Paddleducks
Large Paddler Builds => General discussion (Large) => Topic started by: michael on November 10, 2006, 08:25:54 PM
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Here's a photo of my vessel currently under restoration. With most likely making next year's 2007 Murray River trip. Alot of sanding taking place with the deck's maybe getting varnished tomorrow and the hull getting its coat of paint/s next weekend by the girlfriend while I supervise!
Its cabin will have windows nearly the full height and width as it will be powered by an outboard/tiler and the more windows the better I will be able to see.
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That's excellent Michael! Sweet boat...I sanded more on my boat today! I am desperately wanting to move on to painting or even putting on a primer and fixing up the stupid rot (damn wooden boats!)
You have a cabin similar to what I am wanting to do for Grebe...but my roof will span from the 'cabin' bit to the end of the boat! The reason Cath has a 'parasol' in the picture (as Roderick put it) is because the sun was damn hot that day and she has fair skin so the extended roof will keep her nice and safe in sun and rain!
I should get Cath to come and paint too...you might be on to something Michael! :bravo
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Nice work Michael! How long is the Bunyip? You all are a lot further than me, I dont even have a hull yet :rant But I am getting there...
I think we all have similar ideas on what we want our boats to look to like though!!
Cheers :beer
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Well last night the girlfriend told me the front deck with the carpet "looks crap"!! So this morning I ripped up the front deck as well as the front of the cabin. Went into town and bought some 3mm ply, varnish, paintbrush and woodfill. Came home, sanded the edges around the hull and cleaned out the forward hull, then drew the lines on the wood and cut the shape out. I have now nailed/ glued it in place and filled some small gaps, tomorrow will sand and maybe varnish and do a couple of other sections of the deck. Adam Fitton (PS Ranger) is going to come around and fix the gap in the hull in the next week or soo then the hull can be painted and cabin work can commence. Thanks for the full length canopy Sean had never thought of it and after thinking of Jesse II it would look pretty good on her especiall if you have to drive it in the rain!
James- she's 4.8m long and 1.8m wide at its widest point
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You know in a few years there is going to be a fleet of similar sized and looking boats at Echuca!
Gee you're lucky to have people like Adam on your doorstep basically...I have to do all the 'hard' work myself! Thank goodness I don't have any major troubles that can't be fixed by someone with limited boating knowledge such as myself!
The full length canopy is plain and simply a good idea because it can get damn hot on the water! With no trees to give you shade it can be a killer! Then of course there is rain!
I've also contemplated putting little plastic side curtains on the boat for when it rains...with a steam engine though that could be bad!
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Well I finsihed the front deck today, just have some sanding to do beofre the varnish. I also removed the remaining cabin frame so it now looks like a larger version of Grebe!
I think the long roof will be the way to go, although the original length will be windows with a zip down canvas for sleeping in at night and the back section will be open like JesseII.
The ideas are there just not enough hours in the day or money in the bank!
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Maybe it wont be so bad having a few similar boats around Echuca, though the Sarah-Jane will see an awful lot of the river from Mannum up to Waikerie (because we own a house on the river in Morgan [Big Bend]). Yeah, I wish that I also had someone who could just drop around and do the tricky stuff, but maybe, Sean, we could just drop around to them and let them do the hard stuff!!! I was thinking have canvas that could roll down for night time and have a permanentaly open part at the back for the Sarah-Jane although a lot of room will be taken up with the steam engine!
And there is never ''enough'' money in the bank.
Did you build the hull from scratch Michael?
It does look awesome though!
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I like the plans for sleeping in a 3-5 metre boat...truly fantastic ideas! Michaels may work because he wants an outboard but I know there is very little room to move on Grebe let alone sleep! Zip down for rain, not sleep in my case! A tent is for sleeping!
Gee Michael you're getting further than I am! Very thankful for daylight savings, I'm off now to fill some rot gaps and cracks! BAH ROT!
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Hehe! Have a good time with the rot :D !! I am planning on having a 5-8 metre boat now>>> Changed my mind once again!!
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Bunyip with its new deck, not varnished yet. I varnished a small section at the stern tonight and it came up pretty good, but apparently you have to give it 5-8 coats, may need to go buy some more!! Also purchased some epoxy wood glue for the hull which was $10 at one store (mitre 10) and $2 at another(the warehouse) so I bought $10 worth!!
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Lookin' Good Michael!!!
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Well Adam came over last night and we got thestarboard side but-plate on, we ran out of glue so we will do the port side in a couple of weeks after he gets back from trade school and also nail them done in a way that it has a riveted look and if I do manage to hit something and the glue cracks the plate will hold her, so she will be a tough hull and look pretty hot. I am even considering having no cabin at all, as the larger the cabin the more it will be blown around by the wind. Adam may have also get me a 5.5hp outboard, got prices on 6-8hp new outboard motors up to $3,000au.
