Sabalo build finally underway!

[goanywhere]

Understatment mate your storming home............ tarp under build's a nice touch........my workshop floor bears the plan view in epoxy of every boat I've built

Cheers Paul

Yeah, I put that down after a couple of drips here and there. I think epoxy would be a great top coat over concrete, it's as hard as rock and looks nice over a few leaves and wood shavings.

[goanywhere]

Made the console tonight, it's just tacked together with hot glue at the moment. I think it will look good when it's all finished.



And fitted up the pieces of the cooler box. I will be glassing and painting this with 2 pak paint. Should last a lifetime.

[Earvin]

Mate I am really enjoying this build. So much detail compared to my Pirogue . It's looking great.

I don't know where on my priority list the Sabalo (or Wadefish) sit but it's creeping up there now. I will wait to see what Matt's 12 foot version looks like .

[goanywhere]

Yes I think a 12' version will be nice. The 15' version is the righs size for me (at least I expect), but it has taken up all my garage to build, and storage could be an issue for some people. Also a bit less weight might be nice. I went for the 15' version because of my requirements, but a smaller option will just cover the market that much better.

I'm having a ball making this. My creative juices are running amok too, with so many options to consider, and sleepless nights working out things in my head. I just hope it turns out to be what I expect. Things like an inbuilt esky and fully equipped with sounder and GPS are things I have dreamt about since I took up kayaking a couple of years ago, but I couldn't afford an 'off the shelf' product with all the bells and whistles. I can make this and pay for it as I go, and end up with a fully customised boat. Way to go!!

[goanywhere]

It's one thing to do a mock-up, but anyone who tells you their heart rate doesn't go up a bit when they have to take saw to wood like this is just lying!!



Access to the transponder and battery storage here...



And this is how my cockpit setup will look. I've still got to install the rudder foot pedals and seat, but this is about it.



I will be installing rod holders on the tumble home panels.

Filleted and glassed the icebox. The mid deck will soon go on.



Not a bad effort for one day, especially when we had friends over for lunch.

[Bemm 52]

Filleted and glassed the icebox.

Don,t forget a drain if your having one

cheers paul

[goanywhere]

Filleted and glassed the icebox.

Don,t forget a drain if your having one

cheers paul

Hi Paul. Yes, I haven't forgotten that. But I didn't want to make a mess of the foam so I glassed it first so that cutting it won't tear it all apart. I have a drain plug but I want to get some more coats of epoxy on the hull before I install it. It's not urgent to get the drain plug in yet. I will have to attach a tube to the drain plug because there is about a 2" gap behind the foam panel to the hull. Nothing too hard, but something you have to think through.

Next thing is installing the cockpit into the boat. But I need to work out the position of the clips for the seat and reinforce the anchor points, and run the rudder cables into the CP as I install it. I need to find some grommets that will work for the cable install into there. What did you do Paul?

So many things to think about....

[Bemm 52]

Stern




Bow

Cheers Paul

[Earvin]

Stern




Bow

Cheers Paul

Might have to revisit your build thread Paul, that looks awesome .

[goanywhere]

That's right Paul, rub it in....!

Anyway... I decided in the end to run the cables from the back along the sides.

I glued in the cockpit tonight, and just to make sure I got the panels bedded down nice and firmly...



I am finding all sorts of uses for hot glue too. It's fantastic for gluing bracing pieces into place temporarily. Once they aren't needed they just knock off with your hand, and the glue peels off easily leaving no residue. On new wood a chisel might be needed to get it all off but it's still easy.



Till the next episode...