Re: Roman´s OB15 (First Time Builder)
Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2022 4:23 am
It has been a long time, since my last update. Autumn was cold, so I could not do a lot before winter. But spring began early. But I used the winter to think about the interior and how to place it. Since I want to use the boat in the Adriatic Sea and the Danube, I need a strong engine (which I already got). But we also have beautiful lakes in the alps. But if you are no millionaire, you cannot afford the license for a motorboat (e.g. 200k for the Woerthersee). But you need no licence, if you have an electrical motor under 4 Kilowatt (6hp). So I decided to make the boat more versatile. So I used the rest of the wood for the floor and put several screw threats in, then I glued it to the floor.
After that, the boat was ready for the first layer of filler and primer. Here you can also see the many possible positions of the screws.
My father-in-law gave me another idea. I could use the space on the side of the front deck as compartments. So I can put cushions on them which will make them nicer to lean on. I am bit struggling with the curve, so it is still kind of in the making. I think, I can at least make it look smoother with some filler. I also put hinges on the hedges. But my wife doesn´t like them, so I am thinking to use velcro strips (hook-and-loop) instead. I have also use them in my van and they are strong as hell...
With the screws in place, I also had to rebuild the bench and make it a bit wider. I wanted to use larch wood for the construction, but wood-prices went crazy, so I ended up with spruce, but I bought impregnated spruce wood, which is water-resistant and then put the plywood on the wooden construction. I know, it adds to the weight of the boat, but it is also very stable. And thanks to my versatile construction, I can change the layout later.
I try to build a kind of chair on my own. But what´s bothering me, is that I am standing quite in the back of the boat. I don´t know yet, if the weight of the motor plus my ~190 pounds will bring the boat in a not so good balance. But I can still can move everything further to the front. But this will be done, when the boat is finished and I can test it.
I also already bought the clamps and handrails and the anchor.
The next big step is buying the trailer and getting the boat out of the stable and onto the trailer. After that, the boat gets its coating and then I can boot a small electric-motor on it and try it on one of the alpine lakes. At least, that´s the plan for the summer. Fuel-motor, stearing, lights, electric and stuff will be the job for the autumn and winter, so that I can get the certificate (which is needed for handbuild boats) in spring.
I keep you posted.
After that, the boat was ready for the first layer of filler and primer. Here you can also see the many possible positions of the screws.
My father-in-law gave me another idea. I could use the space on the side of the front deck as compartments. So I can put cushions on them which will make them nicer to lean on. I am bit struggling with the curve, so it is still kind of in the making. I think, I can at least make it look smoother with some filler. I also put hinges on the hedges. But my wife doesn´t like them, so I am thinking to use velcro strips (hook-and-loop) instead. I have also use them in my van and they are strong as hell...
With the screws in place, I also had to rebuild the bench and make it a bit wider. I wanted to use larch wood for the construction, but wood-prices went crazy, so I ended up with spruce, but I bought impregnated spruce wood, which is water-resistant and then put the plywood on the wooden construction. I know, it adds to the weight of the boat, but it is also very stable. And thanks to my versatile construction, I can change the layout later.
I try to build a kind of chair on my own. But what´s bothering me, is that I am standing quite in the back of the boat. I don´t know yet, if the weight of the motor plus my ~190 pounds will bring the boat in a not so good balance. But I can still can move everything further to the front. But this will be done, when the boat is finished and I can test it.
I also already bought the clamps and handrails and the anchor.
The next big step is buying the trailer and getting the boat out of the stable and onto the trailer. After that, the boat gets its coating and then I can boot a small electric-motor on it and try it on one of the alpine lakes. At least, that´s the plan for the summer. Fuel-motor, stearing, lights, electric and stuff will be the job for the autumn and winter, so that I can get the certificate (which is needed for handbuild boats) in spring.
I keep you posted.