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.

Nutshell Pram EXCUSE ME Attaching Pieces to the Ladder Frame

 06 Feb 22:

Today we cut the ladder frame sides to length and screwed in the cross supports.

Used the 3 inch bevel from the WoodenBoat store to find the stern transom angle...

...and transferred the angle over to the ladder frame stern transom support. You may choose to level the ladder frame fore/aft and side to side at this point, but we are going to level right before we install support legs to the molds and frames, then check level again.

Attached the temporary wooden cleat to the inner transom face. You may want to bevel the transoms before they are installed, we are going to do it after they are attached to the ladder frame. We also cut the cross pieces, measured where they are located on the frame per plans and screwed them into place. Also attached a temporary spall to the miships frame.

Installed the bow transom and planed the first two plank bevels per the pattern lines.

Laid out the centerline between the two transoms and marked the centerline with sharp pencil at each point vs Sharpie. Using a sharp pencil is a trick that Louis Sauzedde taught us, more accurate than snapping a chalk line. FMI: Tips From a Shipwright)

Screwed the forward and aft mold and midhaps frame to the ladder frame cross pieces.

Stern transom is temporarily screwed to the ladder frame supports.

The wooden cleats that we attached to the transoms earlier are used to help align the transoms to the ladder frame crass pieces.

Aft mold attached to the front face of ladder frame cross piece. 

Midships frame spall attached to aft side of ladder frame cross piece.

Forward mold, aka Mold #1, attached to aft side of ladder frame cross piece. 

Bow transom.

The bow transom has a wooden positioning cleat as well, and angled ladder frame cross piece. Bow transom angle taken from the patterns and plans.

Next we'll level the ladder frame and add braces to the molds and frame per the plans. Then check level again before the bottom plank is installed. 

Log of EXCUSE ME.

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 

Pascagoula Diamond Bottom Catboat MARGARET ROSE 24 Jun 20 Ladder Frame Strongback

24 Jun 20:

Cut the rungs for the ladder frame strongback out of pressure treated 1x6 deck boards. We are using pressure treated lumber because these parts will live outside most of the time. The ends were cut from PT 2X6. 3 feet seemed like a good width for the rungs.

Strongback video: https://youtu.be/cZBqaVi5K9k



Log of MARGARET ROSE.

Strongback

21 Jun 20:

Skipper says why not use the Sunfish Finishing Dolly as a base for the strongback for the catboat build? We took a look at it and it will work great. I tacked on the 2x6x16 lumber, need to cut pieces for the ends next. It is very close to level where it sits but what we will do before we add molds and bulkheads is pick a spot on the Wheel Deck and get everything level, shim as needed. Might even add 2x4 "landing gear" that swing down when the strongback is going to be in place for several days like we did with the Penobscot. The strongback will stay outside while we are in the cutting and sanding phases, and we can move it inside the Carriage House as needed, for final fittings and paint.

The top of the 2x6 just clears the swivel bunks, perfect!

Capn Jack's chocks, he made a lot of them.

Log of MARGARET ROSE.

Pascagoula Diamond Bottom Catboat MARGARET ROSE 20 Jun 20 Strongback Lumber

20 Jun 20:

Went up to Lowes to pick up lumber for the strongback. Pandemic pickings were slim, lumber deliveries from Canada have either slowed or stopped. Too bad there's no trees here in the US. Skipper's trailer and deck worked out perfect, just the right heighth to slide lumber directly from the cart.

Log of MARGARET ROSE.