Build Nearing Final Stages

I have been either working on a place for this drift boat or on the boat itself for three years. Here are a few teaser pictures of some of the parts that I have ready. This was originally a 16' 6" Tatman kit from almost eight years ago. I bought it from a fellow in Bellingham that had stored it at Tatman for a year and then finally came down and picked it up. I then stored it a couple of years or so while I prepared a workspace. To make a long story shorter, here's a few pictures.

Rick Newman

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Permalink Reply by mitchell on April 22, 2012 at 7:39pm

purrrdy Rick.

One thing I saw in one of your posts. Your purchasing sand paper at Lowes/Depot. Have you tried Western Tool Supply as a source for paper? I'm getting 100 5" disks for 20.00 bucks or so. Aren't the Lowes/Depot prices 4 bucks or so for 5 disks? Ouch

Permalink Reply by mlwebb on April 22, 2012 at 9:22pm

Looking very good Rick, look forward to seeing it (and you).

Re sanding (a subject near and dear to every woodworker) - I like the new Porter Cable 5" low profile sander and Mirka hook&loop disks (about $25 per 50 at Woodcraft, 5 or 6 dollars cheaper at the local cabinet supply). I have a few quarter sheet sanders for finish sanding, etc, but the PC random orbit has more amps, which makes a difference when there is a bit to do :) Good vac attachment too, keeps the dust down (and out of my long suffering lungs, I am not very good at wearing dusk masks).

Michael

Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on April 22, 2012 at 11:09pm

Mitchell and Michael, thanks for the compliments. It has been a long road. Mitchell, I don't know if we have a Western Tool and Supply in Spokane any more. Michael, I have always wanted to try the Mirka system it looks pretty good. I have to presume that they use a pretty good quality abrasive so their discs may have longer life than most. You'll have to give me a report. Speaking of sanding, Silver Tip epoxy works better as a depth builder for varnish when you brush it on I discovered. I tried a roller and spreaders. Not a smooth sight. So seven hours later I no longer have epoxy on the outside of my panels. I wish they had suggested to brush it or if they did I wish they would state it more clearly or in bigger print  for older eyes!

There's about 3.5 hours and 15 65 grit discs. That is just one side panel, I did the other one Saturday. I am the Michael school of sanding too, not very good at wearing a mask either. I'm a bad boy.

However, I am making progress. Stem and transom as well as two frames in by dark today. More frames, two chine logs and a floor, hopefully more tomorrow.

Boat got it's first ride on it's new trailer, the one I picked up in Vancouver, WA a few weeks ago. It is just going across the street as my garage is a little full as you can see. It has been a challenge to do all the work in there. It is great to be able to work outside.

After I loaded up the boat I got a coat of oil based Porch and Floor paint on my floor. Should be a nice contrast to the wood, not too bright in the sun and easy to spot # 22 flies on. Yeah right, maybe some # 0 Intruders.

It was wonderful to have some help tonight from my neighbor when I attached the stem and transom to the sides. So far it has just been me and my son helped with some epoxy a long time ago. I figure three more 12 to 16 hour days and I should be ready to leave.

Looking forward to some time on the water and meeting new friends and enjoying my old ones.

Rick Newman

Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on April 23, 2012 at 8:20am

Greg, didn't mean to leave you out. Thanks for your compliment too.

Rick Newman

Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on April 26, 2012 at 12:09pm

Well, I hope Robb Grubb won't be disappointed. He is going to have to find a ride down river just like I am. This year my boat will not make the Festival. Not enough time to finish building it in the manner I want to.

I was spray painting the side panels with a mixture of finish and stain that I hadn't tested. The finish looks good when it could get through the spray gun. I was in a hurry and kept hoping it would work. No such luck and I was too stubborn to quit and find a solution. It was getting dark and time was running out. I HAD to get it done.

For those of you who know Greg Hatten you probably know his boat his named "Obsession". Greg and I share similar behavioral traits. So I wasn't going to quit spraying and NOT get my boat finished. Well the needle and matching nozzle weren't getting any bigger. So I quit for the night, covered the boat with a tarp because I was too tired to clean out the garage so I could store it there.

About 12:16 AM my son knocked on the bedroom door and said " The boat is getting blown around the yard!" There's a big thunderstorm and the winds are strong. Wonderful! What next? Anyway we made our way outside and cleared a path in the garage, picked up the boat and sat it upside down on the plywood table. I shut the door and went back to bed.

