Upcoming Sabalo build in Australia - Now Started

Builder show and discuss their progress.
cjbfisher
Posts: 38
Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2011 10:45 pm
Type of boat I like: SOT fishing kayaks.

Upcoming Sabalo build in Australia - Now Started

Post by cjbfisher »

Hi all,
I have just received my plans for the Sabalo, and before I begin, does anyone that has built one before have any tips, tricks, or "look out fors" that might help with the process.
I am going to build a Mirage Drive into it, and I'm toying with the idea of doing the decks in SS&G. Possibly Cedar. Do you think that this will be too soft, or should I just stick with the ply?
Looking forward to hearing from you all.
Cheers,
Chris
Last edited by cjbfisher on Fri Aug 19, 2011 10:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
craiggamesh
Posts: 465
Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2008 12:01 am
Type of boat I like: <-- Please read instructions to the left and delete this text. Then, tell us what type boat you like! :-)
Location: Portland, Oregon

Re: Upcoming Sabalo build in Australia

Post by craiggamesh »

With fiberglass on both sides, cedar should work just fine. I can't wait to see it. I was going to do mine as a stripper, but I was in too much of a hurry to get it into the water for fishing.
Regards,

Craig
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If I had more clamps, I could build more boats.
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PiratePete
Posts: 305
Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2009 6:57 am
Type of boat I like: Wadefish + Mirarge Drive.
Location: Tassie, Australia

Re: Upcoming Sabalo build in Australia

Post by PiratePete »

If you build up a jig to help assemble the Mirage Drive Well make it slightly tapered so you can pull the Well off the jig without breaking it in half.
Last edited by PiratePete on Mon Aug 01, 2011 6:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
jem
Site Admin
Posts: 4915
Joined: Fri Jun 18, 2004 8:14 pm
Type of boat I like: Wooden
Location: Greensboro, NC
Contact:

Re: Upcoming Sabalo build in Australia

Post by jem »

cedar plywood is ok if you cover both sides with glass. Check the wood for plies that are of the same thickness.
-Matt. Designer.
goanywhere
Posts: 374
Joined: Wed Mar 30, 2011 7:20 am
Type of boat I like: Fishing SOTs.
Location: Adelaide, South Australia.

Re: Upcoming Sabalo build in Australia

Post by goanywhere »

I will look forward to your build with ineterest. I will be starting my Sabalo build soon as well. Mine will be my first build also, without the mirage drive.

I think I will be at least painting the hull but leaving the deck area natural. I am not sure whether to try some kind of feature work on the foredeck. If I do I will be laying a second laminate of ply in two-tone over the top. I plan to sail my Sobalo (I'm building the pontoons as a learning project at the moment - see here: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=3376) so I think the extra strength will be an advantage if I am going to be standing on the deck at any time.

There are some great Sabalo build logs on this forum to learn from.
My psychologist reckons I need lots of fishin' therapy!
cjbfisher
Posts: 38
Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2011 10:45 pm
Type of boat I like: SOT fishing kayaks.

Re: Upcoming Sabalo build in Australia

Post by cjbfisher »

Well, let's say that I've made some progress, but not much. I've started marking out the pieces on some 6mm exterior ply that I will use for templates. And my flippy-floppy penguin propulsion device arrived yesterday. Iguess there's no turning back now.
Unfortunately it looks like work will get in the way for a while though. Once I get into the proper build process, I'll post some pics.
Cheers,
Chris
cjbfisher
Posts: 38
Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2011 10:45 pm
Type of boat I like: SOT fishing kayaks.

Re: Upcoming Sabalo build in Australia - Now Started

Post by cjbfisher »

Work has finally given me a small window of opportunity. All of the templates are marked out and half of them cut to shape. Will probably be another 2 weeks before I can do any more.
Chris
rodot
Posts: 205
Joined: Tue Jan 05, 2010 8:56 pm
Type of boat I like: Okwata kayak
Location: South Coast NSW Australia

Re: Upcoming Sabalo build in Australia - Now Started

Post by rodot »

Take your time and enjoy the build mate. We are looking forward to seeing the progress. Just wondering where in Oz you got your mirage drive and what kind of money do they charge. I know the Hobies with a Mirage Drive go fast, but I reckon in a Jem hull it would go like a rocket.

Cheers Roger
Okwata LC,
Northwind,
Quetico
PiratePete
Posts: 305
Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2009 6:57 am
Type of boat I like: Wadefish + Mirarge Drive.
Location: Tassie, Australia

Re: Upcoming Sabalo build in Australia - Now Started

Post by PiratePete »

rodot wrote:Take your time and enjoy the build mate. We are looking forward to seeing the progress. Just wondering where in Oz you got your mirage drive and what kind of money do they charge. I know the Hobies with a Mirage Drive go fast, but I reckon in a Jem hull it would go like a rocket.

Cheers Roger
Hi Roger

I was quoted $800.00 a piece for my 2 but ended up getting them for $750.00 each in Tassie
cjbfisher
Posts: 38
Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2011 10:45 pm
Type of boat I like: SOT fishing kayaks.

Re: Upcoming Sabalo build in Australia - Now Started

Post by cjbfisher »

rodot wrote:Take your time and enjoy the build mate. We are looking forward to seeing the progress. Just wondering where in Oz you got your mirage drive and what kind of money do they charge. I know the Hobies with a Mirage Drive go fast, but I reckon in a Jem hull it would go like a rocket.

Cheers Roger
Roger,
I bought mine from the US when the dollar was up around $1.10. Cost me a smidgen over $500 including shipping. If you are interested, I'll PM you the site.
Like Pete, I was quoted $800 for the unit with standard fins, and then another $100ish for the turbo fins. Whilst I like to support the local guys, in this situation, there's no contest. I've pretty much saved the cost of the kayak by purchasing the drive unit overseas.

Cheers,
Chris
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