Search found 19 matches

by Oshan OkaPini
Thu Apr 02, 2009 1:16 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Herringbone or straight??
Replies: 23
Views: 13701

Herringbone bottom

I opted for the herringbone construction method when I built my Freedom 17. It takes a little more time to work out how to cut and shape the ends, but not too bad. The biggest obstacle came when I was trying to get the final few strips to fit to closet off the hull. It took a bit of coaxing and fitt...
by Oshan OkaPini
Mon Apr 14, 2008 2:05 pm
Forum: Paddles, Techniques, Boat Transportation, Storage & Maintenance
Topic: Varnishing the paddle
Replies: 7
Views: 20743

Hangers

The way that I have supported the paddle during varnishing was to drive two small brads a little ways into the outside edges of the paddle handle, directly opposite each other. I then attached wires to the ends of the brads and hung the paddle from an overhead rafter. I could then apply coats to bot...
by Oshan OkaPini
Fri Feb 29, 2008 10:00 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Carriage bolt turns (I can't tighten it)
Replies: 12
Views: 21235

Carriage bolt problem

Try this, it might work. Tighten the nut on the carriage bolt until the bolt moves. If there there is still enough thread showing, carefully grip the end of the threads with a pair of vicegrips so that the teeth in the vicegrips are somewhat parallel with the threads. Holding the bolt this way, tigh...
by Oshan OkaPini
Wed Nov 14, 2007 7:38 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Freedom 17 Weight
Replies: 2
Views: 1646

I don't normally reveal her weight...

but mine came in at 61 lbs. I left the SS screws in the gunwales for extra strength and had curly maple decks. These two added around 5 extra pounds.

Norman in MS
by Oshan OkaPini
Wed Nov 14, 2007 7:32 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Freedom 15 moulds
Replies: 5
Views: 2183

Station Molds

I used 2 sheets of 4x8 MDF for the station molds for my Freedom 17.

Norman in MS
by Oshan OkaPini
Thu Jan 18, 2007 10:14 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Cutting scuppers (aka machining slots into noodles)
Replies: 11
Views: 4458

Scuppers

Maybe this has been gone over before, but you gotta solve the problem with what tools you have. I started by tapering the gunwales to the shape that I wanted and then taped the inner (hull) sides of an inner and an outer gunwale together. I measured and marked the location of the supper slots in eac...
by Oshan OkaPini
Wed Nov 15, 2006 5:48 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Brass Stem Band questions
Replies: 6
Views: 3087

Stem bands

I predrilled and countersunk the holes every 6", then bent the band to the stem contour using a hammer and wood block . I then marked the stem, removed the stems band, drilled pilot holes in the stem and ran stainless steel screws into the pilot holes (SS was to prevent twisting off the weaker ...
by Oshan OkaPini
Thu Sep 14, 2006 12:55 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: How to build a tough, buoyant canoe
Replies: 4
Views: 2062

Floatability

Although it sits very low in the water, my Freedom 17 will float on its own when full swamped. The dry-weight is right at 60 pounds with no floatation chambers.

Norman in MS
by Oshan OkaPini
Sat Aug 19, 2006 7:53 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Mounting brass stem bands
Replies: 4
Views: 1931

David, I mounted the stem band by evenly predrilling and countersinking the holes in the brass before installing. I set one end of the band flush to the gunnel, drilled a small pilot hole in the stem and screwed in a stainless steel screw (the same size as the brass screws). I then wrapped the stem ...
by Oshan OkaPini
Thu Apr 27, 2006 10:47 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Resin Question
Replies: 13
Views: 3246

Vote for Raka as well

Z, I opted for Raka because of the similarity of the weather conditions here in Mississippi to those in Florida. I figured that if it would work there, it would work for me as well. When I glassed the Freedom 17, it rained all weekend with the temps in the high 80s. Raka epoxy didn't even blink. It ...
by Oshan OkaPini
Thu Apr 13, 2006 1:50 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Station 0 and 16 on the Freedom
Replies: 6
Views: 1898

17:0 & 16

I asked this same question on the old board when I was setting up the stations on my F17.

Ted Moores answered (!) and said that these 2 stations are difficult to reach and they can be omitted, if desired, without adversely effecting the lines.

I desired. Canoe came out fine.

Norman in MS
by Oshan OkaPini
Fri Mar 10, 2006 12:34 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: F17 First strips
Replies: 6
Views: 2027

Running the strips

Roscoe,

I have seen photos of the Freeedom 17 stripped in both configurations and due to the design, they both worked out fine. It just comes down to personal preference.

I made mine with the strips parallel to the waterline, laid out the shear and trimmed.

Norman in MS
by Oshan OkaPini
Thu Jan 12, 2006 9:48 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Options for stems?
Replies: 9
Views: 3684

Stem Research

I extended the epoxy and fiberglass cloth up to the sides of the stems and cut them flush with the outer curve. I then covered the exposed area of the stems with the second coat of epoxy. After curing, the outer stem was marked and drilled to accept the brass screws for the stem band. The option of ...
by Oshan OkaPini
Wed Nov 16, 2005 8:18 am
Forum: Boat-Building Tips & Techniques
Topic: Varnish application Roll on tip off
Replies: 3
Views: 10376

The Varnishing

I put the final (3rd) re-coat of varnish on my Freedom 17 last weekend using the roller technique. I used the roller/foam brush tip off on the second coat and found that many bubbles remained in the surface while the varnish was beginning to set-up making tip off very difficult. The temps that day w...
by Oshan OkaPini
Fri Nov 04, 2005 3:23 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Hockey Stick Seats...
Replies: 8
Views: 4630

Hockey stick seats

Nova, Recycling any material into a project is a cool way to tie interests together. Great idea. You asked about the 3/4" x 1-1/8" laminate being too springy. If you have any concerns about the rigidity of the seat (maybe due to the size of the paddler?) :rolling eyes you might consider or...