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

UnlikelyVoyager · #1 02-04-2011

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

UnlikelyVoyager · #2 02-05-2011

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

RXBOT · #3 02-05-2011

Looking at your board in the room I am hoping you are able to get the finished boat out of the room. You will probably add a piece of strapping on the bottom to set your T square on maybe that will help hold it togeather also. I wonder if you added another at the top in case you wanted to measure down would be of any benefit.

Good luck & Good lines

UnlikelyVoyager · #4 02-05-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by RXBOT

Looking at your board in the room I am hoping you are able to get the finished boat out of the room. You will probably add a piece of strapping on the bottom to set your T square on maybe that will help hold it togeather also. I wonder if you added another at the top in case you wanted to measure down would be of any benefit.

Good luck & Good lines

Yes, the boat is only 10' long. I made the lofting board 13' so I could use 12' battens on the sheer line, etc.

No problems getting it out when I'm done.

WanderingStar · #5 02-06-2011

Sounds exciting, can't wait to see it.

deniseO30 · #6 02-06-2011

Ah... one of my favorite little boats.

Your definitely in for a learning experience.

She is shown in traditional build. I'm sure she could be done in "glued lapstrake" and using only one or two sawn frames under the seat areas. Many glued lap boats have no ribs at all.

Some of the things that will be involved with a traditional build; Steam bending, a steam bent and rabbited stem, (one very difficult operation that sometimes can be done easier with a inner and outer stem) long skinny steamed ribs.(easy) Clinker and or rove and rivet fastenings.(extra hands help alllot) Fitting the planks to the stem is where many builders get hung up. You will need a rabbet plane like a Stanley 92

Spiling is not real difficult to learn, by all means have cheap luan underlayment on hand to use for patterns or temporary planks. Do you have a source for the white cedar? Oh.. then there are scarf joints if but you should be able to get white cedar in longer lengths. Red is very brittle and splits real easy. even though it's easy to source. Looking forward to your progress!

deniseO30 · #7 02-06-2011

real slow and boring demo on cutting a stem rabbet.
YouTube - Cutting a stem rabbet

UnlikelyVoyager · #8 02-06-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by deniseO30

Ah... one of my favorite little boats.

Your definitely in for a learning experience.

She is shown in traditional build. I'm sure she could be done in "glued lapstrake" and using only one or two sawn frames under the seat areas. Many glued lap boats have no ribs at all.

Some of the things that will be involved with a traditional build; Steam bending, a steam bent and rabbited stem, (one very difficult operation that sometimes can be done easier with a inner and outer stem) long skinny steamed ribs.(easy) Clinker and or rove and rivet fastenings.(extra hands help alllot) Fitting the planks to the stem is where many builders get hung up. You will need a rabbet plane like a Stanley 92

Spiling is not real difficult to learn, by all means have cheap luan underlayment on hand to use for patterns or temporary planks. Do you have a source for the white cedar? Oh.. then there are scarf joints if but you should be able to get white cedar in longer lengths. Red is very brittle and splits real easy. even though it's easy to source. Looking forward to your progress!

Yes, I haven't decided 100%, but I'm thinking of going glued lapstrake, with an inner and outer stem. I keep flipping back and forth between traditional cedar planking and glued lapstrake. I have time to decide, obviously!

-- John

UnlikelyVoyager · #9 02-06-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by WanderingStar

Sounds exciting, can't wait to see it.

Hey, where on LI are you? I'm in Huntington.

deniseO30 · #10 02-06-2011

ML condon in White Plains would be the place for white cedar.