The Bear Mountain Boat Shop

Let the Bending begin. Made a steam box, more of a tube rather, using 3" ABS pipe and appropriate connectors. The first rib (numer 0) has been steamed and is clamped to the form now. I am glad to report all went well. I am however a little concerned about slicing it later on though. One step at...

Time for another update. Rib patterns and forms are all complete. I have the first stack of laminations for the first rib ready to be steamed and bent. (Then glued and trimmed). Then only 62 to go after that! It is nice to finally be working on actual components of the boat. I am using standard spru...

Tom in MN wrote:you are not alone, brother.

Aye, Same problem for me- lots of scraping ahead- all part of the process.

Good Luck,
Mark

Well, Progress is slow, but moving forward! Since my last update I managed to cut out the rib and stem patterns, design and cut out my bottom quarter board pattern, and determine and cut my rib foot lenghts to the appropriate distances. Next will be tracing and cutting out the rib forms, then on to ...

As you probably already know I am working on a 16' Adirondack Guide Boat. Based on John Michne and Michael Olivette's Book. I will be leaving regular updates and photo's thru my link in the Project Directories (Non-Bear Mountain Designs Link). So check it out if you are interested. Mark, Cantley, Qu...

Just a quick update: Tracing the patterns on to wood was finished this morning- 13 ribs and one stem. Used the jigsaw to cut out rib patterns 11 and 12. Cut nice and smooth with a new blade. After I finish cutting out the remaining patters (11 more) then I will use them to make the bending forms. Ha...

Glassing the inside- two words: Air bubbles.
I also found it a challenge to glass the inside at the stems-
will make up for it on the second boat.

Mark

I used Bear Mountain's Kayakcraft DVD -it came out last year. Very helpful and informative for the fiberglassing part- If it is your first time glassing, may be a good investment. Just my thoughts on the subject.

Mark,
Cantley, Quebec.

Glen Smith wrote:My Hiawatha has much less initial stability than the Prospector and it really feels "tippy" each time I use it but only for a few minutes then I get used to it and it feels fine. .

Same for me with my Hiawatha- Even tippier with three people on board (600+ lbs.), moving around!

Mark

Well, about 1 month into this project and I have completed the lofting stages. In total I have lofted 13 rib patterns and 1 stem pattern. John Michne and Michael Olivette's book was very easy to follow and simplified the process greatly- step by step. I have enjoyed the lofting process, but must adm...

I used 3/4 plywood- and there was some twist- enought to detect just by looking at it. I did not find it to be a problem- the strips will want to naturally form to the shape of the boat. I think you might have a hard time finding plywood with zero twisl. If your twist is not major, consider just ign...

Me:

Completed:

1- 15' Hiawatha Cedarstrip Canoe

Started:
1- 16' Adirondack Guideboat.

Future Plans:
As many as my wife will let me!

Mark

Tommy, What a frustrating problem! I know how you feel. For the larger bubbles: Using a dremel tool- I drilled a very small hole in the bubble- then used a syringe to fill it out- it worked quite nicely. Unfortunately, I also had alot of smaller ones to deal with- too small to use the method above. ...

Just a quick update: I have been busy lofting the ribs- I have the first frame lofted and will do the second one tommorow. Slow and steady on this one. It is just nice to be working on a boat again- fresh coffee in the morning- lofting at the kitchen table with the radio on and the sun coming in the...

Thanks for the info. John.
I am still drawing/copying plans- so it may be a while till the actual building begins, but I am sure once it does I may have a question or two!

Mark