Tootsall
Paddler
After last year's Coho build I decided that I would go for #2. For a while I really thought seriously about building the double/triple (we have a 55 lb dog who likes canoeing with us) but figured I'd save that for the 3rd build. (When you are retired you tend to have time for silly things like building too many boats).
Pygmy delivered the kit via Fedex on April 16, just after our return home from the Easter trip to Victoria; I'd already decided that shipping the boat was actually cheaper than going across on MV Coho and picking it up myself what with hotel bills and all. Besides, Mrs. could spend more time with her Mom in Cadboro Bay this way.
Long story short: it is WONDERFUL not having to deal with warped panels! In one week I've already gained a full week on the first build and that doesn't count the "redo" on the hull stitching that I had to do first time around. I've decided to build hatch holddowns similar to what Kathy did (thanks, Kathy, for the great pictures and commentary) and will likely attempt to set up the bungees using the technique she used. I'll be using webbing padeyes similar to Dan's also since I really like the super-clean deck that results. While waiting for epoxy to dry it's great to have little "fiddly bits" to work on!
I also learned A LOT about using the squeegee to properly reduce unnecessary weight when glassing out components. I think this build will come out probably 5 to 7 lb lighter than #1 (which came in around 47 lb with hatches and full rigging). Temperature is still a problem. We've been running an ambient of about 10-12 C lately although there have been a couple of days up to 22. The real problem is that an unheated garage drops temperature dramatically at night when the outside temps fall to 3-5C! I shudder to think what this month's electric bill is going to be thanks to the space heater I put in the garage to help epoxy cure.
I decided to go with Silver Tip this time around. Probably a mistake considering our temparatures but I went with the slow hardener. Given the choice today I'd have taken the Fast instead. Getting that temperature up around 22 makes one heck of a difference in cure rate. I'm using leftover GP from the #1 build for the inner "bits and pieces" and making up "glue" (aka "peanut butter and honey").
One final thing that I learned the first time around: make your assembly bench flat and level BEFORE you even open the shipping packages! That way you won't be stuck half-way through the build trying to get the hull all nicely faired and "square" when it is flopping around on the wires!
Pictures will be updated as the build progresses at http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v108/ ... %20No%202/ .
Pygmy delivered the kit via Fedex on April 16, just after our return home from the Easter trip to Victoria; I'd already decided that shipping the boat was actually cheaper than going across on MV Coho and picking it up myself what with hotel bills and all. Besides, Mrs. could spend more time with her Mom in Cadboro Bay this way.
Long story short: it is WONDERFUL not having to deal with warped panels! In one week I've already gained a full week on the first build and that doesn't count the "redo" on the hull stitching that I had to do first time around. I've decided to build hatch holddowns similar to what Kathy did (thanks, Kathy, for the great pictures and commentary) and will likely attempt to set up the bungees using the technique she used. I'll be using webbing padeyes similar to Dan's also since I really like the super-clean deck that results. While waiting for epoxy to dry it's great to have little "fiddly bits" to work on!
I also learned A LOT about using the squeegee to properly reduce unnecessary weight when glassing out components. I think this build will come out probably 5 to 7 lb lighter than #1 (which came in around 47 lb with hatches and full rigging). Temperature is still a problem. We've been running an ambient of about 10-12 C lately although there have been a couple of days up to 22. The real problem is that an unheated garage drops temperature dramatically at night when the outside temps fall to 3-5C! I shudder to think what this month's electric bill is going to be thanks to the space heater I put in the garage to help epoxy cure.
I decided to go with Silver Tip this time around. Probably a mistake considering our temparatures but I went with the slow hardener. Given the choice today I'd have taken the Fast instead. Getting that temperature up around 22 makes one heck of a difference in cure rate. I'm using leftover GP from the #1 build for the inner "bits and pieces" and making up "glue" (aka "peanut butter and honey").
One final thing that I learned the first time around: make your assembly bench flat and level BEFORE you even open the shipping packages! That way you won't be stuck half-way through the build trying to get the hull all nicely faired and "square" when it is flopping around on the wires!
Pictures will be updated as the build progresses at http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v108/ ... %20No%202/ .