Search found 20 matches

by CatFaber
Wed Feb 16, 2011 10:00 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: epoxy problem
Replies: 7
Views: 2476

When I made my second canoe I used epoxy left over from my first, built four years previously. The hardener had turned a bit yellow, which slightly affected the final color of the cured epoxy, but aside from that it worked fine. I did once have a batch of epoxy fail in the manner you describe--it ne...
by CatFaber
Sat Feb 12, 2011 8:48 pm
Forum: Boat-Building Tips & Techniques
Topic: Scarf Joints
Replies: 1
Views: 4278

Thanks Ben. This looks useful. I think I may try it on my next build.
by CatFaber
Sat Feb 12, 2011 8:37 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: coves too deep??
Replies: 5
Views: 2464

You're probably okay. If you end up with gaps between strips after fairing the outside, it's pretty easy to fill them with putty or dookie schmutz (epoxy + sawdust + cab-o-sil.) The unfaired parts on the inside where the strips still touch should hold it all together during this process. When you pu...
by CatFaber
Sat Nov 27, 2010 10:05 am
Forum: Boat-Building Tips & Techniques
Topic: How to sand properly
Replies: 3
Views: 5780

Hmm. After epoxying I did practically all my sanding with my longboard--after I had worked so hard getting the hull fair I didn't want any lumps and bumps of epoxy spoiling that. Plus it was so easy to sand into the glass that I was really worried about sanding through it if I used power tools. AND ...
by CatFaber
Sat Nov 27, 2010 9:57 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: 6 oz glass or 4 oz glass?
Replies: 4
Views: 2170

I glassed my Osprey (15 foot solo) with 4 ounce inside and out (double layer on the outside football.) I went to Quetico for a week in it and it worked fine. I'm not much of a rock basher, but I did slither lengthwise over a hidden rock on the way out. Only superficial damage--no delamination of the...
by CatFaber
Sat Nov 27, 2010 9:53 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Seat Caning
Replies: 7
Views: 2726

I've only used plastic myself (had a bunch left over from the first canoe, so why not use it on the second?) but caning a seat doesn't take that long. I'd say if you want to use natural, use it--even if it rots out in a decade (which I don't know that it will) you can always re-cane. Strippers requi...
by CatFaber
Thu Nov 25, 2010 8:40 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: New Prospector
Replies: 16
Views: 7447

That is one gorgeous canoe! The inwale patch looks like you meant to do it that way. I'll show you my inwale patch one of these days (it's dark out right now, so photo later.) I just popped a sliver of ash in there and added a lot of dookie schmutz (epoxy-sawdust mix) then sanded till it was smooth-...
by CatFaber
Tue Nov 23, 2010 7:33 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Glassing tomorrow morning. Wish me luck!
Replies: 9
Views: 6003

Oh man... I had some problems with bubbles doing the interior of my Wee Lassie II but it was nothing like your ordeal. I got bubbles all along the sheer--I basically had to redo the sheer as about six patches--and three bubbles in the main part of the boat. I sanded them off. Just basically sanded o...
by CatFaber
Tue Nov 23, 2010 7:07 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Inaugural Flip
Replies: 11
Views: 4521

Glen is right; water is better than rocks. I've used old empty 2 liter bottles. Or firewood is good, if you have some handy. Or a backpack lined with 2 garbage bags and filled with dirty laundry and cans (be sure to tie both garbage bags shut, to trap the air in the laundry.) But something no heavie...
by CatFaber
Mon Nov 22, 2010 6:29 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Inaugural Flip
Replies: 11
Views: 4521

You'll get better comments from people who've actually paddled Prospectors, but two things come to mind. 1) a lot of people think that if you're handling a tandem by yourself your best plan is to kneel in the middle of the canoe, near one side (it's okay to heel it) so you can paddle nearer the midd...
by CatFaber
Mon Nov 22, 2010 6:18 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Glassing tomorrow morning. Wish me luck!
Replies: 9
Views: 6003

Good luck, Woodchuck!

heh. The rhyme was accidental. Honest. :wink

I had three good weather days here in Tennessee--the first two went to canoeing. The third..., to caulking cracks in the driveway. Sigh.
by CatFaber
Sun Nov 14, 2010 7:54 pm
Forum: Project Directories
Topic: Non-Bear Mountain Designs
Replies: 218
Views: 319134

Beautiful boat!

Thanks for the picture of the decoration at the keel line "in progress." I had been wondering how such things were done. :applause

I can see why you were just as happy to keep her.
by CatFaber
Tue Nov 09, 2010 11:06 pm
Forum: Paddles, Techniques, Boat Transportation, Storage & Maintenance
Topic: Canoeing Safely
Replies: 10
Views: 21272

The very first thing I did when I finished my first boat (an Osprey) was to get clear of the boat ramp, then lean her until she tipped, once on each side. People looked at me like there was something wrong with me, but I wanted to know (especially since she was wiggly, plus she had tumblehome) how m...
by CatFaber
Tue Nov 09, 2010 10:41 pm
Forum: Choosing a Design
Topic: Wee Lassie II--suitable for Quetico?
Replies: 6
Views: 9208

Brief Update

Temp in the low 70s today; took the Osprey and the Wee Lassie II out. Tried the Wee Lassie II with 190 lbs (paddler commented that she seemed more stable with the extra weight) then with 222.5 lbs (swapped in different weight paddler.) The Wee Lassie II handled very well with the extra weight (I har...
by CatFaber
Fri Nov 05, 2010 8:27 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Whats the most effecient error free stapleless method?
Replies: 17
Views: 9256

For my first boat I used staples For my second I used the fishing line method. Two things I would note--One--this is a little challenging to do if you are working alone--and as the strips get close to the stem forms, or as the football narrows, there will be spots where a whole reel of fishing line ...