After much delay everything is finally in order so I can start the NorthWind as a strip build. I have had the plans for so long I am surprised Matt has not shown up to repo them.
The boat was designed by JEMWATERCRAFT.com as a stitch and glue, but I asked Matt to redraw it for me as a stripper so it will be a one of a kind for now. Matt calls this boat the "Northwind" and it is based off of Verlen Kruger's "SeaWind".
I started by building a new table for the stiffback to mount on.







I will start cutting out the patterns for the boat over the next few days. I usually take about two weeks or so to get the forms cut out and build the stiffback before you ever start building the boat. This is what you get as far as plans. Each of those patterns will be cut out and glued to plywood to make the form of the boat before applying Wester red cedar strips.



To make something that will look kinda like this.

Got a little done this evening. Laid out the one foot marks and pulled a straight line.





Made up a few stations that the forms will mount on.



Mounted the stations on the table.



Then pulled some more string lines to make sure everything is straight and level.

Got a little more done to the Brazos Cruiser tonight. Started cutting the patterns for the forms out.



I am using 1/2 inch Birch plywood for the forms on this boat. Gluing the patterns down with Super 77 Spray Adhesive.



Boy, I sure am glad there is not one more form on this boat or it would have been tough to fit it on one piece of plywood.



Rough cutting and sanding the forms.





Getting the bow and stations 1 and two set in place. Only 14 more to go. Then I can start putting the strips on.

Got a little more done to the NorthWind tonight. I finished making the stations for the forms to mount on.



Layed all of the pieces in the place to make sure I have everything in it's proper spot.



Pulled another string line down the center and started fastening forms down.



Got all of the forms mounted and just need to do a little tweeking before starting to install strips.





I have not even put the first strip on this boat, but I am already loving her lines.



I am trying to get all that i can done before Nov.29 because I have Knee surgery again and will be laid up for a couple of weeks. Same knee and same problem that I had fixed on Oct.30 of last year.

This boat seems to be going well. I got started putting some strips on tonight. I am using Western Red Cedar on this one and I really like the way it cuts and sands.

With first strip being the most important I must have messed with them for over an hour on each side before I was happy with them. After those are placed just right it is really pretty easy from there.

Time for a little update. Sometimes the way you visualize something and the way it looks while doing it are totally different. That is where I have been for the last couple of days. I was using Western Red Cedar on this boat and I could not find any lumber long enough to run the length of the boat, So I was having to make joints. I was not crazy about the idea of seeing a bunch of joints on this boat to begin with and the more strips I put on the less I liked it. Today i made the decision to tear all of the strips off and start over. I went by RedWoods Inc. here in Waco and talked to Greg about what he had that I could use. He could order me A grade Cedar at the length I wanted but it was pretty expensive, but he did have some A Grade Redwood in the lengths that i wanted that were actually cheaper. So I am going to have another RedWood boat.

Here is where I was at today.



Here is where I was at about five minutes later.




I already like the RedWood better.



Added a couple of highlight strips this time also.





Back on track now so maybe I will have pics of progress to post.

Damn. Now I want to build a boat. Im a guitar builder by trade, so I have the tools, but not a chance at having the space.
I can certainly appreciate the amount of care and attention that goes into getting all your patterns set out the way they need to be!
One of these days Im taking a couple of months off and putting a bunch of stuff in storage to build me a boat! Ha ha.

This has the makings of a very cool thread. Keep the pictures coming.

Sweet project, DarrellS. Love your shop too. I wish I had that much room to work in. Very nice.



PS. that is one big ol' lab. That fella's got a neck on him, looks like a blue catfish.

Great post Darrell. Thanks for sharing.

Phill

As mentioned in the last update I tore all the strips off and started over. I was messing around this afternoon and decided to see just how strong the joints and TiteBond II really are. They are pretty strong.



As always my helper was present.



Got a few more strips layed tonight.



At this point in time the bow and stern strips just run wild. I will trim them to length later.

Didn't get as far as I was hoping to this weekend (I turned 40 on Sat and my Daughter turned 16 today), but it is getting there. Everything is going good with no problems so far. The stern has a pretty good twist right at the end and you have to work with the strips a little to get them placed right, but no big deal.

From the Bow. I need to put 3 more strips on the left and two more on the right. Then I will start running down the middle for awhile and things should speed up then.



From the stern



Sides





This is the glue that I use. Once wood is glued up it will tear wood instead of the glue joint breaking.



Fiberglass and epoxy has arrived from US Composites.

I have done tests with the same glue. (only the titebond 2) I had some laminated pieces, and hit them with a hammer until they broke. Several attempts, and not once has it ever broke at the glue joint. Always splinters the wood. Good choice.

nice & looks strong!