Getaload of my Shearwater 17

Mikey · 30 Sep 2011 7:44 pm

I finally decided on the Shearwater 17 as it's a really modern-looking design. It should be quick enough for fast day touring and it carries enough load for trips. And all the holes are drilled for me - perfect!!

I ordered on Tuesday and it arrived this morning. It's opened and all looks great. Just glued the planks (is that the right expression?) together and hope to make the most of the warm weather and get on before the snow !!

I will add pics later.

Mikey · 6 Oct 2011 6:32 pm

Well, Here she is! Progress being a little slower than anticipated due to domestic chores getting ready for winter .
Well it's started and the boat is already taking shape. She looks like it will be a nice and sleek, efficient ride.

A few of the bulkheads and forms in place.

Check out my dodgy glassing. Not bad for a first effort!

So far I am really pleased. It all fits and goes together really well. Just wish I could spend all day doing it. I want to be on the water this Christmas.

Richard · 14 Oct 2011 5:51 am

No doubt paid work is getting in the way of finishing!! I would be intersted in knowing how long it takes you to build.

Mikey · 2 Nov 2011 7:57 pm

Well, I've been able to grab a couple of part days to get on with the kayak and it's starting to take shape...
The side panels were wired in place...

along with the bulkheads.......

gluing together the panels with small bits of glue.....taking out the wires

wiring the deck to the hull with some glue tack welds inbetween the wires whilst enjoying a brief pause from the rain!

Next step is wires out and gluing the whole thing together. Then, the bit I am dreading is the glass matting as it looks really hard. It looks so easy on the film, it just can't be though can it?

fairplay · 3 Nov 2011 4:23 pm

...courage! - you came so far, the glassing is nothing to worry about...it can became a little sticky though ...

Mikey · 3 Nov 2011 7:05 pm

Thanks. I'll pray for warmth and let you know how Iget on.

fairplay · 3 Nov 2011 8:13 pm

...not only from the experience i made today let me add that i again used too much epoxy (but this time i scraped it off again ) and that i really like the squeegee in addition to brushes...for my first Pax i had only used brushes, but now found that the squeegee works better for me in terms of equal distribution of the epoxy in plane areas...

Last edited by fairplay (3 Nov 2011 8:13 pm)

Paul · 4 Nov 2011 8:13 am

I totally agree with Fairplay about the squeegee. I use a squeegee to spread the epoxy very thinly onto the bare wood and to spread the epoxy on the fabric. This ensures that the layer of epoxy is thin and even. However, just to make it clear that we are not talking about the sponge and rubber contraption used for cleaning windows this is the link to the item: Squeegee

Mikey · 8 Nov 2011 5:50 pm

Paul and Fairplay,

Thanks for the advice. I am now properly armed and galvenising myself for the epic. Actually, I can't wait to get on with it, but I'm stuck in a soleless hotel room wishing I could fettle my boat in a cold garage.

Hopefully next weekend I will get chance.

#1 30 Sep 2011 7:44 pm

Getaload of my Shearwater 17

#2 6 Oct 2011 6:32 pm

Re: Getaload of my Shearwater 17

#3 14 Oct 2011 5:51 am

Re: Getaload of my Shearwater 17

#4 2 Nov 2011 7:57 pm

Re: Getaload of my Shearwater 17

#5 3 Nov 2011 4:23 pm

Re: Getaload of my Shearwater 17

#6 3 Nov 2011 7:05 pm

Re: Getaload of my Shearwater 17

#7 3 Nov 2011 8:13 pm

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#8 4 Nov 2011 8:13 am

Re: Getaload of my Shearwater 17

#9 8 Nov 2011 5:50 pm

Re: Getaload of my Shearwater 17

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