New Boat Build Project - (Totally Rebuilding An Older Boat)

[jamesmusslewhite]

We apply the plastic electric tape along the waterline around the bottom of the boat before we start painting the waterline with three coats of 'blue' pigment epoxy enamel paint.

 

 

Then when the tapping is complete we totally remove the nylon guide cord and then start applying the first of three coats of blue to the waterline of the hull and the keel side of the hull board.

 

 

 

 

 

we will be applying three coats of the blue to the waterline so the plastic electric tape still stays on.

[jamesmusslewhite]

We add the second and third coats of blue.

 

 

 

 

And as I mentioned earlier once the 3 coats  of the blue epoxy enamel paint has been applied to the water line, it is time to remove the plastic tape before the epoxy paint has had time to set and dry. If not you will have to use a razor blade and carefully cut long the edge of the plastic tape with is a waste of time as well as being a real pain in the keister.

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[jamesmusslewhite]

The removing of the plastic electric tape is easy at this point.

 

 

 

 

 

and there you have it, a simple way to have a nice straight even waterline with a crisp clean edge along its whole length completely around the boat. Now we just let it set for a couple of days before we flip the boat over so we can properly paint the blue base color to the deck boards and paint the name 'Arthur 1' on the forward port and starboard sides of the boat. We still have to paint one more coat of clear epoxy over all the interior and exterior surfaces of the boat to act as a protective layer for the base color (orange, blue and white) paints.

[jamesmusslewhite]

To give one some perspective of paint requirements needed for this boat project. 1 gallon of the epoxy enamel paint can sufficiently cover all the keel, hull sides and the  deck top surfaces for this (33 foot 9 inch) boat with 3 hand-brushed coats or layers. The hull when finished will have 3 layers clear epoxy (as wood sealant), 3 layers yellow epoxy enamel (as primer coat), 3 layers of 'orange' pigment epoxy enamel (as the boat's base color), 3 layers of 'blue' pigment epoxy enamel (as base coat for the waterline and all deck tops) and finally 3 layers of clear epoxy (as a top protective coat). This means the keel and deck top of the outer hull will have 18 layers of epoxy when finished, and the orange outer hull sides will have 15 layers of hand painted epoxy. So make sure to buy good quality brushes and plenty of paint thinner. The thickness of these epoxy layers will sufficiently protect the boat from water, humidity, bore worms and wear and tear of normal usage.  Plus these epoxy layers help strengthen the wooden hull against scrapes encountered in the rocky and coral filled shallow waters found around the small islands here in the Surigao, Dinagat and Siargao area.

 

The cost of the clear epoxy paint and color pigment epoxy enamel paints used for both the interior and the exterior of the boat is approximately 10,000php since the begining of the project.

Edited November 8, 2015 by jamesmusslewhite

[Jake]

Hey Gunny,

 

Your dedication to your new baby is quite apparently.  Rain or shine, you continue the project, just like a good Marine would.  I wonder how much weight was added onto the boat with the layers of paint and epoxy?  How's the ocean off your beach front?  Hopefully it's relatively flat for your maiden voyage.  

 

Thank you once again James!

[jamesmusslewhite]

Hey Gunny,

 

Your dedication to your new baby is quite apparently.  Rain or shine, you continue the project, just like a good Marine would.  I wonder how much weight was added onto the boat with the layers of paint and epoxy?  How's the ocean off your beach front?  Hopefully it's relatively flat for your maiden voyage.  

 

Thank you once again James!

 

Like we are taught, there is always time to make excuses once the task is done. Considering the weight of the cans as well as the smaller cans of hardener probably around 100 lbs or less.

