PNW Boat Works

Just thought I would start a thread here for my TF buddys.

A few hours of concentrated work today. All the frame members at 0 degrees are cut out. Now comes the fun part. Put a new Timber Wolf blade on the BS, what a difference! Like butter...I will probably be sanding though as I still have a few to many tooth marks for me. Even though no one is going to see them I still want quality work!

https://www.facebook.com/PNWboatworks

It's not a trawler but the lines sure are sexy. I am really looking forward to having the frames complete and assembled on the jig. It will really start taking shape after. I am enjoying the process though and working with the wood as it begins taking shape.

Frame Four

Today was a productive day - two frames completed, waiting for them to cure and then will clean them up a bit. Total of four of the thirteen down - it's really quite nice to see the various stages each frame takes on from the the previous. I'll be placing my order for about 25 sheets of marine ply in the next week. My goal is to have all thirteen done by the end of next week with jig ready to receive the frames the following.

Looks interesting. What do you mean, waiting for the frames 'to cure"? Using green wood, setting epoxy ? Is the end result per the avatar?
Keep us posted.

No, using 5200 to bond the frame members. The end result is going to be a 20.5 Bartender.

I'm following you on FB. Thanks for showing us your progress!

bligh said:

I'm following you on FB. Thanks for showing us your progress!

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Me too, I love the design and look forward to the build.

It's been a few weeks since last I posted, things have been busy in the shop. I finished all the frames and completed the jig. I am going to be purchasing a laser to check the center lines and then mount all the frames. So far I have enjoyed the process and hope to have all the frames up, centered and start working on the stem this week. I'll be planing down from 3/4 stock to 1/2 and then laminate two 1/2 and two 3/4 to make 2.5" stem. This should prove to be really strong - I just don't care see all that wood being made into chips. Just part of the process....

Kooks like a good stiff strong back.

I think laser is overkill but doing a job the best way you can gives great satisfaction. I drive every day out of my way at 30mph for a bit before going on the highway at 60. I know it does some good and that's satisfying.

What kind of plywood are you going to use?

The frames are solid stock sapele and all plywood is 1088. I am having to source my ply as my original supplier has run out of stock and won't have any until July. Everything is screw (stainless) and glue. Bottom will be fiberglassed and two if not three layers in epoxy prior to paint. I like a really smooth finish, gloss.

This week

This week has been very busy in the shop. Not only did the jig get assembled and the frames aligned but today I started on stem and stern post. Laminated to 2.5" thick. Brushed on epoxy followed up with a thin layer of epoxy mixed with cell-o. I am also going to follow up on the stem and apply a layer of fiberglass to reinforce the joints. I know this is probably over kill but it is the stem we are talking about. Tomorrow I'll clean up the epoxy, fair both laminated pieces and be ready for chines next week!

New website!

Tough and fun day at the shop today. I started working on the keelson and that went without any hitch. Cut straight, went into all the frames without a hitch. Everything lined up just right. I however didn't pay much attention to the frames when I set them into the jig because several were flipped. A few screws out and viola flipped glued the keelson and back on track. Had the keelson been glued in and I noticed I would have been really upset with myself. Other than my ego nothing damaged.
I then moved onto the aft chine started the process of bending the 3/8 ply for the stern which takes a sharp, really sharp curve and I start to hear a dreaded sounds -----it gets worse as I continue pushing and it cracks. I walk back over to the plans, double check the line drawings making sure it's not my mistake and rack it up to that piece of ply. On to a copy of the same piece, I monkey with it for what seems like an hour wanting to line it up just right. Time to commit, screw and glue that bad boy down. Then laminate up the third (second layer) copy. Those went without any hitches. I was happy with the result and will look forward to taking all the clamps off the boat tomorrow. For the time being it looks kind of like a porcupine. I think to myself, maybe I need some more clamps? Do you ever say that? Enough lessons tonight - glue is setting and I am working on a new website. Cheers!



The gap in the middle of the chine will be filled in with white oak there is about a 6" over lap created to accept the white oak so lots of room for bonding. Tomorrow I will work on finishing up the port chine and begin on the SB chine.

In addition to work in the shop I also got my new website up and running. It appears all the pages and links are functioning, so without further delay.

Home

Feedback is always appreciated and will be read with great enthusiasm!

CPseudonym said:

Me too, I love the design and look forward to the build.

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Me three

Tonight I was working on the sheer and was screwing a 1 1/2 3/8 ply to breasthook, stem and sheer. There is a slight gap of about 1" behind the sheer and the beginning of the breasthook, so I filled it with epoxy and wood filler. I'll be sanding it smooth after cure. It's not structural, just for aesthetics. I broke the only 7/64" bits that I had on hand when drilling the last hole for the first ply at the sheer so I'll be having to wait to lay on the second. Tomorrow I'll complete the stern sheer and will move to the bow sheer - maybe completing both?? Then I could focus on cleaning up the chine, sheer, fairing and laying a few fillets.

I wonder how you are going to shape the chines and sheers so the plywood panels fit flush. I've had an idea about doing this and consider it a real problem in this kind of boatbuilding.
Looking real good now. This is the really exciting part of a build. Could only get better if you were surrounded by Yellow Cedar shavings.
I sold (traded) my aluminum skiff and am putting some effort into my 19' FG "Winner". Still looking at the 24' Spira Key Largo but no time.
Is your shop in Bellingham?

