winter project, insight requested

[2182]

so, first the full disclosure: my winter project is not a seacraft. i have been looking for a wooden boat rebuild project for some time now. finally found one and when i started to tear it apart i realized it was a wash. the only thing salvagable is the frame and its cheaply built. i just bought myself a full sized template. the good news is the price was right ($50.00). boat is enclosed like a kayak but shaped more like a rowing skull (sp) so i may reconfigure it as a rowboat. i have never built a boat, but i do custom interior trim and cabinets so it shouldnt be too bad. i am listing "the plan." please poke holes in it and add any ideas that may be helpful. i know this site is for seacrafts but my seacraft is bulletproof and customized to the max, so i need something to keep me from channel surfing every night through the winter. thanks in advance.
1-build bottom out of marine ply (3/4)
2-build vertical bracing around entire boat(maple?)
3-build elevated "slat style" flooring in bottom of hull
4-build top bracing (the long way(maple)
5-wrap sides (1/4 mahogany plywood)
6-fill in top (1x4 mahogany)
7-varnish top, sides, and interior (epiphanes spar varnish)
8-fiberglass bottom

kind of a sucker for mahogany, could change the maple but i know its very hard. also, not dying to glass and paint the bottom but i want to make sure its fully waterproof. also, not sure if the 1/4" ply on the sides will be ok w/ just many many coats of spar varnish. like i said, ive never done this before, let the hole poking begin.

[boatdotbay]

Your project sounds like fun, I could use something to keep me away from the TV during the winter months. I would steer clear of using maple on any boat project other than a half hull. It is prone to rotting faster than many woods. It makes a great cutting board and beautiful furniture but I would go with white oak, ash, mahogany, or sassafras if you can find it. Good luck on the project -- don't forget to post pics!

[2182]

thanks for quick response. i was planning on getting the wood tomorrow. maybe just go all mahogany. i wanted a light wood to contrast w/ the mahogany, but ash is too dark and i dont like oak. did not know about maples tendency to rot. ive built many counters and cutting boards out of it w/ great results. pics coming soon, have to find my photobucket info...

[shana]

dont sit in front of tv! ihave a big project to get going rebuild 25 seafari new transom take engs out and back in rebuild pumps new paint! you name it, dont be afraid? thanks george

[2182]

george, im not afraid. i got ahold of a guy in upstate new york who builds rowing dorys (plug here: adirondack guide boats) and he gave me some good pointers. i think i may glass the whole outside of the hull. even w/ spar urethane and clear 5200 (they do make clear 5200 right?), thin 1/4" plywood can warp easily. also, i have never liked kayaks. they hurt my back and the constant rowing is annoying. then again, i grew up w motorboats...im building it for my father for his 60th bday and he loves dorys. so im going to convert it to a rowing dory while still covering a portion of the top (kayak style). like i said, im a sucker for mahogany, the more the better.

[Fr. Frank]

Try hickory for your lighter contrasting wood. Good rot resistance, a bit harder on your tools when you're working the wood as it's vary hard wood, but not as bad as teak. Steaming helps when bending and shaping. Birch is easier to work, but not as durable unless laminated/encapsulated.

(This advice is from my wife who does woodworking. I do rigging and tuning on boats and bikes, apart from the church)

[Basspond]

I'm partial to white cedar wooden boats:





This is my Barnegat Bay sneakbox, that is unfortunately now painted duck boat brown [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Clear cedar is probably tough to find, but I love the smell.