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Re: is this gonna work?
By:Bart Castleberry
Date: 10/23/1999, 11:00 pm
In Response To: is this gonna work? (David Blodgett)

> I got this idea after alot of thaught. I won't bother to tell you my
> previous ideas because they are all a bunch of @#$%. Well here go's

> I want to mix stich & tape and strip building to make an 8 foot squirt
> boat that is primarily made for flat water. I will make a set of forms (1
> every 12 inches) over these forms I would staple 6 inch wide peaces of 1/8
> inche marine playwood. After the wood is all on I would put on a layer of
> 6 ounce fibreglass cloth. (just the regular unidirectional stuff) I would
> fibreglass the inside, outside and the top of the hull. My design is
> basicly like a white water play boat. but less volume. the ends would be
> flat not pointed and the bottom of the hull would be mostly flat. I have a
> design all drawn up but don't have a scanner.

> If you notice anything wrong with this plan I would really appreciate a
> little advice from people with more expierience on the subjuct.

> Thanks so much to everyone who helps out on this bbs

> Dave

Sounds interesting, definitly doable I like the idea of plywood, and the post regarding connecting them via the stitch and glue method I think would be the way to go. I would do at least one layer of 3" seam tape on the outside and on the inside alternate 3"glass, 2"polyester, 2" glass and 3" poly , in that general order. More tape on the outside would be good for strength but might not look good (unless you plan on painting) sand the seams and glass inside and out. I would add plenty of tape in the inside when joining the deck and hull (glass squirts usually get 3 layers in and out each) (the poly tape allows for even flexing)

One thing I wonder about is the plywood's ability to conform to the sharp compond bends on most squirts ( I have't seen your design though)

I would personally forgo the wood chines for the tape method, the tape would be lighter, stronger, and easier (IMO) tape also distributes forces(impacts) more evenly.

I am not sure if I follow your point design, but sharp points allow for easy pirouttes, screw ups and other tricks involved with spinning the boat while verticle. I know it doesn't sound like much of a difference but it is actually quite a bit.

Some thing else is that sharp edged boats will tend to be much more squirlly in moving water. (The edges just grab more) on the stern it is not to big a deal but around the cockpit where your volume is centered, you will feel it more. Just a consideration)

You shoud find a scanner, I am interesed in seeing how this project progresses

Good Luck, Bart

Messages In This Thread

is this gonna work?
David Blodgett -- 10/20/1999, 11:11 pm
Re: is this gonna work?
mike allen -- 10/25/1999, 7:19 pm
Re: is this gonna work?
Bart Castleberry -- 10/23/1999, 11:00 pm
Re: is this gonna work?
Paul G. Jacobson -- 10/22/1999, 1:05 am
Re: is this gonna work?
Bob G -- 10/21/1999, 12:33 am