| The ply I am using is Indonesian Melapi and South African Chen chen.
The Melapi is quite similar to lauan and rather heavy and the chen chen is
a lightweight ply. All the bulkheads are made of chen chen. Both plys are
cheap to buy here.
The glue is epoxy, I originally started using a particular urea
formaldehyde which failed the test (fell apart after the joint was
stressed) so I was that horrified I switched to epoxy, In fact I have
become a convert, nice glue.
Fastenings are bronze boat nails, the ringed variety. I was going to
use galvanized but decided it wasn't a good idea considering where I am
going to use the boat, i.e. saltwater estuary.
Finances dictate that I use my 2-1/2 OB for a month or two, I
intend to replace it with either a 15 or a 20 horse motor. The big problem
with secondhand motors that have been used in saltwater is corrosion, So I
prefer to buy a new one rather than a motor that has the leg frozen on
with rust or with its guts eaten out. I have been using one of those evil
little Coleman canoes about the same length of Campjon with a 2 horse
motor , it went at a fast walking pace and I presume Campjon with its
rigid bottom will go a touch faster. Calm water only until I get the
bigger motor.
I didn't make any changes to the boat, I think there is
a guy building one in the States (NY?) who has
added height and length to the cab.
I'm looking forward to seeing how the boat performs, particularly in
a small chop/mild sea. There are some interesting places for me to visit
if the boat lives up to expectations.
I must admit I'm having a ball building this thing.
Luke Spreadborough
lukesp@bigpond.com |