Today I have varnished the side decks with my marine varnish, and have it outside in the sun drying.
Adam is also getting me a heat gun to get rid of the inside paint and prime and repaint it..... girlfriends job!
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Heat guns are seriously the worlds best paint scraping invention ever...so quick so easy!
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So you would recommend a heat gun to strip paint off the wood!!
I know that I need the quickest and most best way possible!!
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that would be a yes :wink:
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Cooooool!!! (Well no, it would be hot)
Jeee, engine are quite expensive!!
Well, the Bunyip is lookin' Good!!
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Well tonight we had Luke(Billy Tea) and Adam(Ranger) over, the result included some sanding and the other butt plate fixed to the hull.
The girlfriend got me a heat gun for christmas so that has been a great help for the paint removal. I'm getting some 'donated' paint tomorrow and hopefully some paint, so it won't make the New Years deadline but it will be close!
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you'll have to post some pics of the progress...!
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Yes, I am also eager to see the progress.. Is it possible that you could email me some close (Very Close) ups of Adams Wooden clinker?? I need a good picture so I can compare with Sarah-Jane's hull... Thanks
:beer
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James: That was the only photo I took of the clinker, I had a couple of it still at his school but i don't have them anymore.
Okay here's a shot of Bunyip today, with the but plates on, second coat of varnish on the decks and slowly removing paint on the inside with my heat gun
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Bunyip looks great Michael!! The wood on the decks is coming up nicely eh?!?! I haven't even started seriously stripping paint of SJ yet.. i have been working around 30-40 hours a week at work (the week before chrissie i worked like 87).. going to find some time in the new year.. but Bunyip is looking nice!!
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okay, got back from my trip to Mildura and today got stuck into Bunyip, Melissa was also onboard working up a sweat, we got alot more paint removed, sanding done and also got our first coat of prime on (as pictured below) donated by Adam.... and the port!!!
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Today, another section of the side done in prime, and two more sections just about sanded so hopefully will be primed in the next two days, along with the step up the front, it is half sanded and will be varnished once completed. The section primed yesterday was sanded and is awaiting an undercoat
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Well tonight I did the last section on the left side of my boat, so I now have one whole side in prime, just got to do the other side and the bottom! Also obtained a thing for the rope at the bow which came off an old clinker, so I took that around to Adam Auditori's tonight and put it in the acid bath to clean it up.
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Michael,she is looking great keep up the good work,Walter Cooper Norwich Connecticut
michael <large_discussion@paddleducks.co.uk> wrote: Well tonight I did the last section on the left side of my boat, so I now have one whole side in prime, just got to do the other side and the bottom! Also obtained a thing for the rope at the bow which came off an old clinker, so I took that around to Adam Auditori's tonight and put it in the acid bath to clean it up.
Michael
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Well I've had a few distractions the last few weeks, but i finally got half of the bottom primed today. So I'm at the half way mark for the inside or 1/4 of the way for the whole hull!
Girlfriends working 7days a week at the moment so I'm having to do everything!
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Well I'm getting the hang of this heat gun in under 2hrs I managed to get all the paint off the topsides of the hull both sides and stern. Heading to Melbourne tonight for school all week so no more work till next week.
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This afternoon had Adam out again for the last time, we nailed the butplates to the hull and gave it the riveted look, so now she is now strong again in that region, we had a storm go though last night and managed to get some water in the hull, while I was under the hull i noticed some wet patches either side of the keelson, hopefully nothing to worry about but will do some work to that section when she gets flipped over.
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After a few hours spent on Bunyip this weekend I've finally got the topsides done in 2coats of prime, I've just got to finish sanding and priming the other half inside the hull then I will flip her over to do her bottom, hoping that will be this weekend, time will tell.
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Well more like 3weekends later I've finally got around to flip the hull up on its side, which I realised was easier to work at than it being upside down, and started at removing all the paint from the bottom, got nearly the front half all done and should have 3/4 done by the end off tomorrow.
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The first side of the bottom has been primed and the boat is now flipped up on its other side and is has half of the paint removed aswell. I have been awaiting for some epoxy glue but the store I buy it from hasn't got anymore for the last couple of months, might have to go shopping elsewhere!
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Ok, well the Junction Rally deadline never happened, so now looking for the October Heritage Festival (if they have one).
I ended up going shopping elsewhere for glue, eventually finding some on my holidays while in Canberra 8hr drive from home!!
So port side has been glued, pink primed and today primed and undercoated with a 'epensive' marine paint aswell as the stern. Once dry will sand and flip back on to the other side to do the same, then need to get topcoat paint, also expensive! Paint the inside and fit a new 'bit' and cleats.
