Search found 244 matches

by sluggo
Sat Sep 12, 2009 11:01 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Launch of Freedom 17'9"
Replies: 7
Views: 4751

Looks fantastic!
by sluggo
Mon Sep 07, 2009 7:13 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Freedom 15 launched
Replies: 10
Views: 5705

Hi guys, The canoe weighs in at 57lbs after all the hardware and stuff is installed. I placed the foreward seat right as the plans indicate, x a factor of 1.08 to make up the difference from 15' to 16'. For the rear seat the plans give a range. I simply put the seat at the furtherst aft position as ...
by sluggo
Sun Sep 06, 2009 10:16 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Freedom 15 launched
Replies: 10
Views: 5705

Thanks everyone, and thanks for all of the help and suggestions along the way!
by sluggo
Sun Sep 06, 2009 3:23 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Freedom 15 launched
Replies: 10
Views: 5705

Freedom 15 launched

Last weekend I launched my Freedom 15 (stretched to 16'). It's already back in the shop, since I haven't varnished it yet. I'm going to start spraying it today with System 3 wr-lpu. http://shmish.smugmug.com/photos/641182774_vWGbn-L.jpg http://shmish.smugmug.com/photos/637869642_xwoZZ-L.jpg http://s...
by sluggo
Sun Sep 06, 2009 10:44 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Update on Stapless Freedom17 /w Rolling Bevel
Replies: 29
Views: 16498

hot glue....
from Hotstik HS-300, 7/16"
by sluggo
Sat Sep 05, 2009 8:20 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Update on Stapless Freedom17 /w Rolling Bevel
Replies: 29
Views: 16498

I haven't been able to find my notes which contained the info on the hot glue I bought. I'll keep looking. I gave the edges of my plywood forms a wipe with shellac prior to stripping. I didn't have problems with the hot glue - it held when it was supposed to and knocked off okay when I removed the h...
by sluggo
Wed Sep 02, 2009 12:38 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: to cap or not cap the inwales and outwales
Replies: 5
Views: 2592

I just let the cedar sheer show, sandwiched between ash and cherry gunwales. I also had to add some thickened epoxy to fill in a few gaps. I thought it would look pretty dorky, but in the end, it turned out pretty stunning. The dark cedar and even darker glue/epoxy looks great between the lighter as...
by sluggo
Tue Sep 01, 2009 10:34 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: solo seat for Freedom 15
Replies: 3
Views: 2174

Vann, maybe place the back of the seat where the plans indicate the kneeling thwart is? I believe the kneeling thwart is 16" aft of center. So if your seat is 12" deep then it would be centered around 10" aft. You could also consider a sliding seat in that vicinity.
by sluggo
Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:07 am
Forum: Paddles, Techniques, Boat Transportation, Storage & Maintenance
Topic: solo paddling technique
Replies: 5
Views: 21178

solo paddling technique

Hi, I took out my Freedom 15 yesterday. After toodling around with the family I took it out by myself. I found it a bit tricky to paddle solo. I was trying to use a solo thwart, and here is what I noticed. 1. The beam on the f15 is 33.5", and I think the width at the solo thwart is about 32&quo...
by sluggo
Sat Aug 29, 2009 3:16 pm
Forum: Paddles, Techniques, Boat Transportation, Storage & Maintenance
Topic: Yikes, the paddle is too heavy
Replies: 5
Views: 16706

I think I'll try out the paddle for a while, and if I want to go lighter I can always hit it hard with the sander and planes and get it lighter. My shaft is 1"x1.18", and the blade can be a bit thinner especially near the throat.

cheers
by sluggo
Sun Aug 23, 2009 8:55 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: filling small gaps between outwale and strips
Replies: 4
Views: 2409

So far it's turned out okay. The thickened epoxy shows, but it blends in well with the ceder. I have lighter colored gunwales (cherry and ash) sandwiching the cedar hull which went quite dark after applying the varnish. Oh well, another slight "oops" that looks okay and is good material fo...
by sluggo
Fri Aug 21, 2009 12:28 am
Forum: Paddles, Techniques, Boat Transportation, Storage & Maintenance
Topic: Yikes, the paddle is too heavy
Replies: 5
Views: 16706

Yikes, the paddle is too heavy

I almost finished my paddle today. I still have to apply epoxy and/or varnish, and probably fine tune the grip a bit. However, after much work with a spokeshave, rasp and sandpaper I was disappointed that the weight of the paddle was still kind of high. I got to weigh it tonight and it's coming in a...
by sluggo
Tue Aug 18, 2009 2:32 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Update on Stapless Freedom17 /w Rolling Bevel
Replies: 29
Views: 16498

I was quite specific in the hot glue that I purchased, I believe it makes a difference. That's not to say that it would work for you though. If anyone is interested I can try and dig up the name of the glue I bought.

cheers
by sluggo
Tue Aug 18, 2009 12:44 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Update on Stapless Freedom17 /w Rolling Bevel
Replies: 29
Views: 16498

Tim, the boat looks good. Don't be afraid to use hot glue to assist in clamping the strips. That is how I did my stapleless stripping and I would certainly recommend it if help is required. As well, some clear packing tape pulls things together nicely when some extra oomph is needed. http://shmish.s...
by sluggo
Tue Aug 18, 2009 11:07 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: prep between varnish coats
Replies: 1
Views: 1876

prep between varnish coats

Hi, Every time I put on a coat of varnish, the varnish ends up slightly "grainy." I'll have the wood sanded smooth to 320grit, but after varnishing there is a definite texture to it. I'm not convinced that it is airborne dust, I have tried varnishing in various situations and the texture i...