Now for a little something about the Boat Build Project and the guy making all the sawdust…
About The Build
Goals:
- Build a Tango Skiff 17 stitch and glue boat with no prior knowledge of boat building and a modicum of woodworking skills.
- Take advantage of the nearby Hudson River and other bodies of water.
- Enjoy boating with my family, friends or alone.
For more on why I selected this particular motorboat, read Boat Build Project – A Tango Skiff 17.
Progress
Update 05-25-2019 Getting closer to turning over the boat to fiberglass, epoxy and paint the bottom and sides. Transom extensions have been cut out. They need to be fitted, fiberglassed and epoxied before the flip.
Contrary to my 4-26-2019 update, the rub rails, breasthook, and side decks will come after completing the bottom (as noted above). These will coincide with completing the interior of the boat which will include sanding, fairing, epoxy coating all surfaces, fiberglassing the cockpit floor and possibly the seats as well.
Update 04-26-2019 Slow and steady. The front and rear bulkheads are in. The floorboard is in and needs to be faired into the bottom panels. The rear seat has been glued in but still needs fillets and taping. The front seat will be glued in shortly. Next up are cutting and fitting the rub rails, breasthook, and side decks.
Update 04-25-2018 Making visible progress (see picture above) and improving my skills along the way. I’ve learned to use some new tools and even learned how to scarf plywood with a hand plane. At the rate I’m going, I’ll never again be able to say “Sorry honey, I don’t know how to do that.”
Cool. Now What?
Step 1. Grab a drink and follow along. Here are a few articles to get you started:
- Sides Stitched on the Tango Skiff – It’s a Boat!
- Swim Platform for the Tango Skiff Transom Extensions
- Challenges in Heating a Boat Workshop
- Movable Boat Cradle and Stands
Step 2. Follow Boat Build Project on Pinterest and Instagram.
Step 3. Reach out with your questions, comments, and advice on the Contact page.
Who Is This Guy? Or Specialization is for Insects
Here’s a common question that provides some insight into this would-be boatbuilder…
Question: Why build a boat?
Possible answers include:
a. Because…
A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.” – Lazarus Long in Time Enough for Love
(I’ve always loved this quote.)
b. Because being a full-time dad, husband, IT professional and student aren’t enough challenges.
c. To build my practical skills for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. IT skills won’t get me very far.
d. I’m going slightly mad.
e. All of the above.
The Next Build
With everything I’m learning, the next boat should really be something… Wait. Who am I kidding? It’ll be a while before I can take on something like this again. But a guy can dream. Live aboard retirement boat? Ocean-faring multihull? Why not both?