I have also stripped the paint off the trailer, and begun repainting it, re building the rollers, mudgaurds and will need to get new tyres and rewire the lights. It can be done, it must be done!
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Well yesterday I got myself another little boat (18th August 2007). Its a clinker hull fibreglassed outside 3.4m long and 1.4 wide. It is propelled driven powered by a Pilot petrol engine and carried on a Rice tipping trailer, all made in Melbourne Vic.
She needs abit of work before she goes into the water, abit of fibreglassing needs to be redone and alot of timber work inside needs replacing. Engine needs a check over, I don't even know how it starts!
And the trailer needs a fair bit of work done too.
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ha ha ha i was going to bid on this boat on ebay.....but it was little to far to drive and pick up .
well done at least it's gone to a good home and for $ you can't complain.
perfect for a little steamer :wink:
a year back there were heaps of clinker hull's for sale around my area can't find a single one . :?:
good luck
anthony
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IIRC the original PS Bunyip had twin hulls (with a paddle between them)?
Michael's latest acquisition could well be used with the older hull in a small-scale version of this Cambodian concept.
In Cambodia, the deck lashed across three hulls could carry two or four minibuses.
On two hulls, Michael could mount a deck capable of supporting just one chick magnet.
Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor
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Well today I flipped Bunyip upside down and painted her bottom, was the easiest way to do both sides, unlike having it on it's side. Will put another coat on tomorrow, get new tyres for the trailer Monday and hopefully some paint for the topsides during the week and by then will hopefully beat the October deadline.
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Tonight I got the tyres on the trailer and with a little help got the hull onto the trailer, I've tapped her sides so I can now go and paint her topsides.
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A big weekend of boating ahead. Tomorrow me and are a mate are taking steam launch Breezy out on the Murray around picnic point for the day. On sunday, if all goes well Bunyip will be going into the water, to check that she is water tight. The topsides have been painted, although some section look bed so they'll need sanding back and recoat, most of the inside floor has been undercoated aswell as all her sides. Will also fit her 'bit' and fittings during the coming we, and hopefully get some topcoat for the insides. Also making up fittings so I can hand my kero navigation lights on her. Then purchase some timber to deck a floor inside, and maybe some seats.
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Bunyip went back into the water this morning for over a year and a half! All went well no leaks, and she sits higher out of the water with no cabin or heavy deck, will pull her out later today so I can continue work for heritage festival.
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Not much has happened to Bunyip this week, work getting in the way, althoI have painted and fitted the 'bit'. So for a bit of fun I put my new boat in the water today, she had a few leaks, but still managed to hope in it, one hand with a bucket and the tiller in the other hand while my brother pulled me along the bank!! I'm now considering taking all the fibreglass off and replacing the timber, more expensive but will make it more authentic, engine is just about ready, needs its magneto fixed.
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Nice new boat Michael,
Sorry I haven't been around lately everyone, school and other hobbies have been keeping me relatively busy.
Not to mention (on a side note from this thread) my families financial situation hasn't allowed us to venture near Echuca for some time.
We are in desperate need of a holiday though...and with exams on the horizon who knows when that will be.
So what are the exact plans for the new boat Michael? Bunyip looks good on the water.
Hmmm with no more school next year...or at least a fair gap before Uni, I should tinker on Grebe a bit more, maybe get her floating, next to the 'wharf'.
Sean
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Computer is playing up so can't post a photo of Bunyip as it is now, with 'bit' fitted and blue trim painted. Did some more painting inside the forward hull today, will fitt out for storage and cd player+ speakers.
New boat has had the fibreglass stripped so she's back to timber, fair few large holes. Don't know if I should re plank her or do the cheap way of patching. Engine is in at work, just needs the magneto fixed then it can be ready to go back in.
I may even get a third boat in the next couple of weeks, will just wait and see.
Shame you didn't make it to the heritage festival. Last year was better any way!
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We'll I have had Bunyip floating out in the back dam, but she has been filling up with water, Rainwater that is! So I have back out.Sunday I went to a Clearing Sale near Bendigo at a old museum, lots of interesting things there. I got myself a nice little outboard motor for Bunyip, apparently its in going order and came with a manual and spare parts booklets, all for $70. Its rated at 5hp so hopefully it will get me around no problems. I also picked up a couple of pressure gauges which will look nice once cleaned up. I've got the rest of the week off, so will be fixing up the outboard motor and working on my clinker hull.
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I mentioned in a different thread that I photographed a Bunyip in an irrigation channel on Monday.
Yes, it was Michael's boat.
A bunyip comes from Australian aboriginal folklore: a large serpentine creature, occupying rivers and lakes (an Australian version of a Loch Ness monster). It is usually interpreted as a large snake, with multiple arches in its spine rising above water. Once again, google has heaps.