Tuesday morning I got up and finally decided to check on the boat and it's condition. The starboard side looked just fine, just a slightly popped nail. The port side however is a different story. Unsupported 1/4" plywood will break when it hits a boat trailer! Two cracks or rips along the chine area were found. One is about two inches long and the second about an inch. They will be supported by the chine log and covered by the chine cap after I repair and epoxy them.

Tuesday wasn't a good day. Not only was the boat finish a mess, yes I can resand and redo but this will be the fourth time I have fully sanded this side of these panels. First time to get it ready for epoxy, second time after the first two coats of epoxy. Third time to remove the Silvertip Epoxy that I applied with a roller not a brush. At least I know how to do that job!

Now the boat had two tears in the edge and I was even further behind on my obsession to get the boat to the Festival. I was also just plain exhausted from boat work, fireplace mantel building and a finish carpentry job on an early 1900's house. So Tuesday was spent just resting and planning. Could I possibly get the boat down to my standards, remove the old boat support on the trailer and still leave by Friday morning? I talked to my parter in obsessive behavior and decided to give it a try. Wednesday was spent fitting a chine log and signing bank paperwork. At 9 PM I decided I probably can't make it and shut down the shop. The boat and it's parts are safe from most dangers, however at this point I'm sure something else can happen.

I told Greg I have come up with a name for my vessel. "Challenge", for all the issues I have had to overcome, the whole build has been a challenge.

So the bottom line is I am in the process of packing up now and will soon be on the road without my boat to the 7th Annual McKenzie River Wooden Boat Festival anyway!

Rick Newman

Permalink Reply by Greg Max on April 26, 2012 at 3:38pm

Oh man, that sounds like a rough go Rick!  I have to say, I admire your dedication to the project.  On the bright side, you've already got your first few boat dings out of the way and no longer need to stress about it!  Every challenge is also an opportunity.  Maybe you'll see something at the show that you want to work in?  Travel safely and get some good pics at the show.

Greg Max

Permalink Reply by Guy Fredrickson on April 26, 2012 at 4:01pm

Rick, You will recover from this!  And "Challenge" will be an awesome name.  Guy

Permalink Reply by Terry E Walsh on April 26, 2012 at 8:38pm
Very nice!
Permalink Reply by Kurt Selisch on April 27, 2012 at 7:14am

Rick, so sorry to read about the events prior to the festival. I think your boat is appropriately named. Hopefully you will return from the festival refreshed and you can relax and enjoy the rest of your build. Pictures look great!

Permalink Reply by mitchell on April 27, 2012 at 7:40am

Rick,

boats and rivers teach us a lot. Keep that go with the flow attitude that I know you have.

Permalink Reply by Greg Hatten on April 27, 2012 at 12:03pm

Oh man... we can all relate and empathize!!  No worries - we'll float the "Challenge" another day.  Drive safe - see you on the McKenzie.

GH

Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on April 27, 2012 at 12:18pm

Hey guys, I appreciate everyone's kind words. I am looking forward to arriving in Vida, Should be there in 3 or 4 hours. I have been thinking about offering a new service. For those that are familiar with Fender Electric Guitars you know they produce pre-aged guitars that are already road-worn so that they look like a classic vintage collectable guitar. Vintage guitars are worth much more than new. 

So I think I'll open a service called Rick's Vintage Drift Boats. I can travel to your location, work my magic and make your new boat look Road-Worn and like it's been down many a river. I could even offer special finishes like "Chum Salmon Slime", "Musky and Pike Delight" for our Midwest boaters. Beating up chines, fiberglass patches and repairs, damaged gunwales or what ever you want. Get rid of that new boat feeling in a weekend, leave me with your boat, you take the weekend off and return home to boat you can show off to your friends. I'll even take pictures and post them here!

Guy and Michael Rosso, I'll offer you guys special deals. Fish slime, dents and dings and a couple of patches for the cost of travel, food, beer and expenses. Sign up now. Spaces are filling up.

Why have a new boat when you can have a Vintage Wooden Drift Boat!

Hey, thanks again to everyone, I'm looking forward to visiting, shooting pictures and video and a great weekend.

Warmest Regards,

Rick "Vintage" Newman

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