 

I will include a link to a short Facebook video which shows the view of the beach in Tabirayan, Dinagat Island. This video was taken meters away from where our beach lot is located. I have a couple of photos of a white boat on this thread which were taken on our small lot. It is on this lot where I will be building the small lobsfer hatchery facility I have been designing. The pacific ocean is North/Northeast of our farm and about a 30 minute walk, our beach lot in Tagbirayan is less than an hour walk from our farm. We will move the boat to our beach lot in Tagbirayan for overnights or to the town of Cagdiano for short stops and loading and unloading gear to be taken to or from the farm. Both Tagbirayan and Cagdiano face directly North into the Pacific Ocean which is were we will be using the boat to go fishing in the deep blue.

https://www.facebook.com/james.musslewhite/videos/vb.1228755709/10200870970476402/?type=3&theater

 

 

To the West of our farm is the town of Cabunga-an which is only a 30 minute walk from the farm. Cabunga-an faces the Straights which is were our stationary fish trap and lobster pens are all located further South of the town. Here is where the boat will mainly be located most of the time so we can use it to do our businesses. We can use a a water inlet a few minutes South of Cabunga-an where we can move the boat from the waters of the Straights up through the river inlet and out into the Pacific Ocean where the boat can be taken to our beach lot in Tagbirayan, that little trip only takes a couple of hours so it is convient to move the boat back and forth as needed. Another advantage to being moored in Cabunga-an is that it is also only a 45 minute boat ride from there to Surigao City which makes it very convient for making supply runs back and forth from the farm and the city.

 

I have a local friend who runs a construction company in Surigao City who owns a riverfront lot in Sabong 3 just outside of Surigao City close to main road running between Surigao City and Lapata Peir. Here we can safely moor the boat when we come to the city and it is also extreamly convient when offloading and loading goods and supplies. The river lot is a stone throw from the main road which allows easy access to reliable tribike services. In fact this riverfront lot is where the photos were taken showing the old boat sitting on the back of the dumptruck. My friend let us use his truck and construction crew to transport the boat to his lot, where it was off-loaded and put into the water to be towed to Cabunga-an. It was in Cabunga-an where we tore the old blue calimari boat down to the keel board which we used to build the new boat. I am luck as I am located in a excellnt location which has the topography and water access to be able to do what I need to accomplish. Everything.I need is within an hour from the farm which also means it will be easy to watch over all the business intrests while still being able to have fun and quality leasure time. 

[jamesmusslewhite]

Well the base paints are drying and all that is left is a little woodworking to finish the lockable storage compartments which will then be painted with a base color. Then there will be one more coat of clear epoxy applied on all the painted surfaces of the boat on both the inside and outside of the boat. So we are getting close to finishing with this little project. So now it is time to start the prep of the bamboo lengths that will be used for the outriggers and buoyant water wings which will be painted with the same epoxy enamel blue paint as is used for the waterline and the top decking. We bent and shaped the 5 pieces of bamboo which will be used in pairs to make the needed 3 outriggers which will used to secure the 4 bamboo lengths we are using for the buoyant water wings.

 

 

The four pieces of bamboo that will be used for the buoyant water wings will be fitted with a piece of carved wood that is inserted in one end of the bamboo pieces with rounded like the tip of a bullet. This is so the bamboo buoyant water wings can cut through the water.

 

 

once the epoxy is dried and the bamboo lightly sanded we will start painting the first coat of 'blue' pigment epoxy enamel paint.

The bamboo pieces are all sanded and prepped and so on goes the blue paint.

 

 

 

 

 

soon the boat will be ready to drop in the water and these pieces of bamboo will be bound together and tied to the boat using #120 nylon.

[jamesmusslewhite]

I am happy with the way the waterline came out and it is time to apply the final base color of blue on the deck boards.

 

So on goes the blue.

 

 

Well as you can see I chose to add a cutwater board on the foredeck as well as the middle of the forward bow. Some have told me that they would not be necessary but frankly I still see benefit to adding them. They will help minimize some of the back splash in rough water but the mid bow cutwater boards will help the bow raise in a head-on with a wave rather than being drawn down and gives a little protection to the bow when coming in to tie to a pier or dock. Plus I think it looks cool.

 

 

 

 

We are almost ready for that final coat of clear epoxy to protect all the color base paints and dropping this lady in the water.

Edited November 11, 2015 by jamesmusslewhite

[Jake]

We can use a water inlet a few minutes South of Cabunga-an where we can move the boat from the waters of the Straights up through the river inlet and out into the Pacific Ocean where the boat can be taken to our beach lot in Tagbirayan, that little trip only takes a couple of hours so

 

Hey Gunny,

 

Great photos of your new baby!  I wonder how fast can you let her rip?  Can you install a tripod for your 50 cal....he, he.

