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Thread: Rowing skiff
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21st October 2010, 12:21 PM #1GOLD MEMBER
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Rowing skiff
This is my open rowing skiff, just completed. This type of boat is often called a 'wherry', particularly in the US where recreational rowing is emerging as a popular pasttime. This one is a self design, which is intended for either single person sliding-seat rowing, single person fixed position rowing or 2 person fixed position rowing.
I think everyone who's done a bit of woodworking should have a think about doing a boat. Making furniture is satisfying, and it sustained my interest for 10 years, but furniture cant talk to you like a boat can. After you have designed a boat, made it, and been out in it a few times its almost as if you've made something living. Its easy too. There is a bit of a learning curve using the resins, but compared to making fine furniture getting a good result with a small boat is easy.
This one cost about $500 to make (I got some bargains in the materials) and took about 3 months of intermittent work. A lot of this is drying time, for the various coats of resin and finish - the actual woodwork didnt take long. I used the stitch-and-glue method of construction, which has its critics, but I felt that my design would likely have its shortcomings and stitch-and-glue would allow me the most flexibility to modify things as I went.
cheers
Arron
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21st October 2010, 12:35 PM #2
nice
Mike
"Working to a rigidly defined method of doubt and uncertainty"
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21st October 2010, 02:09 PM #3
Thanks for the pic Aaron. Looks fast. I agree that all woodworkers should have a think about making a boat.
Bill P
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21st October 2010, 02:45 PM #4
That is beatiful Aaron. I live by a river so it makes sense to build one for myself. Where do I start? Buy a book? DVD? Find a website?? Too many quesions too little time.
Visit my website at www.myFineWoodWork.com
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21st October 2010, 03:35 PM #5Skwair2rownd
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Just beautiful Aaron!!!!
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21st October 2010, 09:58 PM #6Senior Member
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Beautiful
Wonderful to look at Aaron, whats the chance of some pics of it being used or just on the water.
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22nd October 2010, 08:10 AM #7GOLD MEMBER
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- May 2003
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- Central Coast, NSW
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this weekend I'll be taking it to a narrow waterway where my wife will be on shore and should be able to get some photos. I have had it in the water three times so far - just short trips in the Parramatta River - each of which led to some changes. I'm pleased to say that on the water its brilliant - just the right combination of stability (to make it relaxing) and responsiveness (to make it interesting). It gets along quickly with the sliding seat bringing the largest muscles of the body into play, and the 9.5 foot oars providing good leverage.
Wongo, my approach was to buy the book:
Stitch-and-Glue Boatbuilding
How to build kayaks and other small boats
by Chris Kulczycki.
I got that from Borders, and it tells you most of what you need to know. I peppered the boatbuilding forums on this site with lots of questions - really basic level questions to fill in the gaps and get the local perspective. The people there were VERY helpful. With that knowledge and your woodworking skills, you'll have no trouble. The stitch-and-glue technique is a good place to start, though you might like to investigate other techniques after you've got some experience. This is the third boat I've made (you can see the others here Flickr: ArronsBoats' Photostream ). Interestingly, the first boat built (the Oxford shell, rowing shell) was probably the neatest and best built of the three, so there is no reason you cant do the perfect boat first try.
cheers
Arron
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30th October 2010, 07:06 AM #8
Oh yes, easy, piece of cake, no problem at all, think I'll just knock one up next weekend (sorry, just stirring)
Boat looks absolutely beautiful, great jobThe time we enjoy wasting is not wasted time.
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3rd November 2010, 09:37 AM #9
Thanks Arron. I've got the book now. I am sure it will be a good read.
I own a river so it only makes sense if I build a canoe to go with it.Visit my website at www.myFineWoodWork.com
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4th November 2010, 06:40 AM #10
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3rd May 2018, 10:46 PM #11GOLD MEMBER
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Pictures are here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/arronsboats
Cheers
ArronApologies for unnoticed autocomplete errors.