Search found 109 matches

by Adamv
Sun May 15, 2011 6:58 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Wood for steaming (stems)
Replies: 7
Views: 2501

Re: Wood for steaming (stems)

I have also found it helpful to bend three plies at a time over the stems, and putting the more breakable pieces (in my case, white cedar) in between the more easily bent pieces (again, in my case, mahogany). With three (or four) pieces bent at once, the outer plies seem to keep the inner ones from ...
by Adamv
Fri Apr 01, 2011 11:00 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Machining Gunwales for Bob's Special
Replies: 2
Views: 1450

Re: Machining Gunwales for Bob's Special

I agree with the previous post. I've built the Bob's Special, and although it is symmetrical, the yoke will not be exactly in the center due to the seat placements. I'd highly recommend saving cutting the scuppers until the boat is built and you can map them out precisely taking into account the typ...
by Adamv
Wed Aug 25, 2010 12:26 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Epifanes Spar Varnish over Epoxy
Replies: 9
Views: 7295

I found I got the best drip free varnish with it thinnned about 10%, and applied with a 4" foam roller, and then lightly brushed with a foam brush just to break bubbles and smooth it out.
by Adamv
Mon Aug 23, 2010 5:25 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Repairing cracked canvas?
Replies: 3
Views: 1852

Repairing cracked canvas?

Greetings, I was at a friend's cottage on the weekend, and he showed me his old canvas canoe. The canvas was cracked and peeled in several locations (I presume from age and weather exposure). The cracks were mostly around 4 inches long or so, and there were lots of them. I've built a cedar strip can...
by Adamv
Tue Aug 10, 2010 2:45 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Adding a keel on a Nomad
Replies: 1
Views: 1218

Are you sure that your are situated properly in the canoe and that it is trimmed correctly? Make sure it is sitting as level as possible in the water and that you are as close to the center of the canoe as possible. I believe that this will do much more than a keel.
by Adamv
Mon May 24, 2010 1:37 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Extreme Veneering
Replies: 9
Views: 5345

Both kayaks look stunning! Great work.

Any idea about how much weight the additional veneering and glue added?

Cheers,
Adam
by Adamv
Thu Apr 29, 2010 2:43 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Stretched Freedom 15' or shrunk Freedom 17'?
Replies: 3
Views: 1975

Stretched Freedom 15' or shrunk Freedom 17'?

I'm looking at the Freedom for my next build. It will be used for both tandem and solo tripping. For some reason 17' seems too long, and 16' seems too short. Would it make more sense to stretch the plan for the 15' to 16', or reduce the 17' plan to 16'? With the exception of length, both the 15' and...
by Adamv
Thu Mar 18, 2010 6:29 am
Forum: Paddles, Techniques, Boat Transportation, Storage & Maintenance
Topic: Paddle blade surface area
Replies: 7
Views: 23652

Interesting ideas. Recently I've been into making and using bent shaft paddles, which I notice always have a shorter and wider blade. I'm wondering if there would be an advantage to adding 'reserve area' higher up, perhaps even on the bend for those times when you want just a little bit more push (I...
by Adamv
Wed Mar 17, 2010 9:32 am
Forum: Paddles, Techniques, Boat Transportation, Storage & Maintenance
Topic: Paddle blade surface area
Replies: 7
Views: 23652

Hi Alan,

I like the idea (and would indeed enjoy the math), but I'm not clear on what I would do with the information. Are you suggesting that I could play with the shape in such a way as to readjust the forces on the paddle as it enters and exits the water?

Cheers,
Adam
by Adamv
Thu Mar 04, 2010 3:07 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: deck question again
Replies: 3
Views: 1723

Mine were black walnut and mahogany glued with a butt joint. No problems.

http://www.avoisin.com/album/canoe/slid ... 20328.html
by Adamv
Wed Mar 03, 2010 12:36 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Thoughts on load capacity of canoe (and stress on seats)
Replies: 13
Views: 5016

Hi Dawne, I wouldn't worry too much. I've stood in my 15' Bob's Special (6 oz cloth in and out) a few times (in the water), not even thinking that it could be a problem. No problems. Maximum weight? On the day I launched it, I tested it with myself and three other grown men in it at once. It had to ...
by Adamv
Mon Mar 01, 2010 2:50 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: station mold material that wont warp?
Replies: 2
Views: 1416

I've used 1/2" MDF and really liked it. I cut the forms and let them sit for about 10 months (in a dry place), and they didn't warp at all. In theory, MDF shouldn't warp at all (as long as it is kept dry) because it is perfectly homogenous throughout. I also like MDF because it takes a pencil l...
by Adamv
Tue Feb 16, 2010 8:24 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Starter Strip
Replies: 5
Views: 2226

I'd go about 1/2".
by Adamv
Sat Feb 13, 2010 3:40 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Problems and Questions
Replies: 25
Views: 8471

Hi Dawne, Can't comment on the joints, as I was lucky enough to not have to use joints in my gunnels. For the varnish, I used a wet/dry sandpaper (220 grit I think, you can buy it in the autobody section) and wet sanded the hull just enough to dull the sheen. Keep dipping the paper in a cup of water...
by Adamv
Sun Jan 31, 2010 9:56 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: East System
Replies: 4
Views: 2435

I used East System on my Bob's Special, and was quite happy with it. It is easy to work with, and barely gives off an odour. It was also a good bit cheaper than West System.