The Swamper- new design
- Thread starter jdupre'
- Start date
Do you put it in the building diagonally, with one end raised to the roof and the other on the floor or do you have to do both to close the door? :mrgreen:
Diagonally does it. Have to open the door to walk around it. Makes for interesting glassing. :roll:
We've had an exceptionally cold, wet winter. Normally I would have had a lot of warmish days to finish her out there under the carport. Global warming--HA!
We've had an exceptionally cold, wet winter. Normally I would have had a lot of warmish days to finish her out there under the carport. Global warming--HA!
Beautiful day here so I fitted the decks on the Swamper. Getting fired up again. 
I put about 3/4" of swoop in the front deck line and about 1/2" in the rear deck line. It doesn't show well in the photos, but it is just enough to give it a little character.
Joey
I put about 3/4" of swoop in the front deck line and about 1/2" in the rear deck line. It doesn't show well in the photos, but it is just enough to give it a little character.
Joey
The Swamper looks a mile long and going about 30 mph when it is sitting still. Looking forward to seeing it on the water and your report on it.
Chuck.
Chuck.
They're keeping the water level low because they are cleaning the debris out of the bayou in preparation for dredging. They plan on dredging the first six miles now because that is where most of the sediment drops out as it's pumped from the river. The plan is to dredge the whole 100 mile length and take out the weir in Thibodaux. I hope they do that. The old timers tell of catching shrimp and crabs this far up before the weir went in.
Almost short-sleeve weather today. Warmed up the shop and did the fillets on the underside of the deck panels. I tried something different to speed this build along. After the fillets dried to the bubble gum stage, I layed out the off cuts over the bare wood panels and poured the epoxy in a line down the center. I used the roller to press the glass into the still pliable fillet and then wet out the panels. It actually was easier than I though it would be. I mostly let the roller do the work and slowed the strokes down to allow the epoxy to seep into the glass. The light colored areas are glare- the glass is well saturated.
I'm letting the shop cool down slowly to minimize any outgassing of the wood. I figure I saved myself a week or more of waiting for the fillets to dry, sanding them, putting on a saturation coat, letting it dry and THEN applying the glass. We'll see.
Joey
I'm letting the shop cool down slowly to minimize any outgassing of the wood. I figure I saved myself a week or more of waiting for the fillets to dry, sanding them, putting on a saturation coat, letting it dry and THEN applying the glass. We'll see.
Joey
Cajun enguneering! Good thinking.
Actually, Joey, if the wood is cooling, it will suck stuff in. Out gassing is from expansion, associated with heating.
Actually, Joey, if the wood is cooling, it will suck stuff in. Out gassing is from expansion, associated with heating.
That's why I was letting the shop cool down slowly- little or no outgassing. Worked great. No excess bubbles and everything looks like it's stuck down tight.
Joey.......
This cold weather have you at a stand still on the Swamper ? Looking forward to seeing it completed and the test paddling report in the near future.
Chuck.
This cold weather have you at a stand still on the Swamper ? Looking forward to seeing it completed and the test paddling report in the near future.
Chuck.
Slow going with the 30+ nighttime temps. Might be able to start attaching the decks this weekend.
Joey
Joey
Good weather . There's a big yellow ball in the sky and everything is so BRIGHT! :shock: I set up the kayak under the carport and glued down the decks. Everything fit pretty well. I found a new use for all those little pieces of rope that are not good enough to use but too good to throw away. Worked pretty good. You snug them down tight about 2" below where they need to be. When you push them in place they wedge pretty tight and make an excellent clamp. Friction holds them in place and they don't move.
. There's a big yellow ball in the sky and everything is so BRIGHT! :shock: I set up the kayak under the carport and glued down the decks. Everything fit pretty well. I found a new use for all those little pieces of rope that are not good enough to use but too good to throw away. Worked pretty good. You snug them down tight about 2" below where they need to be. When you push them in place they wedge pretty tight and make an excellent clamp. Friction holds them in place and they don't move.
Cowling is done and then one last fill coat on the decks to apply. It's gotten a little too cool for epoxy. :roll:
She's DONE! Finally got her in the water. Very easy to get up to speed and very easy to keep there. She turns with sweep strokes pretty well but likes to go straight better. The cockpit is a cinch to get into and the front deck is just long enough to prevent paddle drips.
And my favorite shot.
I'll be putting some miles on her this weekend, for sure.
Almost forgot.
Specs: length 15'9" ----- bottom width 22" -------- max width 26.5" -------- cockpit 18.5" x 38" ---- weight 44 lbs
Joey
And my favorite shot.
I'll be putting some miles on her this weekend, for sure.
Almost forgot.
Specs: length 15'9" ----- bottom width 22" -------- max width 26.5" -------- cockpit 18.5" x 38" ---- weight 44 lbs
Joey
Very nice job. And I like the accent piece in the bow. Can't wait to here how she feel after your trip.