Lady Bug

[tx river rat]

Couple weeks ago a gentleman contacted me about building a wood yak for his wife. He knew what boat he wanted , well we kicked back and forth and came to an agreement .
Tuesday the plans came in , Wed picked up a little wood and Thursday the saw dust started flying.

I got started today and cut some strips and started laying out the center panel.

The boat will be a combo of western red ceder and white pine.

Got the bottom panel glued up.

And we are off to the races.
Ron

 

[tx river rat]

Got a little more done
Both risers striped and glued

Those dudes have some curve to them

I believe this is the straightest grain cedar I have ever used

Nice color and there is even some black in the grain,should look good with glass over it.
Ron

 

[tx river rat]

I didnt post yesterday but I got the side panels glued up.

Today I laid out and cut the bulkheads

Then cranked the ole planer up and ran the panels, I made the bottom in 2 panels so I glued it back together , turned out good.

the wood in this boat is great looking
here is a couple pics of the riser panels and the side panels

Dang I dont know if I want to let this boat go :lol:
Ron
PS I did wet these panels down to look at the color so for they havent melted
:lol: :lol:

 

[tx river rat]

Got a few minutes to play with the Lady bug . I started stitching her up and now she is starting to look like a boat

I would have run some filets but it was to cold, tomorrow it is suppose to warm up

This boat is going together really fast
Ron

 

[Wannabe]

Ron,
It is looking good. Keep the pictures comming.
Bob

 

[tx river rat]

After taking off for a few days , dang Texas weather, I got back on the bug, got the outside filets run and then sanded her down smooth again

Ole boat is taking shape

Ron

 

[tx river rat]

Finished sanding and wet her down.

not sure if I want to sell this boat ( Kidding Ricky)

I will do what ever you want but if I was going to keep this boat there would be no graphite on the bottom it is just to pretty.
Let me know.
Ron

 

[tx river rat]

Pre coated the boat with epoxy and went back and color matched the stitch holes .

Then sanded her back down with 120 grit

Got a couple more places to touch up then its time to put the cloth on her
Ron

 

[Kayak Jack]

This fella must be important to you, Ron. You're moving right along on that boat.

 

[tx river rat]

Jack
I gave this gentleman a date that is before his wifes birthday, I would like to finish it and be able to let the epoxy harden for a couple weeks before she gets it.
So I guess I am saying stay with it now and relax and enjoy at the end.\
Ron

 

[tx river rat]

Cut and laid the cloth on the hull , I let it sit an hour or so rubbing out the wrinkles a few times.

Then on with the epoxy , I am still amazed at how it clears and the wood shows trough.

Ron

 

[jdupre']

She's purty, Ron. I really like the contrasting wood.

Joey

 

[rhutchinson]

She's a beauty Ron. This is gonna get your friend some major points!

Richard

 

[tx river rat]

To Tell the truth I hate to get rid of her , I think she is going to be my prettiest boat so far.
Thanks for the thumbs up guys
Ron

 

[rpecot]

Nice.

 

[oldsparkey]

Ron...

That is one sharp looking boat and you know she will like it when her husband gives it to her , if he does not keep it for himself. That would be one hard boat to let go of.

 

[beekeeper]

I may have overlooked this but what design or model is this? What are the dimensions? Did you pour epoxy for the stem?

Thanks
beekeeper

 

[tx river rat]

It is a Brazos Boat Works Challenger , 16 by 28 .
I havent done the inside yet but I will pour some small end pours reinforced with glass and then fit a wooden block from cedar for the carry handles.
Ron

 

[tx river rat]

Yesterday I didnt post but here is what I accomplished , fill coat applied

and glass trimed

She is starting to get a little shine now.

Today I flipped her over removed the forms and applied the filets and end pours.

Ron

 

[tx river rat]

Got the filets cleaned up and glass put on most of the inside.

I am doing the glass in several pieces, they call it the safari lay up , you double lap the glass in the area of the cockpit that gets the most strain and it acts like another rib in the boat.
I also have the bulkheads stripped ready to plane tomorrow.
Ron