3-15-2008

 

Ongoing Progress

Click on the buttons below to get the updates for those two weeks.

( I'll put the newest information near the top of the page 
so if you want to read the whole story, read from the 
bottom of the page by the dates of the notes.)

Home 9-1-2009 8-1-2009 7-15-2009 7-1-2009 6-15-2009 5-15-2009 5-1-2009 4-15-2009 4-1-2009 3-15-2009 3-1-2009 2-15-2009 2-1-2009 1-1-2009 12-15-2008 12-1-2008 11-15-2008 11-1-2008 10-15-2008 10-1-2008 9-15-2008 9-1-2008 8-15-2008 8-1-2008 7-15-2008 7-1-2008 6-15-2008 6-1-2008 5-15-2008 5-1-2008 4-15-2008 4-1-2008 3-15-2008 3-1-2008 2-15-2008 2-1-2008 1-15-2008 1-1-2008 12-15-2007 12-1-2007 11-15-2007 11-1-2007 10-15-2007 10-1-2007 9-15-2007 9-1-2007 8-15-2007 8-1-2007 7-15-2007 7-1-2007 6-15-2007 6-1-2007 5-15-2007 5-1-2007 4-15-2007 Chevy Engine

Email Bob

 

3-31-2009 One Down, One to Go 5:52 PM
Today's activities included gluing and screwing down one of the two sponson runners. And installing the four lifting eyes. The lifting eyes needed to be installed before the deck is laid down in May. I will need to build and install ALL the steering hardware before the deck is installed also, but that won't be until we roll the boat back over, right side up. I still need to plane the edges to make it look finished.
 
The courage still needs to be mustered to cut the hole in the bottom for the shaft strut. I guess I better install the shaft strut before I roll the boat back over.
 
Scott (you may or may not remember this) the front lifting eyes are now installed outside the cockpit. No more bruising your knees from getting banged by the lifting eyes inside the drivers area.
 
The lifting eyes are 6061 T6 aluminum and per a suggestion on the Vintage Hydroplane site - aluminum plates have been added to the opposite side to support the old wood being lifted up by a crane - this would not the time you want the wood to fail and crash to the ground.
 
Maybe tomorrow I can get the pilot holes drilled for the other sponson runner and maybe by Wednesday, get it glued and screwed down. Then I will make the last of the three sponson runner pieces. That one is going to be a real challenge. Many, many angles and a tight fit is priority #1.
 
When that third piece is installed, the bottom repairs will finally be done. The sealer and clear coat will be put on next.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3-29-2008 Next Step 3:16 PM
Overnight we received another 7" - 8" inches of snow. Pretty, but this is getting VERY tiring. I had to use the snow shovel again to get to the shop. Also I had to snow blow the driveway and remove the City of Hayden's "FREE" snow berm.
 
Today I started working with the 10' piece of 9 mm Okoume for the sponson runners. After laying  down the paper pattern and marking a 1/4" border beyond the pattern. I then nailed around 300 brass nails into the pattern and wood to mark the screw holes that will be drilled after the runner is cut out from the 4' X 10' piece of wood.
 
I'm hoping on Monday to cut first two of three pieces needed for the sponson runners. This is getting exciting (well to me anyway... LOL). Shape them, then make the third pattern piece.
 

 

 

 

3-25-2008  2:24 PM  Airtrap Brace
As of today - I have drilled, countersunk and sanded the corner braces for the airtrap. These airtrap braces have been causing me a great deal of mental stress - they have two 30 degree angles cut the full length of 17'. They are fragile, but provide a great deal of seal between the bottom and airtrap, plus some longitudinal stress relief. I'm glad they are behind me and I am pleased that I bit the bullet and installed them.
 
We have a new bottom section (4'), new rear transom, new right sponson transom, with the correct sponson angles, new full length airtraps.
 
The braces will be glued very shortly (the West System glue arrived today, so we are good to go).
 
You can see the paper patterns for the sponson runners. I'm hoping to get the sponson runners cut out this week - they will be made out of 9 mm okoume.
 
I haven't cut the hole for the shaft yet - too scary for me !!!!!!!!! but at some point I will have to bite that bullet also.
 

 

 

 

3-21-2008  12:50 PM  On Track
It seems the #1 question I regularly get - is, are you still on track or schedule? I always answer "YES"!! But this should prove that I'm on track.
 
The rail road ties are from Montana. Kathy's grandfather gave them to us yrs ago when we bought his 1985 El Camino (it only had 16,000 miles on it when we bought it).
 
I'm using them to add weight to the 2" over lap beveled seams that were drying. Now I will plane the edge down, clean up the glue and get ready for another step - so that I can stay on track!!!!
 
You can see the paper pattern for the one sponson runner. I will do the same thing on the other sponson after I get it planed level.
 
