Duck Punt - first cut to first sail in 7 days

[dylanwinter]

I set out to build the light weight duck punt in 7 days

http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/duck-punt-sail1.jpg

http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/duck-punt-stills168.jpg

http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/duck-punt-stills031.jpg

http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/duck-punt-stills105.jpg



I achieved it - although the seven days were not consecutive

the cold and damp conspired against me - making varnish and polyester go off can be a challenge

the boat is light enough to put on one shoulder

it is stiff enough to take the rig and my weight

not sailed it yet as the wind has not let up for five days here

the thin 6mm ply saved me weight but it has kuckled around the frames

hence the rather angular look to the bottom curve - the top curve has been evened out by the inner and out gunnels


flow mos stitch and glue version will be much, much better and I am certainly going to make one if this thing sails okay

http://flo-mo.weebly.com/light-weight-stitch-and-tape-conversion-of-the-west-mersea-duck-punt.html


I see no reason why it won't sail just fine

- but 20 miles an hour winds and water temperatures of 5 degrees
are not the condition in which to try a boat for the first time



the film of the final stages of construction is here

http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/kt...he-wash/ktl-246-vlog-punt-finished-and-ready/

the other construction films are on the bottom of this page here

http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/category/ktl-3-north-norfolk-and-the-wash/


thanks for your advice along the way

very useful - although I shall not be using Ronseal on a boat again in a hurry

I reckon the build would cost about £250 if all the materials were bought new

the rig came from the most excellent Dan tribe of this parish

he had lost the sprit for the oppie rig so I made one out of two broom handles stuck together with a copper plumbing joint

Dylan

 

[Croak]

Would it not be "better" loose footed?

No steering, I presume you are using a paddle.

Looks like fun.

I think you passed a nice bit of ash that would be better burning than that rotten bit on the back of your bike

Ever thought about taking a saw with you?

 

[dylanwinter]

foraging

Would it not be "better" loose footed?

No steering, I presume you are using a paddle.

Looks like fun.

I think you passed a nice bit of ash that would be better burning than that rotten bit on the back of your bike

Ever thought about taking a saw with you?

bit of drift... but the term for collecting bits of wood is "by hook or by crook"

It is sometimes suggested that 'by hook or by crook' derives from the custom in mediaeval England of allowing peasants to take from royal forests whatever deadwood they could pull down with a shepherd's crook or cut with a reaper's billhook. This feudal custom was recorded in the 1820s by the English rural campaigner William Cobbett, although the custom itself long predates that reference.

in other words I am allowed to pick up the dead wood that has fallen - but being caught with a saw would change the nature of my fuel gathering activities


duck punts being sailed


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWugqPGG1Lg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58WnQZIU2eE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMwzdD96GSA


just a paddle and a pointy box with a sail on it

the other blokes use an oppie rig so I shall start with that

although I have made a balanced lug rig

all I need is for the wind to simmer down and I can try the darned thing out

Dylan

 

[wytco0]

They look like a lot of fun, what the technique for sailing them? they seem to use the paddle as a mixture or rudder and keel as well as for propulsion. !

Are they very tippy? the hull shape looks as though it would be tippy if it was a canoe but they seem pretty stable in those videos.

Might be a fun way of getting out on the broads.

 

[Croak]

bit of drift... but the term for collecting bits of wood is "by hook or by crook"

It is sometimes suggested that 'by hook or by crook' derives from the custom in mediaeval England of allowing peasants to take from royal forests whatever deadwood they could pull down with a shepherd's crook or cut with a reaper's billhook. This feudal custom was recorded in the 1820s by the English rural campaigner William Cobbett, although the custom itself long predates that reference.

in other words I am allowed to pick up the dead wood that has fallen - but being caught with a saw would change the nature of my fuel gathering activities

The saw would be to cut the fallen wood making it easier to transport. I'm not sure about the legality about the "hook or by crook", but I can't go into it in more detail yet as I have to walk the dog before it gets dark (and collect some wood off the beach).

 

[dylanwinter]

stability

They look like a lot of fun, what the technique for sailing them? they seem to use the paddle as a mixture or rudder and keel as well as for propulsion. !

Are they very tippy? the hull shape looks as though it would be tippy if it was a canoe but they seem pretty stable in those videos.

Might be a fun way of getting out on the broads.

they do look pretty stable

if you notice when sailing into the wind they always sail slightly heeled so that the square chine does the same as a centre plate or keel

the oar is used to stop the boat from rounding up into the wind

they do sail in just a couple of feet of water

the aim is to use the boat to get closer to the birds

the old duck shooters used to sail until they were close to the birds, drop the rig and then lie down in the boat and drift up on the birds

the birds are not frightened of boats but they are wary of people

the colour is traditional for duck punts - they are supposed to be the grey of a kittwake's back

take a look at the first film on this page

http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/category/boat-archive-02-great-boats-encountered-along-the-way/

click on the title and it will give you access to a full screen version


Dylan

 

[Croak]

Storage outside?

We have a problem when storing our home made wooden boat.

When upside down the angle between the gunwale and the boat side becomes a great trap for water and rot, even when covered. (condensation)

This year I will cut some wood back so that the water can not collect there.