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Re: Sabalo build finally underway!

Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 8:26 am
by woodman
Hot glue works good to (tack) hold pcs.... and can fillet right over it.

Re: Sabalo build finally underway!

Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 7:07 am
by goanywhere
I can finally see the finishing line with this build. I am getting ready to install the front deck and start prettying everything up.

Have installed the cockpit and started filleting in the console.
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You can see how I finally ended up reinforcing the edges for the deck. I can glue the battens and also stitch in the spaces. That allows me to pull the edges of the hull in without distorting the shape. I tried it with straps but i wasn't happy with how I could hold the deck in place while I did it all. This way should be a good solution.
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This is how the final setup of the mid-deck cooler will end up. I couldn't get this kind of hatch in black, but white will not get as hot, which is good for an esky lid. (I obviously have to cut out the hatch).
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At this rate I should be ready to test her out weekend after next as planned, :D :D although a weekender is now off the books due to some other issues that need attending to. :(

Re: Sabalo build finally underway!

Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 6:21 am
by goanywhere
Finally got the foredeck on today. My idea of stitching and sheer clamps worked a treat. I needed to do it this way, using straps alone would have been too hard. But here it is, and everything is nicely lined up and straight. :D :D (Gee, getting those hull panels to straighten up once filleted and glassed both sides is a job! :o )

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The esky worked out exactly as I had planned. That's a win in anyone's language! :lol:
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Next major job is cutting the forward hatch, installing the reinforcing panel for the mast step and outrigger arms, and then the final finishing and fit-up of all the accessories. Still a bit of taping, glassing and a couple of coats of epoxy before she's ready for a test float, but at this rate I should be ready for a test paddle next weekend. :D


I think I'm going to love this boat!

Said hello to my neighbour today, he says they have nick-named me Noah! :lol: :lol:

Re: Sabalo build finally underway!

Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 3:40 am
by goanywhere
I made a little video of the Sabalo fully assembled but not finished or fitted out. I still have a bit to do but it is now at least fully assembled. I still haven't cut the forward hatch, or installed the mast step etc. which I will do once the foredeck is glassed. I also still need to tape and coat the joins on the cockpit and tankwell, and finish the console, but it at least looks like a boat. (I guess you could compare it to building a house to 'lockup stage').

As I mention in the video, I am very pleased with the build overall but the quality of finish is not what I had hoped, there are some relatively minor flaws, such as some panels not lining up properly etc. and I haven't worked as cleanly as I could have. But my intention was to build a functional boat first, and if possible, a pretty one. I don't know whether I will achieve the latter but we'll see how we go. I may have to paint it all over after all, but I will wait till I have put another couple of coats of resin on before making a final decision. Is it better to have an imperfect timber finish, or a painted finish that hides many imperfections? :?

I know some things I would do differently if I built another one of these! :? :roll:

Click on the image for the video:
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Re: Sabalo build finally underway!

Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:53 pm
by goanywhere
Not far from finishing now. I've finished taping all the upper panels, cockpit, tankwell, mid deck and rear deck. I also gave the CP and TW another coat of resin last night. I took some photos of the finish inside these to see what I think. My wife thinks I should paint inside, and my coworkers agree.

I am regretting not taking more care with the filleting in there now. :( But I will still leave the foredeck, mid-deck and rear deck as well as the tumblehome panels as timber finish. I think it will still look good. :)

I guess that's what you learn on your first build. I thought that the filleting material I used would sand off easier, but it not only sticks hard, but also soaks into the veneer, so it is difficult to sand off without removing the outer veneer as well. I am using the filling compound from Bote Cote, which seems to infiltrate into the pores of the veneer more than woodflour does. (I will have to remember this next time!)

Re: Sabalo build finally underway!

Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 7:26 pm
by woodman
You did great on you're first build, picking a plan with a lot of pcs. too...
Paint will be ok...Once it is done and in the water ..then I'll bet you start thinking of building another :lol: And then you'll be hooked..

Steve..

Re: Sabalo build finally underway!

Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 9:17 pm
by goanywhere
What do you mean WILL be hooked?!! :lol: :lol:

I'm considering advertising to build them for people just so I can get to do another one! (Only joking, my wife wants her carpark back!! It might be couple of years, but I am sure I will be able to come up with an excuse to build another one before too long. :wink: )

Re: Sabalo build finally underway!

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 3:07 am
by Bemm 52
goanywhere wrote: I thought that the filleting material I used would sand off easier, but it not only sticks hard, but also soaks into the veneer, so it is difficult to sand off without removing the outer veneer as well.
If you have time a Dremel tool works well with one of there ball grinding stones :wink:

Re: Sabalo build finally underway!

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 8:05 am
by goanywhere
Bemm 52 wrote:
goanywhere wrote: I thought that the filleting material I used would sand off easier, but it not only sticks hard, but also soaks into the veneer, so it is difficult to sand off without removing the outer veneer as well.
If you have time a Dremel tool works well with one of there ball grinding stones :wink:
I guess it may have been an idea earlier on but I think it might be too late now without alot of work. I would have to re-tape alot of the fillets and I might not end up with a much better finish anyway.

I'm not too worried, I'm not too disappointed, it's just after seeing how the timber comes up I wish I had spent more time getting the little things right. I think I will end up with a nice looking boat anyway with the colour scheme I have in mind.

Hey, I'm still going to end up with a way better yak than if I'd just gone and bought a plastic fantastic in my price range! Just to think, not too many weeks ago I was really worried I was going to stuff up the whole thing up big time. At least I haven't gone even close to doing that :D

Anyway, tonight I only had time to sand back the glass on the bow and apply a second coat of epoxy. This bit is staying timber.

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Re: Sabalo build finally underway!

Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 6:43 am
by goanywhere
Well, apart from attaching a few bits and pieces, the good ship Go Anywhere is about ready for a shakedown on Sunday.

I am amazed how much better it looks with a couple of coats of resin. I still think I'll be aplying a bit of paint to the sides and bottom but the upper area I think I can live with 'eau naturale' plus a few coats of varnish. Even the cruddy fillets in the tankwell look better the more coats go over them. (Could I try a tint for the cockpit and tankwell ??).

With a few hatches, seat, rod holders, anchor trolley line, rudder, fish finder, GPS and what not the crappy fillets will become less of an eyesore I'm sure.

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