I keep going back and forth about adding the angled Alaska Spruce pieces along the bottom/airtrap edge. I have now decided I will go ahead and put them on (they were originally there, but I thought the boat looked better without), upon further review it makes sense to add more edge sealing and strength for the new airtraps.
 

 

 

 

 

 

3-20-2008  1:30 PM Second Airtrap
I didn't think I had enough West System glue to finish the second airtrap, but by golly gee whiz Wally, I did (the next gallon is on the truck and should be here shortly). The second one is now glued and screwed into place. She is really starting to look like the boat she once was. SOOOOO COOOOOL!!!!!!!! Don, I can't thank you enough for going up there and rescuing her last March.
 
The airtrap material is now 12mm thick from it's original 6mm. I'm hoping the airtraps will now be more then strong enough to attack the Columbia River and the rough waters that can be generated on that body of water. GO SCOTTIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO put the hammer down....... LOL
 
Yesterday I made the first paper pattern for the sponson runner. All the batten screw holes are marked on the paper so that I don't have to guess where the battens are. Also this morning I went out and double checked the screw holes to corresponding ones in the airtrap and non-trip. Sure enough, there were about three sponson runner screws that would of hit screws.. Better to find out now, then later.
 
I will shave the edge on the other airtrap in a couple of days after the glue has all set up, then made the other sponson's paper pattern. Lay then down on the wood to make sure I have enough 4' X 10' 9mm okoume.
 
After the sponson runner are cut, glued and screws, filled with wood filler - the bottom repairs will FINALLY be all done and the sealing of the wood and clear coat is next..... Then roll her back over and start finish work on the top side.... GETTING CLOSER....
 

3-19-2008  2:37 PM  Plates

Years ago, Kathy gave me a personalized Washington license plate for our tow truck (N-22). Good thing I kept it..... you just never know when your going to need those treasures out in the shop.
 
On Josephine (our '55) we have what is called a souvenir plate (1955) issued by Idaho DMV. It looks exactly like the back plate, but with the correct licensed #'s.
 
When the trailer gets here, I'm going to put the Washington N-22 somewhere on the trailer (can't remember if a person can get in trouble for having  non-valid plate on the trailer). In Idaho it wouldn't be any problem - but you know that pesky Washington WSP. They don't have a sense of humor.....  You can see Idaho's trailer license plate is small like a motorcycle plate.
 

the new trailer plate on top, old one on bottom

 

Josephine's back plate

 

Josephine's front plate

3-18-2008  12:57 PM  Engine Progress

Today I brought home the finished engine block. A little later today the crankshaft, pistons, connecting rods, etc will be going out for a race engine balance. I'm betting they will be back this week, as good as this guy is.
 
The cylinder heads essentially done, they only have to have right shims installed for the valve springs. The shims keep the springs at the correct height so that they don't bottom out when compressed open (the valve grind is all done, the cutting and tapping of the rocker studs is done and the valve spring seats have been enlarge for the new bigger springs.
 
I'm still on track to have the engine assembled by April, I just don't know if it's the beginning or end of April.
 
The to do list keeps getting shorter and shorter, the time line seems to stay about the same.... LOL
 
 

 

 

 

3-17-2008  4:50 PM  Wow and 1/2

Today I finished the re-skinning of one airtrap. I ran out of glue for the other side, but it is pre-drilled for when the glue arrives from Rhode Island in a week or so.
 
The first coat of wood filler has been applied and the planing for the airtrap is done. I think it looks GREAT and structurally, I think it is as good as new, I hope better then new. Boat builder's, what do you think???
 
For you people who have been adding replies of encouragement - THANK YOU... that helps a bunch.
 
The only class I received a consistent "A" in was wood shop, boy am I glad I applied myself in that class today.... I have learned so much and I want to thank my many friends who have come to my aid and provided much needed counsel.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bolam's Express - Ongoing Progress

Hit Counter

 
Home 9-1-2009 8-1-2009 7-15-2009 7-1-2009 6-15-2009 5-15-2009 5-1-2009 4-15-2009 4-1-2009 3-15-2009 3-1-2009 2-15-2009 2-1-2009 1-1-2009 12-15-2008 12-1-2008 11-15-2008 11-1-2008 10-15-2008 10-1-2008 9-15-2008 9-1-2008 8-15-2008 8-1-2008 7-15-2008 7-1-2008 6-15-2008 6-1-2008 5-15-2008 5-1-2008 4-15-2008 4-1-2008 3-15-2008 3-1-2008 2-15-2008 2-1-2008 1-15-2008 1-1-2008 12-15-2007 12-1-2007 11-15-2007 11-1-2007 10-15-2007 10-1-2007 9-15-2007 9-1-2007 8-15-2007 8-1-2007 7-15-2007 7-1-2007 6-15-2007 6-1-2007 5-15-2007 5-1-2007 4-15-2007 Chevy Engine