Eric,
Yes the shop is in Bellingham. Feel free to call, my cell is listed as I use it for business. 503-781-9967.

The angle is slightly off at the stern for the ply panel to fit completely flush. I will do one of two things, either allow the ply panel to take the curve which is about 1/8" for it to sit flush against the stern stem and I will have to fair with putty or fill the void against the stern stem with a fillet. I will probably opt for the second as it might make for less work. I also plan on re-enforcing the joints around the stem with fiberglass. Not that the original design calls for it but I want to make sure all joints around the stems are strengthened.

Sheer

What a great morning, check out the Sheer. I was surprised to see the oak take the bend without steaming. I used a new clamp that also has a reverse feature to bring the oak to the frame. It worked out wonderfully as you can see.

Lines

Tonight I had a beer. Let me expand, I gave myself a moment to enjoy the lines of the boat. After completing all the major hull construction finishing up the chines and sheer I decided to enjoy her lines. I stood at the bow and sipped my beer, looking over her lines from bow to stern. I have to say I enjoyed the moment and thought to myself what a good looking set of bones to start with. I'll of course take pictures but those just don't do the boat justice. I'll post them tomorrow as my camera is charging. I count myself as one of the lucky ones to be doing what I am!

LINES Ah yes LINES.

I love to browse the Atkin site to drink in lines.

Your'e amazed the sheer took the bent .. I'm very amazed the chine aft took that bend. Even up side down the sheer line looks great.

You deserve your beer .. and then some. Good building.

Nice work! The Bartender lines promote a good beer break to relish in the shape. It will also tell you if you have had one too many if the bow and stern become confusing! Keep it up, that is a great boat to bring to life!

Latest

All cleared of clamps. Cleaning up the lose ends an will be starting on the engine well next week.

Motorwell sides

What a great day at PNW Boat Works. Not only one but two sides of the motor well are complete.

I know things haven't been busy vacation will do that. But now things are on full swing.

Next I'll be laminating and working on the transom. That will be a fun part of the build

The last week has been very busy. The week prior it was vacation so things were really slow then. But this, it was time to get cranking. Both sides are on, blocked, and I started to fill but the shop just go too hot this afternoon. I still have yet to clean up the bow/stem but will fair them as well as the chine getting ready to put the panels on the bottom. I still have to install the battens but things are moving along.




It's funny when I look at other shops and these pictures of no saw dust on the floor, no tools around and I wonder how much time these builders must spend putting away the tools and cleaning up saw dust. Just the other day I spent over an hour chasing my tale. Then I decided I would just build. I guess the closer I get to say painting I'll need to work on keeping the shop cleaner.

I'll bet that engine well adds a great deal of strength to the boat.

Looking REALLY good now. This is probably the most exciting stage of a build no?

I have enjoyed each stage of the building process. I do have to admit though, this is so far the most exciting as it's really beginning to take shape.

The last month has been busy, saying goodbye to the summer. Taking one last vacation, getting my five year old off to school. Etc....

Lately I have been able to spend some good quality time on the Bartender. This has allowed me to complete some much needed work. Battens installed, faring complete on the Port side, just put a layer of fiberglass on the Port. faring the Starboard and laying fiberglass today. The motor well is complete. I am hopeful next week I'll be able to install the spray rail and bottom.

Lots of projects going on but lots of things getting accomplished.
Working on a solid Sapele table, 24x12 turning out really nice with free floating tenon joints. Tomorrow I should be able to mount the top, sand and finish. I am not sure on what finish I'll be using. I love the beauty of Sapele so something clear, poly or varnish. I'll post pictures of this little gem. Something I am happy to have spent time completing.
I also have been working on some replacement boat parts on a 72 Willard. Pieces that have gone missing after several owners. V birth rails for the filler cushions. Blocks for the swing up berth in the salon. All being completed from teak. I'd like to stain it slightly as the teak in the boat is red. Replacements are turning out nicely. Pictures to follow in the next few days.

On to the Bartender.
Starboard and Port ply now has 6oz fiberglass that has been trimmed to size. Today I worked on dry fitting the spray rail, using 1/4" lag bolts, shim washers on the backside. I think I am going to run down some peel ply and just fill the backside with epoxy. I haven't yet made that decision but will by tomorrow.

update

What an amazing week at PNW Boat Works last week. Finally finished up the spray rails on both sides of the boat. Scarfed the joint in the white oak and mounted today. Last week I decided to test the limits of perfection and made a chair. What an experience. You'd have to see the chair to understand all that went into it and how nice it is. Needless to say I really enjoyed the process and learned quite a bit throughout. Next step for the BT is to begin the process of putting the bottom on. I'll start that tomorrow. Starting with the bow and working my way back. I'll be allowing a full day to mount the bow panels. They need some real help to make the bend that is needed

Nice chair . Very nice work .I do know what goes into making a chair .A chair has to withstand all kinds of stress from all directions . I made a couple of green wood slat back chairs a few years back .

Bow

The impact of hanging an eight foot sheet on the frames. It was a good day! By Friday the bow should be complete!