Number Crunching!

My project is finished minus a few little items but is ready for water,just ran out of time. We had a cold wave through Wichita last week that left morning temps in the single and teen digits and the water in the Arkansas River is low and would need an ice breaker in some places. I did not put biaxal on the bow to accomodate that type of adventure. I hope the weather will settle back into the 40s and I will be able to float before the years end.
So after scouting the river this morning and looking at the chunks of ice,though the temperature is to be in the 50s, came home and figured the numbers.
I started in May of 2008... Don Hill plans 18 Foot driftboat, my own seat design,oars and trailer finished November 2009. 18 months. Some of this time was waiting on weather, supplies, large learning curve, though I have done woodworking, welding etc many years... most of my projects were 90 degree angle ventures and not the curves of this beautiful design. I also wanted to take my time enjoy the process and try and make it right. Plans were $100.60 included in total cost...to get started, around $1000 for wood, stainless screws, adhesive, some epoxy, a little more wood for a total in December 2008 of $2057.70. 2009 brought more in the way of finishing and hardware costs plus the trailer. Totals for 2009 came to $1438.97 Total boat $3597.27 with 601 hours as of the end of Nov. Does not count the many hours of study, bedtime reading, phone calls and internet browsing etc. Trailer to build cost me $1224.07 with 101 hours invested at the end of Nov.
I did not break the time down ,but could, to just build the boat and not the oars and seat would be less hours for sure., but they were hours that refreshed my soul and kept me balanced. Plus the anticipation of using it. So for boat, oar and trailer 101 tution... $4800. It has been a great class! Will send pictures when it takes to water... until then enjoy the land locked ones. Thanks for everyones help, comments and calls. Steve

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Permalink Reply by Bryan McDade on December 13, 2009 at 11:38am
Beaeutiful boat, nice package as a whole. Great job. I hope you have many great times on the river. Awesome!
Permalink Reply by Jonathan Clarke on December 13, 2009 at 2:36pm
Great job on both the boat and the trailer. I'm impressed by people who have both the gumption and the skill set to take on such different kinds of fabrication projects. Hope you can get it in the river yet this year.
Permalink Reply by Scott Hepler on December 13, 2009 at 5:36pm
Steve,
Great job on the boat, Congrats just isn't enough when you complete such a great project. We should plan a get together and do a float this spring. I should have my boat done by then. I am in KC.
Scott
scott@heplerphoto.com
Permalink Reply by Steve Sobba on December 13, 2009 at 5:59pm
Scott, Sounds good to me. Our son lives around Liberty Mo. We go there fairly often. Thanks Steve
Permalink Reply by Greg Hatten on December 13, 2009 at 7:27pm
Way to go Steve... very nice boat!! Really like those seats. Can't wait to see pictures in the water. Enjoy that first float.
GH
Permalink Reply by Scott Hepler on December 15, 2009 at 2:40am
Steve, I live just north of Liberty in Kearney. Small world.
Permalink Reply by Robb Grubb on December 14, 2009 at 10:09pm
Steve,

That is one good lookin' boat! Hope the ice melts soon for your sake...

I am having Mike Baker of www.BakerWoodDriftBoats.com build me the basic hull of a Don Hill 18 footer with some slight modifications to the hull, mainly adding 3 inches of height to the sides with my intentions of decking it over for a whitewater boat.

Do you have any stories or lessons to pass on about building that particular hull ?

Again, great looking boat...

Cheers,

Robb Grubb
www.RiverTraining.net
Permalink Reply by Steve Sobba on December 15, 2009 at 2:08pm
Robb, Over all I enjoyed the build . The curves and all were just the right amount that I did not have to steam any wood... most of that work was done in the warmer humid weather... did have a crack a couple of days after installing the chine at station rib #8 did not removed just epoxied a wood patch around it. I would use a strong back to hold center line bow to stern when installing ribs when inverted. Some how I have a slight twist and the bottom port side station 2 does not sit flat? I did not catch it until later ...did not change it... for now will live with it ...oh the imperfections of man!!!. I had a time with rib #2? with the 21 and 7 degrees also. Also make sure the transom ribs and angles are on the correct side of the transom...re did that. Maybe in all these little things is where I aquire the twist. I had a 2x 4 raised platform on rollers that I used to move the upright boat around in the sho... use screws to assemble not just 16 penny nails or use both... Was in the back of the boat and one corner of the roller stand collapsed sent the bow of the boat in to the ceiling of the shop with damage to bow and side rails and pride. Don't mix up too much epoxy on a hot summer day... makes a nice paper weight. Sounds like Tim The Toolman? No ER visits though. Enjoy, Steve
Permalink Reply by Steve Sobba on December 15, 2009 at 1:32pm
Thanks for all the comments Greg Scott and Robb
.
Permalink Reply by Jesse Ronnow on December 15, 2009 at 7:19pm
Steve,

Looks wonderful. What a beautiful boat. I wish you many wonderful trips on the water.

jdr

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