Active Active   Unanswered Unanswered

Search found 337 matches

by robertpaul
Thu Jan 10, 2019 11:25 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser
Replies: 224
Views: 104439

Re: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser

Thanks John. Here are a couple of pictures of the finished repair. I still have a little bit of hand sanding to do on the top edge, but it is square and near done. I have a few more spots to fill in a similar manner, as well as a crack in the plank where the metal step was located. I think over the ...
by robertpaul
Wed Jan 09, 2019 7:30 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser
Replies: 224
Views: 104439

Re: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser

Just when you thought I wouldn't try everyone's patience with itty bitty repairs to an original plank, I will do that by showing how I repaired the edge today. Tomorrow I will remove the clamps and clean it all up. Like it or not, I will share that as well. It's winter and we are all itching for woo...
by robertpaul
Mon Jan 07, 2019 2:14 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser
Replies: 224
Views: 104439

Re: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser

Clamps off and some clean-up. I have done a bit of sanding to remove the epoxy glue squeeze-out and, in retrospect, next time I will tape over the fastener holes to minimize how much escapes. It will make clean-up easier. I will do the final shaping after the plank is re-installed. I still have to c...
by robertpaul
Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:48 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser
Replies: 224
Views: 104439

Re: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser

Second piece glued into place at the port end of this original plank. I ran the grain at 90degrees to the original plank to mitigate splitting at the end on the outside. Being lazy, it also made it easier to fabricate a single piece to span the width of the plank. I still have some very minor repair...
by robertpaul
Sat Jan 05, 2019 6:13 pm
Forum: Constellation Enthusiast Group
Topic: Trying to acquire a 1957 46 foot constellation
Replies: 6
Views: 7144

Re: Trying to acquire a 1957 46 foot constellation

I agree with John. Don't consider anything without knowing the true condition of the hull. Always start at the bottom and be a skeptic.
by robertpaul
Tue Jan 01, 2019 3:46 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser
Replies: 224
Views: 104439

Re: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser

Meanwhile, back at the ranch..... I have been working on repairing the ends of the transom plank shown in the posts above. I am using re-cycled bottom planking for the job. So far I have scarfed the recycled material onto the stbd end, and it seems to have gone ok. The grains match well with just in...
by robertpaul
Sat Dec 22, 2018 2:48 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Cold weather varnishing
Replies: 7
Views: 7117

Re: Cold weather varnishing

Did you experience runs or sagging on vertical surfaces due to the extended drying time? I am sure you were careful to apply thin coats, but with the longer time required for the solvents to flash, I am curious if this was a problem.
by robertpaul
Fri Dec 21, 2018 10:30 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser
Replies: 224
Views: 104439

Re: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser

Over the last couple of days I have been at the boat. It was cool in the building, hovering near 1c. It is fine for wood working, although I can't use paints or adhesives. I have lots of to do over the winter preparing the bottom for final caulking (gapping and filling where the sealant did not full...
by robertpaul
Sat Dec 15, 2018 5:15 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser
Replies: 224
Views: 104439

Re: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser

Yes, JR, it is lovely stuff. I ran the new blank through the planer several times just now. It still needs to lose about 5/16" to get to the proper thickness, but it is dark and cold so I will continue tomorrow. Although the glue line is starting to disappear I expect it will still be visible in the...
by robertpaul
Fri Dec 14, 2018 4:25 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser
Replies: 224
Views: 104439

Re: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser

I am in the final stages of fabricating the blank that I will scarf into the stbd end of the transom plank (see previous posts). After laminating, I squared them up with my mitre saw. Then I selected the sides that best matched grain, and where the grain might help hide the horizontal scarf joint. T...
by robertpaul
Tue Dec 11, 2018 1:27 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser
Replies: 224
Views: 104439

Re: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser

I went to my stash of original bottom planks and quickly found one that looked to be a likely candidate for re-use. None of the bottom planks are as wide nor as thick as the transom planks so I will have do some laminating. However, I cut a length of the best part (about 6') and trimmed off a few in...
by robertpaul
Sun Dec 09, 2018 8:49 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser
Replies: 224
Views: 104439

Re: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser

Now that the windshields are done, I have turned my attention to repairing transom planks. The transom consists of five planks, almost 9' long for the top one, and just over 8' at the bottom. They are 3/4" thick and over 10" wide. Of the five, the second and third from the top are originals, and pos...
by robertpaul
Sun Dec 02, 2018 10:50 am
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser
Replies: 224
Views: 104439

Re: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser

Now that both windshields are assembled, all that remains is to clean them up and re-finish. However, I wanted to check to make sure that the two are at least close to being identical before I do anymore. I will test fit them on the boat (which is 400kms away) but for now I just positioned them face...
by robertpaul
Thu Nov 29, 2018 1:28 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser
Replies: 224
Views: 104439

Re: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser

On page 6 of this thread, I repaired the corners of the windshield frames and prepared them for re-assembly. Over the last couple of days I have finally put them together and it seems that it worked out ok. I had a can of Pettit Seam Compound that I acquired around 1992, and it worked great as beddi...
by robertpaul
Sun Nov 18, 2018 10:37 am
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: slow leak at transom and hull join
Replies: 3
Views: 3651

