UnlikelyBoatBuilder: Building the 10' Atkin Sailing Dinghy "Vintage"

[UnlikelyBoatbuilder]

Okay! It's finally time to get started on this winter's build!

The goal is to build the William Atkin designed "Vintage" in time for the "I Built It Myself" show at the Wooden Boat Show in Mystic, CT.

Why "Vintage"? Several reasons.

First, I think it's time I tackled a round-bottom boat. Again, I think this is a project that is way above my current skill level, but I'm a real believer in the adage that people can do more than they think they can. Just because I doubt my ability to build such a complicated boat, is no reason to not do it.

Sounds weird, right? Ah well...

Read Blog Post: Building "Vintage"

Clear lumber: John

 

[UnlikelyBoatbuilder]

Lofting Board

Now that I've cut out the two pieces of my lofting board, it's time to assemble it into one 3/4" x 4' x 13' surface. I also want to white-wash it.

The boat building books (BBBs) discuss lots of ways to assemble the lofting board. Probably the best way is to screw the various panels down on the floor. I didn't want to do this because I didn't want to drill holes in my floor, and also I wanted to be able to move the board if needed, or even lean it up against the wall to get it out of the way...

Read blog post: Lofting Board

Fair lines: John

 

[sarabande]

what a nice friendly chatty blog ! I hope you make good progress with that elegant design.

 

[chinita]

Good Man!

Remember, measure twice - cut once!

 

[Rum_Pirate]

Good Man!

Remember, measure twice - cut once!

A man made a door but it was too big.
So he cut a piece off but found it was too small.
So he cut another piece off and it fitted????

 

[UnlikelyBoatbuilder]

Good Man!

Remember, measure twice - cut once!

I seem to do everything twice Just laid down the grid for lofting, then decided it just wasn't good enough, erased the whole thing, and did it again. Much better the second time.

 

[UnlikelyBoatbuilder]

what a nice friendly chatty blog ! I hope you make good progress with that elegant design.

Thanks! One step at a time...

 

[UnlikelyBoatbuilder]

The Grid

So what is a lofting board for? For lofting, of course.

Lofting is the process of blowing up the relatively small-scale plans you get from your naval architect (in my case, from William Atkin), into full size plans.

This process is thought to be so complicated that many modern architects supply full-size plans to eliminate the need for lofting. Just roll out the plans and start building. But if you don't know how to loft, you can't build about 98% of boats, because full-size plans aren't available.

Plus, you miss out on all the fun of lofting, which really is a kind of relaxing exercise, once you have all your hair torn out...

Read blog post: The Grid

Fair Lines: John

 

[UnlikelyBoatbuilder]

Battered by Battens

Battens are one of those things that professional boat builders take for granted, I think. They've seen them since their first apprentice days, know what they look like, their different sizes, which batten is right for which curve, and on and on.

Not so for we poor amateurs trying to learn boat building out of books. I must admit they are still a bit of a mystery to me. Such a simple tool. So important. So easy to break!

Read blog post: Battered By Battens

Clear wood: John