Nutshell Pram EXCUSE ME Update.

26 Apr 22:

EXCUSE ME has patiently been rolling back and forth while we work on different home projects, adding better shelving to Lewis Boat Works, etc... She rides on the strongback that we built for the Catboat, which sits on top of the Alcort Finishing Dolly. Wheels are awesome. And the strongback has turned into the World's best workbench, there's a nice space on one end for the Pram plans and the other end is a good landing spot for flotsam and jetsam that washes in and out of the shed.

Cautiously circling the daggerboard trunk construction.

Ladder Frame aka Strongback aka Building Jig

20 Jan 22: 

We decided to build the Nutshell Pram, 7' 7" and think we can use the Ladder Frame that we built for the Pascagoula Catboat. A ladder frame is the backbone for the building molds, on which a new boat takes shape. Ladder frames are also called strongbacks or jigs. Our ladder frame was built so that it could rest on our finishing dolly, a roll around cart that we use to hold small boats while we work on them. The ladder frame and dolly were goofing off back in our conservation area, aka back yard, and Skipper used her John Deere mower named WILEY to tow the dolly and ladder frame up to the Carriage House.

Next we went up to our builder's supply house and picked up a 1/2 inch thick 4x8 sheet of exterior grade ply that will be used to make the molds for the Pram. The little trailer HUEY had an easy day, we  also grabbed some clear white pine boards while we there.

In the background are some materials for a fence that will be going up. A contractor is scheduled to do it, we think sometime this year, but if it is not up by the time the house is near completion next door, I'll give Skipper the post hole digger and turn her loose.

We'll document the little Pram build as we go along, and will be writing an article for Small Boats Magazine (SBM). As such there may only be a few peeks as the build progresses for our Usual Visitors , but we promise a full report after the article is published. SBM is a digital publication of WoodenBoat, with articles on Reader Built Boats, Boat Profiles, gear and tips for intrepid mariners. There is a great search  function on the website, with articles dating back to Sep 2014. If there is a boat you are considering buying, building restoring or mucking about in, grab a cup of coffee and take a trip over to SBM on the digital highway. Also, if you have some tips on Nutshell building or sailing to share, please post in the comments.

Cheers

Skipper and Clark

FMI: Small Boats Magazine 

Small Boat TETRIS ZSA ZSA and CHIP

03 Jan 19:

Prepositioned the Alcort Super Sailfish ZSA ZSA out to the Sunfish Shack for Sea Trials, borrowed Sunfish PHOENIX's dolly. Skipper suggested rigging another hoist using Sunfish eyestraps, sheet, halyard block and halyard cleats. ZSA ZSA will find a permanent spot in the collection after Sea Trials.

1965 Alcort Sunfish CHIP moved from the temporary dolly onto the Finishing Dolly.

Log of ZSA ZSA.

Log of CHIP.

Alcort Super Sailfish ZSA ZSA 22 Dec 18 Second Coat Topside Primer

22 Dec 18:

Rolled ZSA ZSA outside on the finishing dolly for some sanding.

Sanded fairing compound with 40 grit then 120 grit on a DeWALT random orbital sander, then lightly sanded the first coat of primer with 120 grit. This photo is before sanding.

Applied second coat of TotalBoat Topside Primer with a Mighty Mini roller.

All tucked in at the Alcort Museum!

Log of ZSA ZSA.

Boat On A Dolly On A Trailer

22 May 18:

Took some pictures for a dolly article for Small Boats Monthly, one concept was using the dolly to carry our boat on the trailer. The boat rides nice in the sling and it was not too difficult to roll the tongue of the trailer up the keel rollers. The axle rests firmly on the bunks. This rig might be an option for those who have multiple small boats, easier than changing bunks around. It is also easier than maneuvering a boat off of the dolly and up onto the bunks, and reversing for the offload.

Here are some photos for pondering.

We had fun trying it out!

The dolly is custom made for our Penobscot 14 by Dynamic Dollies and Racks. We have several for our other boats and they are holding up great in our salt water environment. The tires have tubes and the dollies are light weight! We are e-dealers for Dynamic, if you would like to order a dolly send us a message. We can offer free shipping in the Continental US!

Faire winds
Kent and Audrey

Ralph Lauren Photo Shoot Seaside, Florida

We got a strange phone call about ten days ago asking if we still had our Sunfish Ray that was listed on Craigslist. I let the caller know we had just sold her, but we had another boat that would be ready for sale soon, and asked what she was looking for. The caller, Jennifer, said she actually needed a Sunfish with a sail that had the blue and green panels for a Ralph Lauren photo shoot. I told her as luck would have it, we just picked up a new sail that day that would work, plus we had other colors as well. I sent her some pictures and the dates were set to bring out Madison for the shoot.

5 Feb I got Madison ready to roll Tuesday night.

From Sunfish Sailboat

And we hit the road early Wednesday morning.

From Sunfish Sailboat

Found the base camp and got the trailer parked. This was a big deal because Seaside had to approve it for the shoot. Seaside Florida is where The Truman Show was filmed.

From Sunfish Sailboat

I brought a Seitech dolly because I had reconned the area and knew we would need it. The dolly is cool for several reasons, but in this case because it comes apart easily. I threw in the rudder and daggerboard and my other Sunfish road trip logistical gear. The stow and go seats in the Grand Caravan make it easy to put this gear in and still have seats for four. And the trailer pulled great, I had to look back a few times to see if the trailer was still there.

From Sunfish Sailboat

Wandered around Seaside a bit, they have a nice town square and cool houses

From Sunfish Sailboat

From Sunfish Sailboat

The crew moved Madison onto the dolly and there was a short parade down West Ruskin, 30A, through the pavilion and down the beach to the shoot location. Let me throw in here that the crew was awesome and very courteous, fun to watch professionals.

From Sunfish Sailboat

I rigged Madison and took a few pics while the crew was moving down to the beach.

From Sunfish Sailboat

From Sunfish Sailboat

From Sunfish Sailboat

Here is Madison photo bombing the shoot.

From Sunfish Sailboat

I'll have a few pics of Madison with the models once they are released, but til then, here is Madison resting after her hard day at the beach.

From Sunfish Sailboat

Here is the crew posing for their end of day photo. I'd like to thank them again for an enjoyable day and for sharing their creative spirit.

From Sunfish Sailboat

Madison made some friends, good to have when you have to go back UP the dune!

From Sunfish Sailboat

Many thanks Ralph Lauren and Seaside for a fun day. Next time leave some room on the production schedule for sailboat rides!

Seitech dolly

"SEITECH dollies are the easy-to-use, light-weight, small boat transportation solution. The Sunfish dolly has been designed specifically to fit and support the shape of the hull. SEITECH dollies allow you to spend less time getting your boat to and from the water and more time on the water." (Laser Performance).
That's the good news. The bad news is they are hard to find. I managed to round up one on craigslist for a Sunfish and another that was originally for a john boat. I bought a tow strap and made that into a sling and it works great.

Sailing in January, NO frostbite!

Today was a great day to sail on Wave, a Captain Jack restoration. She has a rudder conversion and inspection port to check inside hull, and a nice rainbow colored sail. 75 degrees F air temp and 65 water. I tried to hike out but didn't get very far.

From Sunfish Sailboat

Sun came out for a bit, wind was 6-8 with puffs.

From Sunfish Sailboat

A Seitech dolly makes life easier!

From Sunfish Sailboat