On a shoestring in a shoebox.

[Nesting Ray.]

Hi all.
Just knocked up a new shoebox on a shoestring after being told by er indoors that if l am not going to finish the BL***y thing to get in the back yard where it belongs. The new boat shed measures 5ft wide x 6ft high and 2ft 3" deep, not bad for a10ft dinghy. Made from 2 recycled packing crates gratis, just cost paint hinges and locks. Really must get around to giving the boat a lick of paint one day. Shame really, l have missed all this great boating weather.

[Nesting Ray.]

Hello again.
Last month whilst on holiday in Norfolk l bought another shoebox, for a shoestring. I won an auction on eBay and got it for £162. Not that l needed another boat, especially as l am so spatially challenged. But it came with mast and sail and all associated rigging. Also included were a pair of 2mtr oars with collars. I have now sold out he boat on to my nephew for £50. But now have the bits l needed, cheap l am sure you will agree. The sail is a 36sq ft standing lug, which is the same area as Nestaway use on their 9ft clinker dinghy. As l am terrified of loosing this text by trying to post pictures as well, l have posted the photos in the he next bit.

[Nesting Ray.]

It's me again.



This is the boat l won on eBay, it's 7'-6" in length. Easy to car top.



Sail and mast set on my boat,

[Nesting Ray.]

Finally got around to painting the boat, l bit the bullet and splashed out on a 5ltr tub of Jotun 2 pack.









To get a the blue colour for the stripe l added some artists acrylic paint which comes in a tube from the Works book shops and costs just £2*99.

[Timmo]

A thing of beauty!

How do you get that quality of finish? Spray? Brush and tipping off? Did you thin the paint? I've never cracked fnishing, all my boats look very agricultural so would love to know.

Tim

On 23 Nov 2014, at 10:50, Nesting Ray. [via UK HBBR Forum] <[hidden email]> wrote:

Finally got around to painting the boat, l bit the bullet and splashed out on a 5ltr tub of Jotun 2 pack.
To get a the blue colour for the stripe l added some artists acrylic paint which comes in a tube from the Works book shops and costs just £2*99.

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[Alan]

Looks lovely Ray. I hope to see it in the Amateur Boat Building Awards at Beale.

[Nesting Ray.]

Agricultural you say Tim, you mean like a ploughed field? Well mine will not stand up to too close scrutiny. The brush marks don't really show up on my photos and there are bits where it looks like the tractor got stuck, that's why l use a cheap low definition camera. I found that by using a cheap wilko 2" brush and really loading the it with paint and doing only say 12" at a time and going from keel to chine edge applying paint, then a dry sponge roller to spread it out and finally tipping off l got a reasonable finish. The real problem occurred when 2 weeks after  painting l decided to finish off with a blue line, when l came to mix the hardener with paint the lid of the hardener had not been sealed and air had hardened the hardener into blancmange consistency. But l went ahead with the job and spoiled the finishing touch.

[Timmo]

I mean exactly like a ploughed field! Last attempt took days wet and dry sanding, then polishing, to retrieve any sort of finish. Don't knock what you've achieved, you arrived at the finish I aspire to.

On 23 Nov 2014, at 18:32, Nesting Ray. [via UK HBBR Forum] <[hidden email]> wrote:

Agricultural you say Tim, you mean like a ploughed field? Well mine will not stand up to too close scrutiny. The brush marks don't really show up on my photos and there are bits where it looks like the tractor got stuck, that's why l use a cheap low definition camera. I found that by using a cheap wilko 2" brush and really loading the it with paint and doing only say 12" at a time and going from keel to chine edge applying paint, then a dry sponge roller to spread it out and finally tipping off l got a reasonable finish. The real problem occurred when 2 weeks after  painting l decided to finish off with a blue line, when l came to mix the hardener with paint the lid of the hardener had not been sealed and air had hardened the hardener into blancmange consistency. But l went ahead with the job and spoiled the finishing touch.

---

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[Paul H (admin)]

Nesting Ray. wrote

I found that by using a cheap wilko 2" brush and really loading the it with paint and doing only say 12" at a time and going from keel to chine edge applying paint, then a dry sponge roller to spread it out and finally tipping off l got a reasonable finish.

That's an interesting approach. I used mini gloss rollers to apply Jotun paint in several thin layers. Didn't do much laying off with a brush though.

When she has hit a few banks, dragged over gravel and moored against docks built for much taller boats you won't worry about the finish at all.

Using Jotun is a great way to protect hundreds of hours of work. MilliBee was painted with Jotun HB Penguard primer and Topcoat and 8 years later the paint is in very good condition.  Except for the outwhales were I forgot to use primer.

-Paul

[Nesting Ray.]

Big day tomorrow Sunday, going to launch the boat (throw it in the cut) will post a picture to prove it floats, if it don't then you will not be hearing from me for a very long time. It's our ruby wedding anniversary hence the name, launch in the morning, pub grub and ale in the afternoon. Sounds good to me.

[Nesting Ray.]

In she goes.



Yes she floats.



Maiden voyage.

Phase 1 complete. Dagger board and rudder to make next.

[Alan]

Brilliant! That must feel good.

[Nesting Ray.]

Yes nice feeling of achievement, very satisfying, its worth keeping at it. Your turn soon Alan.

[AdrianG]

Well done, Ray - a fantastic result - I hope you have many pleasant adventures in her - let us know how she sails, too. And Happy Anniversary.

Kind regards
Adrian

[Chris Waite]

Well Ray, I'll be blowed!

Archimedes was right all along; congratulations from me too.

Of course you won't quite have realized it yet, but your mind has already spotted one or two smidginal problems with what is actually a perfectly lovely little boat.  And in the back of your brain a very small voice is starting to tell you about the next one....

You've stepped through the HBB door

And there's no way back

Chris

[Nesting Ray.]

Thanks for the praise and well wishes guys, and yes there are things l would probably have done differently Chris but l will have to wear this one out first before planning another. Also l would need a larger back yard, l think made use of every available millimetre. Hope to get it in sail for next summer, then l can start teaching myself how to sail. Now that should be fun, ouch my knees, ouch my back, ouch my shoulder, ouch my ..................

[The Q]

You could always make it bigger by making an insert to fit in between the Bow and Stern sections!

Starboard boats have right of way over port boats (most of the time)!

[Nesting Ray.]

Now that's got me thinking Q. Maybe a cabin section, with walkthrough, brewing up facilities, bed, windows with nice gingham curtains, a funnel or two on top. I will ask for more ply and epoxy for Xmas.

[Paul H (admin)]

Well done on using every millimetre. With MilliBee I had about a 35 millimetre gap between neighbour's and my house when bringing her from back garden to front - just enough space to slide one hand in the gap!
Don't ever mention the 3 fence panels I removed when Ken was out shopping, replaced before he returned. Ta da!

-Paul

[Nesting Ray.]

Getting there slowly, rudder made and painted and ready to go, dagger board next, then ready to sail.





Tiller shaped from 2" x 2" red deal, downhaul from 4mm bungie cord, painted in Dulux gloss.