Strip Built NorthWind

[slow2run]

Nice boat, Ron.

[preacher]

WOW! That is nice!

[DarrellS]

The boat has two fill coats on the fiberglass and is looking pretty good. I will give it a good sanding tonight to get all of the imperfections out and then one more coat of epoxy. Before I give it the final coat of the epoxy though I am going to put the coaming around the cockpit also. I set it out in the sun for the first time today and I have to say I am totally satisfied in it's appearance so far.







Bow:


Stern:

[Dogpaddlin]

Man, that is a SHARP looking boat!

[LastHurrah]

[RealBigReel]

Love the lines.

[TexaRican]

Purrrrdeee!

[Light Keeper's Kid]

Great Looking Build

Mike

[Hirsch]

Look forward to seeing it on the river.

[DarrellS]

ME TOO!

[DarrellS]

I have been working on the boat, but not really a lot to update. I have been putting on the fill coats epoxy (to fill the weave of the fiberglass) and then sanding it back off and repeat to smoothe everything out. I have also been building the coaming around the cockpit which I finished earlier. I might be able to flip it over tonight and put the first coat of graphite impregnated epoxy on the bottom. Anyway here are few pics to update with.

[DarrellS]

Did'nt get the graphite on, ended up having to work on one of our Firetrucks until 11:00 last night.

[Iwannagofishin]

Wow, Wow, Wow.

That is one beautiful boat.

[LastHurrah]

Wow, Wow, Wow.

That is one beautiful boat.

Yes it is....Going to look even better slimed!

[DarrellS]

Well I took a deep breath and took a saw to her today. Both hatches are cut. All I need to do now is install the lip around both of them.

[johne]

Great looking boat!

And I see you have the same caliber of shop help that I do. (sleeping dog supervising)

[DarrellS]

If I could just teach her to fetch a beer from the fridge now and again she would be the perfect supervisor.

[DarrellS]

Graphite impregnated epoxy serves two purposes. The first is it is a visual wear indicator ,when you can see the wood thru it it is time to recoat before you have damage to the fiberglass and the second is once it is scuffed up just a little it is as slick as snot. I went back out to the shop tonight and put the first of two coats on.

[Texmullet]

Very nice.....looking forward to paddling w/you and Ron someday!!

[DarrellS]

You are welcome to paddle with us anytime.

[johne]

Hey, I just finally read this thread from the start and realized that the Northwind is designed to be similar to the Kruger Sea Wind.

I happen to own (and LOVE) a Sea Wind.

If you guys would like to meet up sometime I'd love to see them side by side. (I live in Austin)

I love the Sea Wind dearly, but it's on the heavy side for my tastes. I'm more used to ultralight racing boats. I've thought about making a lighter version along the same lines from composite materials. Maybe a strip built Northwind using foam core and carbon would be sweet. I think I could make it about 35 pounds or so.

Anyway, your boat looks awesome! And if you'd like to check out my Sea Wind, let me know.

Cheers,
John

[DarrellS]

I would LOVE to check out a SeaWind. We will have to get together sometime.

[DarrellS]

Got a little more done this evening.

Rails for seat are tacked in place.



Cut the spacers for the front and rear hatch. Tomorrow I will cut and install the lip that the hatch covers sit on.

[DarrellS]

hatch lips are installed and the boat is ready for varnish. Just need to give the epoxy time to cure a bit. It won't be long and I will give her the maiden voyage. I am getting pretty excited about paddling this boat.

[DarrellS]

Which one should I use for the hatch straps????? I have red, blue and black bungee cord so I can make which ever one work.



Probably Tuesday I'll give her a light sanding to rough up the epoxy a little and spray the first coat of varnish on.