Re: slow leak at transom and hull join

This may be silly to ask, but.... have you checked to make sure the water is not coming from the exhaust? Possibly condensation from the metal exhaust fitting, dripping from above? The stains on the transom seem to be consistent with this.... or I am seeing things.... which is entirely possible.
by robertpaul
Sun Nov 18, 2018 9:27 am
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser
Replies: 224
Views: 104439

Re: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser

JR. You are not going to believe this. I barely do. Check out this picture I took when Elude was first placed in her new location. Note the ladder-like frame leaning against the wall. I just checked with the boatyard and was told it was used several years ago to steam bend transom planks for a 1938 ...
by robertpaul
Sat Nov 17, 2018 5:57 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser
Replies: 224
Views: 104439

Re: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser

Thanks JR. The transom does have a significant curve. That is why I laminated my transom bow in place. Did you steam first? I know mahogany doesn't steam very well, but it does take the edge off. Did you use DRM, African, Genuine?
by robertpaul
Sat Nov 17, 2018 10:53 am
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser
Replies: 224
Views: 104439

Re: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser

I have finished fastening the new bottom except for the butt blocks. All the intermediate frames are laminated to 1 1/4". I will paint them to match the rest of the bilge when it warms up in the spring. I still have to caulk the seams that did not fully flood through when I put on the planks and of ...
by robertpaul
Fri Nov 09, 2018 11:31 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser
Replies: 224
Views: 104439

Re: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser

Stbd done and port about 85%. Long day today. I laminated the remaining port intermediates that could not be done before the move. Seven amidship under the gas tank and engine. I had to wriggle down deep into the bilge to tack the three under the gas tank and it was hard. But it worked out fine and ...
by robertpaul
Thu Nov 08, 2018 6:29 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser
Replies: 224
Views: 104439

Re: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser

Port side is almost completely refastened, swapping out temporary screws/washers with permanent screws. Just along the keelson and the butt blocks left. Port is 1/2 done. The last minute nature of our eviction from the Port of Toronto (me and everyone else) meant that I had to leave some intermediat...
by robertpaul
Sun Oct 28, 2018 6:10 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser
Replies: 224
Views: 104439

Re: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser

Lead is banned here so it will be a challenge. I did do the CPES deal on the inner bottom and inside of the outer planks. Didn't have time to do the outer before being tossed out of the Port of Toronto with everyone else. If I can't get the primer I will do the epoxy bit, but it won't be until it wa...
by robertpaul
Sun Oct 28, 2018 3:23 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser
Replies: 224
Views: 104439

Re: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser

Hi JR, nice to hear from you again. I used polyurethane sealant/adhesive intended for use below the waterline. It is a DAP product, readily available and less than 1/3 the price of the well known brand. I used A LOT of it. I will concede that it may not create quite as tenacious a bond as the well k...
by robertpaul
Sat Oct 27, 2018 2:58 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser
Replies: 224
Views: 104439

Re: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser

And yesterday my neighbour arrived.
by robertpaul
Sat Oct 27, 2018 2:49 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser
Replies: 224
Views: 104439

Re: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser

I have been busy swapping out the temporary deck screw/washer combination with the permanent fasteners. It has been quite cold this week but it is better than the 40+c I was dealing with before the big move. Here are some pictures of my progress. I have fastened all along the stem and keel, the chin...
by robertpaul
Sat Oct 20, 2018 11:29 am
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: installing new sideplanks
Replies: 15
Views: 9310

Re: installing new sideplanks

I will share a small observation I have made working on Elude. Every plank, bottom or topside, has been either painted, or otherwise sealed by what appears to be a thin brush of varnish. The back of the transom planks (which are bright on the outside) were painted with bilge paint before assembly. E...
by robertpaul
Sat Oct 13, 2018 7:16 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser
Replies: 224
Views: 104439

Re: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser

I have spent about 25 joyful hours pulling the temporary deck screws and replacing them with #12 Bugle Head SS screws. 2" for the keel, stem and chines, 2 1/2" for the frames, and #10x2" for the intermediate frames. The process is quite straight forward. Along the keel, stem and chines I pulled and ...
by robertpaul
Fri Oct 12, 2018 8:07 pm
Forum: Constellation Enthusiast Group
Topic: Restoration?
Replies: 52
Views: 38330

Re: Restoration?

I agree. These boats will go indefinitely with proper care and repairs. Did the shop take any pictures of the keelsons they removed? When I replaced mine, I took what looked like the best part of one and routed out the surface to see the inside. Would love to see any pictures of the originals.
by robertpaul
Thu Sep 27, 2018 2:40 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: 5200 paintable?
Replies: 5
Views: 3679

Re: 5200 paintable?

Getting closer to going boating, John. Getting closer.
by robertpaul
Wed Sep 26, 2018 8:22 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: 5200 paintable?
Replies: 5
Views: 3679

Re: 5200 paintable?

The seams were filled with 5200 in 1990. primed with Interlux Primer and finished with Interlux Brightside topcoat. This picture was taken a few weeks ago. The seams have opened a bit because the boat has been out of service for 9 years, but the paint is still adhering well to the 5200. The discolou...
by robertpaul
Wed Sep 26, 2018 9:46 am
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser
Replies: 224
Views: 104439

Re: Honey, have you finished fixing Elude yet? 1937 35' Cruiser

By next week I will doing the tedious job of removing the temporary fasteners from the bottom, drilling pilot holes and countersinks, and putting in the permanent fasteners. I figure somewhere around 4,000 of them. Oddly, I am quite excited about the prospect of spending a couple of weeks back under...