Order of finishing a boat

[davidpm]

You see that is why I ask dumb questions. I would have thought varnish would go on last.

Although I'm sure I'll get plenty of practice either way as the varnish will likely need touching up sooner than the paint.

I'm building a Spindrift 10N from B&B.
Yes it is Okume ply with epoxy and glass at the seams and just epoxy every where else.
I modified things a bit to put in some brightwork just for fun. I'm sure I'll regret it in a couple of years.

Originally Posted by svey

I've build a PK78 from bateau.com 4 years ago. I've painted the inside of the dinghy with Brightside Polyurethane. No primer is necessary but removal of amine blush as to be done perfectly. I've varnish the outside hull using an International varnish directly over the epoxy again being sure to remove amine blush from the epoxy. I would always varnish before painting because I find it easier to wipe paint of varnish than the opposite.

[merttan]

1- Cash in your wallet...
2- Writing checks...
3- Sliding credit cards...
4- Home equity loan...
5- Ready or not, move in the boat

[JohnRPollard]

Originally Posted by blt2ski

Any way, the 8ball was the one I have toyed with the most. But the 8' Acorn? ie V'd nose S&G boat with plans availible thru WB. I would prefer to by a kit for ease of time etc, but alas, at this time, no one has an 8' dinghy if one will that is not pram styled. Also there is a Bedwell? not remembering the name off the top of my head, was here in the NW< now back east. has a 8 and 8.5' boat I like in a book of plans he has.

Marty,

As much as I like the look of a pointy-bow dinghy, I have come to the opinion that in the 8' +/- size range, a pram just makes more sense. Our 8' Dyer dinghy is a great little boat, very stable, carries a good load. But compare it to the 8' pram-bow Eastport dinghy that Sailaway just ordered and you will see that a lot of useful space/volume/stability is lost by insisting on a pointy bow. Pram bow's are nice for approaching the mothership too.

But if pointy bow is what you are looking for, I will quickly mention an article in this month's (May) Messing About in Boats detailing a nice looking 8-footer by Arch Davis design. It's not an S&G, but looks relatively easy to pull together. Called "Grace's Tender", it can be seen at Wood Boat Plans, Wooden Boat Kits and Boat Designs - Arch Davis Design

[Sailormann]

My 0.02...

If you are fibreglassing anything that has a radius or curve to it. Don't do it and then try to bend the fibreglass. Construct it and then seal it.

Don't leave the epoxy exposed to the sunlight or it will deteriorate much more quickly. If you are leaving the boat bright, and if you find a finish coat - etiher varnish or something else - that is UV retardant and apply this over the epoxy, your construction will probably last longer.

[blt2ski]

LOL John,

I was wondering if you or someone else would bring up the better stability, carry capacity etc of the pram vs V nose in the <10' lengths. No issues there, and it has been on my mind.

There is a local company Gig Harbor yachts that has Fiberglass versions, very pretty in there own right, the 10' being the least drag when towing vs the 8 and 9' versions.

Jay benford was the person I was trying to remember yesterday, looked up the book on bookshelf. He has an 8' Portland yawlboat, 8.5 and 9.5 dinghys in his "small craft plan" book. Benford Design Group is the website.

I have to admit, the Eastport pram is a very pretty boat! and that one is one worth looking at for any one needing a dinghy, and wanting a S&G kit boat to build, and I have mentioned it on here before myself. I do not remember if it is the 8' or the 10 version that is able to do a stack setup too. I seem to recall mentioning that one to Val for his world cruise, but got the Fiberglass NN10 equal. Yours is finished very nicely too.

Wife even likes it. But I do admit, an El Toro or equal with a local class that races would go to the top if I can figure that out, as then it can serve as a dinghy, I can race it too........

Any way, need to feed the cats, find breakfast, then do a quick clean up of the boat and have a 2 race bouy race with an 11am start, it is 0814pdt as I type this.

Then maybe cleaning up the deck, ie a bit o wetsanding te smooth surfaces, then I can attempt to buff up the deck and shine it up! today and tomorrow.....

marty