I'm starting a build log to document my test build of the Chesapeake skipjack, Kathryn. This is my second design and I do intend to make it available to others.
Around 1900, there were several thousand skipjacks sailing the Chesapeake, harvesting oysters in season and performing other tasks the rest of the year. They were a particularly American development appearing in the late 19th century. While they do have a graceful shape, they were work boats through and through. They were typically built by local watermen and were of generally simple construction. It has been said that even a 'talented house carpenter' could build a skipjack. There currently are only around 30 skipjacks in existence, some still oystering, a few in museums and collections while others are used for educational and excursion purposes. It seems to be a point of pride that the Chesapeake skipjack fleet is the last American fishing fleet operating under sail. In fact, they are limited by law from using engines under some conditions so most of them carry a push boat to use when becalmed.
There have been a few false starts to this test build. In the first print out I found a sizing issue. Somehow, the bulkheads were not sized to match the keel and deck. I had to go back and resize everything to solve that issue.
The next step was walking down to the local Michael's craft store to see if they stocked chip board of roughly 1mm thickness to use in laminating parts. The sales staff had no idea what I was talking about. They could sell me fancy picture mattboard for an exorbitant price, but not just cheap cardboard. So I walked another mile down the road to the local art supply store. They had what I wanted and knew what I was talking about. I ruefully gazed out their front window at the apartment building I used to live in. My it would be convenient to still live there!
After laminating and cutting the keel pieces I discovered that my lamination was too thick. My double laminated, two millimeter thick keel was actually closer to three millimeters thick. So I reprinted and laminated the keel from 1 sheet of 1mm chipboard sandwiched between 4 sheets of 65# card. Perfect thickness! I then proceeded to break my last sharp Exacto blade. I called it a day, ordered some blades from Widget Supply Company and added a 'finger knife' to the order just to make it interesting.
The blades arrived yesterday so I've spent this morning cutting out the keel, bulkheads and false deck. At first I wasn't too sure whether I'd like the finger knife. I quickly became a fan. It doesn't seem to make cutting any easier. What I discover, though, is that it is a real advantage for me since I almost always cut looking through a magnifier stand which is none too tall. The lack of a handle makes maneuvering the blade a lot easier. I have found that I tend to just flip the knife around on my finger rather than remove it if I need to manipulate something with my hands. Consequently, I've poked myself several times with the blade. Nevertheless, the finger knife is a pretty convenient addition to my tool box.
Attached are pictures of my progress so far.
Drat! Just noticed that I forgot to cut the hole in the deck for stepping the mast. Oh, well!
--jeff
Around 1900, there were several thousand skipjacks sailing the Chesapeake, harvesting oysters in season and performing other tasks the rest of the year. They were a particularly American development appearing in the late 19th century. While they do have a graceful shape, they were work boats through and through. They were typically built by local watermen and were of generally simple construction. It has been said that even a 'talented house carpenter' could build a skipjack. There currently are only around 30 skipjacks in existence, some still oystering, a few in museums and collections while others are used for educational and excursion purposes. It seems to be a point of pride that the Chesapeake skipjack fleet is the last American fishing fleet operating under sail. In fact, they are limited by law from using engines under some conditions so most of them carry a push boat to use when becalmed.
There have been a few false starts to this test build. In the first print out I found a sizing issue. Somehow, the bulkheads were not sized to match the keel and deck. I had to go back and resize everything to solve that issue.
The next step was walking down to the local Michael's craft store to see if they stocked chip board of roughly 1mm thickness to use in laminating parts. The sales staff had no idea what I was talking about. They could sell me fancy picture mattboard for an exorbitant price, but not just cheap cardboard. So I walked another mile down the road to the local art supply store. They had what I wanted and knew what I was talking about. I ruefully gazed out their front window at the apartment building I used to live in. My it would be convenient to still live there!
After laminating and cutting the keel pieces I discovered that my lamination was too thick. My double laminated, two millimeter thick keel was actually closer to three millimeters thick. So I reprinted and laminated the keel from 1 sheet of 1mm chipboard sandwiched between 4 sheets of 65# card. Perfect thickness! I then proceeded to break my last sharp Exacto blade. I called it a day, ordered some blades from Widget Supply Company and added a 'finger knife' to the order just to make it interesting.
The blades arrived yesterday so I've spent this morning cutting out the keel, bulkheads and false deck. At first I wasn't too sure whether I'd like the finger knife. I quickly became a fan. It doesn't seem to make cutting any easier. What I discover, though, is that it is a real advantage for me since I almost always cut looking through a magnifier stand which is none too tall. The lack of a handle makes maneuvering the blade a lot easier. I have found that I tend to just flip the knife around on my finger rather than remove it if I need to manipulate something with my hands. Consequently, I've poked myself several times with the blade. Nevertheless, the finger knife is a pretty convenient addition to my tool box.
Attached are pictures of my progress so far.
Drat! Just noticed that I forgot to cut the hole in the deck for stepping the mast. Oh, well!
--jeff
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