Aber Build

[David Bewick]

Well, I think I can finally claim that, after years (literally) of prevarication about which boat to build next, I have made up my mind and that my Aber build has officially started.  I have taken what feels like an absolute age to get the building frame and the moulds set up.  I was stunned recently to realise that, after about 50 hours work, I still had not cut a single piece of wood that would actually form part of the finished boat.  I also can't believe just how many bits of 12mm ply I now have in store that seem far too good to throw away but, in reality, will probably be completely useless!

Anyway, I feel I have finally passed a major milestone now that the stem, keel and transom are all glued up into a single piece and I can't wait to get started on the planking.

Best regards,

David.

 

[james gilchrist]

Congratulations David.  If it is any consolation it took me over ten years froms plans purchase to start cutting wood and another two years to have the thing the right way up.  But it is not the finishing but the pride in finishing that is important.

James

On Thu, 04 Aug 2011 16:22 BST David Bewick [via UK HBBR Forum] wrote:

>
>
>Well, I think I can finally claim that, after years (literally) of
>prevarication about which boat to build next, I have made up my mind and
>that my Aber build has officially started.  I have taken what feels like an
>absolute age to get the building frame and the moulds set up.  I was stunned
>recently to realise that, after about 50 hours work, I still had not cut a
>single piece of wood that would actually form part of the finished boat.  I
>also can't believe just how many bits of 12mm ply I now have in store that
>seem far too good to throw away but, in reality, will probably be completely
>useless!
>
>Anyway, I feel I have finally passed a major milestone now that the stem,
>keel and transom are all glued up into a single piece and I can't wait to
>get started on the planking.
>
>Best regards,
>
>David.
>
>  http://uk-hbbr-forum.967333.n3.nabble.com/file/n3225707/DSCN1236.jpg 
>
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[Port-Na-Storm]

Mmmmm, The Aber is definitely very high on my top ten list of boats to build so I'll be watching with interest. It may be beyond my patience threshold though.
But just in case, don't get rid of those moulds before getting in touch!

Graham

[Anders]

That sounds good.

Please keep posting your build here on the forum.

The Aber is a very pretty thing. And I wish you all the luck in world. Take your time with the planking. It actually goes faster than you think.

Vivier writes on his website that you need polyester full size patterns in order to build most of his boats. What does it include. Molds and frames only or does include the shape of the planks as well.

[David Bewick]

Anders,

Yes, some of Francois' designs can only be built with the full sized patterns and I believe these do include the plank shapes.  I very much wanted to do a "traditional" build, though, and to do the lofting and determine the plank shapes by spiling.  Aber was the design that best met my needs and that could be built this way.  I'll keep you posted with my progress.

David.

[David Bewick]

I thought it was about time for an update on my build.  A long camper-van trip to the Western Isles in August/September (highly recommended, but that's another story) has limited progress a little but I have now reached the point that I have four planks on each side and the aft keel section just about complete.  The keel seemed to really slow things up for a while but, it has to be done early on in the build, otherwise you can't reach it to shape it properly.  Overall, everything seems to have gone pretty well, so far, and I haven't done anything worse than putting a nail where the plank rebate needs to go (doh!).  There's still time, though!  I am hoping to get the planking finished and the boat turned over before the worst of the winter weather sets in.  The steam-bent oak frames should then provide me with some amusement (and warmth) for a while and I hope to do all the odds and ends like the rudder,the centre board and the spars over the winter.

Best regards,

David.

[Anders]

It looks very good David. Is it Sapelli plywood?

I know that Vivier always make the skeg like that.. But why? cant you just cut a skeg out of 1 plank?

[David Bewick]

Anders,

The ply is Robbins Elite that is Okume.  It is a delight to use with five even plys and good strength - entirely different stuff to the WBP from the local builders' merchant that I have been using for patterns.

The skeg tapers from 60 mm at its widest at the hull down to 30 mm so it is quite a big lump of timber for a modest sized boat.  It is difficult to see how else it could be made up.

Best regards,

David.

[Anders]

60mm....... Thats A LOT. Now I understand why Viviers boats are heavyer than most others.... But why?

[nicotentin]

Hello,

I am Nicolas Vivier, son of designer François and manager of Icarai that builds boats and sells kits for F. Vivier's boats.

