What this is about

We live by the D'Entrecasteaux Channel in Southern Tasmania. It, and much of the Tasmanian coast, offer amazing cruising possibilities. Previously, we owned an old, sturdy and fast 33 ft Huon pine sloop that we loved. The things it didn't offer - easy portability to other waters, shoal draft, beachability and the simplicity of dinghy-like sailing - are the things we gradually craved more and more.
For at least a few years I have thought that I should build an open, or mostly open, 20-something footer that would satisfy these urges. After much looking around at designs, we finally settled on the Stir Ven.
She is beautiful, fast, seaworthy, floats in 25cm of water and is designed as an adventure boat on which one can spend a few nights.
We hope she will be ready for use by the summer of 2012/13!

Thursday, August 23, 2012

overdue update

Here's a brief update of what I've been up to.....

I spent quite a bit of time making the hatchway, hatch and sliding mechanism. It was fiddly but quite satisfying work and I'm pleased that it all worked out well. I used Celery-top pine - a native Tasmanian timber that is traditionally used in boats - for the runners, trim etc. I will use this timber for most of the visible timber work (e.g. coamings, rub rails, toe rails etc). It is expensive because it is getting more scarce but it is well worth it as it is durable and quite a nice golden, blonde colour.

I was lucky enough to be able to borrow a bandsaw for a little while and this has made it easy to cut out the curves beams/trims for the hatch opening and hatch (5 curved pieces in all)




companionway with internal trim and slider rails fitted

I also filled all the dozens of screw holes on the deck (with TPRDA epoxy then epoxy putty) in readiness for glassing it

coachhouse suits the sheer of the boat nicely

deck screw holes filled (after removing screws)
Meanwhile, I have also been preparing celery top pine timbers for the next steps. I have dressed the coaming timbers and scarfed some timber for the rub rails. 



scarfed rub rails - they seem long!


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2 comments:

  1. RandAugust 23, 2012 at 2:45 AM

    Looking good Stan.
    Sounds like your piking on the laid deck?
    I'm liking the colour scheme, it'll all look pretty fresh with the celery top pine trim.
    Still 5 months till the Wooden Boat Festival, looks like your on track for the sail past - get on to those spars soon!

    Cheers
    Mike

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    Replies
    1. stan and briAugust 23, 2012 at 2:13 PM

      thanks Mike. Yes, I've gone for light colours - light paints and blond timbers.
      Yep, I piked on the deck for various reasons - cost, time to make and upkeep. The painted, glass decks on our old boat were really tough and were virtually zero maintenance. I also felt a bit weird about making it look like a boat with a timber deck. That said, I am still having some regrets because your deck looks so beautiful!
      I'm onto the spars as soon as I've glassed the deck. I am in rush mode now because i really want to finish by Christmas. Gulp!
      cheers,
      Stan

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