 

Anyway, I'm a little confused about the geography of your paradise called Dinagat Island.  I tried Google Earth and it doesn't show Tagbirayan (your beach property).  I assume it's south of Cagdianao port city facing the Pacific Ocean?  I did view your FaceBook and I'm ready to join you Gunny!  I'm freezing cold here in southern CA (about 52 degrees F / 11 degrees C) and your tropical paradise beckons me. 

 

Your quotation above also describe a location called Cabunga-an (your stationary fish trap and lobster pens) facing the Straits on the western side of Dinagat and a 20 plus mile open water journey to Surigao City.  That takes some balls, if you ask me.  Do you have VHF to contact the PCG?  

 

You also mentioned a river inlet crossing the island at its narrowest point, approx 5 miles wide.  I couldn't see it on Google Earth.  Must be triple layer jungle canopy to obscure the river leading to your beach property on the Pacific side?  

 

You, of all people in this forum are really living the life of a true Filipino mariner.  And what better way to to find a nice soothing sunset to rejuvenate your soul each and every day.  You're the Man!

 

Respectfully -- Jake

 

 

 

 

[jamesmusslewhite]

We can use a water inlet a few minutes South of Cabunga-an where we can move the boat from the waters of the Straights up through the river inlet and out into the Pacific Ocean where the boat can be taken to our beach lot in Tagbirayan, that little trip only takes a couple of hours so

 

Hey Gunny,

 

Great photos of your new baby!  I wonder how fast can you let her rip?  Can you install a tripod for your 50 cal....he, he.

 

Anyway, I'm a little confused about the geography of your paradise called Dinagat Island.  I tried Google Earth and it doesn't show Tagbirayan (your beach property).  I assume it's south of Cagdianao port city facing the Pacific Ocean?  I did view your FaceBook and I'm ready to join you Gunny!  I'm freezing cold here in southern CA (about 52 degrees F / 11 degrees C) and your tropical paradise beckons me. 

 

Your quotation above also describe a location called Cabunga-an (your stationary fish trap and lobster pens) facing the Straits on the western side of Dinagat and a 20 plus mile open water journey to Surigao City.  That takes some balls, if you ask me.  Do you have VHF to contact the PCG?  

 

You also mentioned a river inlet crossing the island at its narrowest point, approx 5 miles wide.  I couldn't see it on Google Earth.  Must be triple layer jungle canopy to obscure the river leading to your beach property on the Pacific side?  

 

You, of all people in this forum are really living the life of a true Filipino mariner.  And what better way to to find a nice soothing sunset to rejuvenate your soul each and every day.  You're the Man!

 

Respectfully -- Jake

 

At first we will only be using an old Briggs & Straton 8.5HP gas engine which will be ok per putting in the shallows but I will be upgrading to a 20HP Diesel sometime next year. We will need the extra power for the deep blue when she is being bitchy and to pull a fish net of any real size. But once the motor is bumped to the 20HP, she will scoot with a little authority and the motor being diesel means she can run all out for a long time. :thumbs-up-smile: . 

 

 

Most maps found on the internet of the Dinagat Island area are inaccurate. I have access to a 1914 US Army Corp of Engineer map which is fairly accurate as to the topography, even so there are details that are not quite right or omitted. 

 

I did a crop of the photo above and added the names of the local towns that I mentioned in my post as well as the location of our farm property, the beach lot, lobster huts, fish traps and the water inlet we will use to get the boat quickly from the waters of the Straights over to the Pacific Ocean side where our beach lot is located; plus I have marked were the little river inlet comes in through the dense mangroves to the spot close to the farm where we will primarily be keeping the boat moored. Everything is either only a short walk or just a short boat ride from where we live, so it will be both easy and convenient to keep a close eye on all the various business interests. I hope this helps resolve any confusion. 

 

 

 

Edited November 12, 2015 by jamesmusslewhite