The name appears in Victoria in the town of Bunyip, and Bunyip River.
Michael chose it because of an ancestral farm in that region, and maintaining the tradition of using river names for river boats.
It certainly looked very smart sitting where I photographed it. Even with no cabin, it can't go for more than 200 m: low-height bridges lack the clearance for anything but a riderless kayak.
Regards,
Roderick B Smith
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Ok that's it I'm going to get back to work on Grebe on Wednesday because Michael's boat i making me jealous.
I actually like the idea of the little old outboard too- I might try something like that until I can upgrade to paddles.
Michael she looks great, you've done a brilliant job.
Sean
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Yeah it'd be good if thwe bloody engine would work!! I've gotta take it in to get checked out cos I've fixed it so much as my knowledge. Girlfriend got me some oars for Xmas, so have taken the row locks off the clinker, will clean them up and fit them to bunyip so I can at least row properly without a shovel!
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With over 3inches of rain in the past 24hrs Bunyip filled up and nearly went under, if it wasn't for the bow rope! So this morning I've had to pump her out, she back out of the water and i'l wash her out and hopefully fit the row locks sometime this week.
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Viewers/readers can see here the source of my earlier comment in this thread 'bridge with clearance only for a riderless kayak'.
After a disaster, modellers can always hoist their boats out of the water on a sling, and work in the clubroom or home workshops. Owners of full-size boats have to solve disasters where they happen (see Jessie II blown ashore in a different thread).
It would have been nice to submerge lower, and cruise under the bridge to the Goulburn. That technique is used by Rhine cruisers (AFAIK the screw or water jet ones, not the paddle ones) at low bridges: fill the ballast tanks, sink the lower-deck cabins underwater, get under the bridge, then empty the ballast tanks again.
However, it is important with Bunyip not to get the pentaphonic stereo speakers soaked.
Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor
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Reminds me of one of the vessels which brought the dredging barges into the bay. They were all stacked on top, massive things, and to get them off the boat submerges itself and they float off.
Seems like a well used trick.
Sean
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A message from Michael 2 weeks ago: 'bought a 9.9hp outboard motor for Bunyip today, with fuel tank, also got some timber so I can build a floor inside the hull. So I should be cruising the irrigation channels this weekend'. I have had phone confirmation that the inaugural cruise has happened. Michael will post the full details when he is able retrieve the photos to upload with the message.
Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor
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Thanks Roderick, I still haven't got the camera off the girlfriend with the SA trip. I took Bunyip out again today, this time on the back dam, last week was on a irrigation channel. This time I brought our english backpacker with me, he was hungover last weekend! Spent a hour just doing laps up and down and a few donughts aswell just to get the fell of it all. Was a great time. Sean is due to be up this week so hopefully il get hime out on ther water.
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Looking forward to it, she looks sweet!
Sean
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Is that the "english backpacker" in the last photo?
Regards,
Gerald.
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Over the last month I have spent alot of time and money on Bunyip, it is now registered aswell as the trailer, which has got its lights, and another coat of paint. I got Bunyips name made up aswell as 'Merrigum' the place where she now calls home! I have also given its deck a second coat of varnish and will have that fitted tomorrow, aswell as giving the top deck a new coat of varnish. The hull has been scratched in a few places so will require some touch up too.
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I suspect that Michael is too busy boating to post.
I had a message tonight (Tues.26.8) that he had cruised Bunyip from Shepparton to Mooroopna. This is Victoria's own mighty Goulburn River, but below Goulburn Weir. It is good that there was sufficient water. I crossed the middle Goulburn at Seymour a few days ago, and it was well up. Meanwhile, Australia is having the best ski season for over a decade. The spring runoff could be substantial, and replenish (but not fill) depleted reservoirs and rivers.
Michael hopes to have more Goulburn cruising on Saturday.
Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor
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Bunyip has been moored at the port of Echuca this past month as I have been able to use it after work and on days off.
Today being Melbourne Cup Day (state holiday) I spent the day cruising, up the Murray, nearly to Cape Horn, past the PS Murrumbidgee wreck, but nothing to see. Then up the Goulburn, stopped in at PV Florence Annie which was moored a couple of bends in, then proceeded to Stewarts Bridge, with the river up a little I managed to get through and head up a few more bends before turning around and heading back to the port (a good hour cruises).
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That looks great fun ;D (seating looks like it's comfortble too!)
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With Michael having moved on to PV Struggler, his first boat is no longer prime news. However, it was damaged in a paddleboat incident, and was winched out of the water and taken back to Michael's house to be repaired. The outboard motor had not been on the boat at the time.
Michael: Poor boat was tied up beside PS Britannia and he had the wheels turning over and crashed her arse! Had to winch her up the steep bank this morning and brought her home, now have to fix her up, so won't be going anywhere in her for a while!
Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor