite quickly.  Building a sailboat turns out to be mostly working on a million small projects, so this technique helps keep things moving along even in the coldest winter.

Al

Unfortunately, I'm out of any small projects that can be done off boat.  I'm fairing the inside and the skiff will not fit in my shop.  So the build is taking place under an open carport.  Now I could spend a couple of days and a lot of money to build a temporary enclosure on the carport and finish it fairly quickly.  Alternatively, I can wait about 45 days and finish it then.  Second option wins.  And where I live, I might pick up a day or so in February where the temp stays above 50 long enough to get something done.  I could also buy a hotter catalyst but I've got enough money in this thing and don't plan to build another.