You're right there are other ways to build the skeg. We ourselves use to glue to 30 mm parts premachined to the right profile. My father thinks that the method used by David is easier for homebuilders.

Reguard to weight my feeling is that it is not in itself a pro or a con : it depends what you want to do with the boat. Aber can very easily be managed with a trailer, it rows easily and sails well. Apart for rowing on flat water I don't think it would be better if lighter.

Anyway, light weight is worth in some cases, for instance if one wants to carry its boat up the beach.
We have some recent designs (Morbic, Doris 5m, Creizic...) that are lighter but not at the extrem.

Kind regards

Nicolas

[David Bewick]

I am not too worried about the weight of the boat.  In fact one of the things that appeals to me about Francois' boats is that they do look a bit more "solid" than the typical stich and glue or clinker ply offering, although Aber is by no means one of his heavier ones.  

I planed down the last strip of the keel today - the last one before the false keel goes on.  What I thought was going to be a quick trim with a block plane turned out to be a 1 hour work-out to get the whole thing fair - I had quite a dab on by the time I had finished!

Best regards,

David.

[Anders]

I wasnt arguing that heavyer was bad. When you move a boat on land, it can be nice that its as light as possible. On the water its another story. It gives you a more comfortable feel of the boat, But I still feel that the idea of a rowing boat being better when heavyer is a wrong idea.
When sailing, weight can be nice and there´s something about having 5 tons under your feet when it starts blowing and the sea turns violent.

I have a feel that the fact that Viviers boats are heavyer than many others has more to do with style and because his designs are closer related to trad. boats planked in solid wood. If you build your Aber like a lightweight Oughtred design, it would float to high and might feel tippy when on the water. I have a lot of respect of Viviers designs and I´m sure they´ll work the best when built as close as possible to his design. If I one day get the posibility to build something like the Beg-meil, I´m sure that I´ll enjoy every single moment of both the building process and later on the water. But it´ll have to be i another country.

[David Bewick]

I have not posted a proper progress report on my Aber build for a while.  I think "steady progress" is probably the best I can claim.  The inside if pretty much done now and I have just turned the boat over to paint the outside of the hull.  Meanwhile, I am working up the oars and spars but still thinking it is all do-able for the Thames raid and Beale Park.  I have got the sails now (North Sea Sails) and I am hopefully picking up the new trailer tomorrow.

I used Hempel Multicoat for the first time on the inside of the hull.  it went on very easily (self priming) and gave me a nice semi-gloss finish.  if it proves to be robust, it will have been a good choice.

Now, I must get back to the barn and finish off those oars!

Best regards,

David.

[tony waller]

 

Congratulations. It’s looking very good.Tony

[Port-Na-Storm]

She's looking very good David.

I think any down-wind lock keepers will know we're coming by the smell of wet paint.

Graham

[Paul H (admin)]

Port-Na-Storm wrote

I think any down-wind lock keepers will know we're coming by the smell of wet paint.

...or John's outboard at 7000 rpm and the mother of all bow waves - "I didn't realise I was going that fast officer"

[Ratcatcherjohn]

7000 revs.                                    I wish .....................................................................................................that I could get it to run so slowly !!
 

---

Date: Thu, 17 May 2012 14:22:47 -0700
From: [hidden email]
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: Aber Build

Port-Na-Storm wrote

I think any down-wind lock keepers will know we're coming by the smell of wet paint.

...or John's outboard at 7000 rpm and the mother of all bow waves - "I didn't realise I was going that fast officer"

---

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NAML

[David Bewick]

Port-Na-Storm wrote

She's looking very good David.

I think any down-wind lock keepers will know we're coming by the smell of wet paint.

Graham

It'll be fine as long as no-one lights a match!

[Anders]

I think you´re progressing very well and pretty fast. An Aber is not a simple build. Lots of little things and dings to be made. Floorboars etc.
I saw the pictures in Watercraft as well and she´s looking lovely. A beautifull classical clinker dinghy. I´m looking forward to seing her with the sloop rig.

[David Bewick]

Two steps forward, one step backwards!  I have been getting on well with the painting and I fitted the keel band today.  I also offered up the trolley from my new custo-made combi onto the boat and, to cut a long story short, it does not fit!  The man who made it is on holiday in Spain but promised he will sort it when he gets back next Wednesday.  Grrrr!