re: The second pirogue build is on

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Really wish I could attend the next build

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I'm still hoping for that, but nobody is stepping up for a date.

Got back on it and got a little progress. Things are kind of urgent. I'm really pushing myself to get this done ASAP.

Got the batten cut. This was a 16', #1 stock of fir 1"x4"x16'. I passed it on a table saw, setting the blade at 20 degrees. Before splitting it center, I had cut it at 14'6".




That 20 degree high point will go to the inside. I will get more pictures to show what is what when it comes to the battens installed.

From that point, I took a scrap piece of 1"x2" that was about 16" long and I adjusted the cut to fit inside to the bow stem. Transferred that to one end of the batten, cut. Then measured the inside for bow stem to bow stem. That was 146 3/4". Another scrap 1 by, cut to angle and transferred to the batten.

NOTE*! Cut it long and recut a few times. Have the boat up side down when installing battens. You have to feed them from inside. I will get a picture of this process tomorrow installing the other side. Many wood clamps are used at this point! This takes a cut ,try, fit and recut, ect.

Battens will start shaping the boat for the rake on the bottom.

This is with only one batten glued and screwed with the other side in place being held by a few clamps.



I will keep adding on this post tomorrow.

I will keep posting on this post that way everything will be together.

As posted above about installing a batten. Once cut to size, you feed it down and put the other end to the bow stem. Once you start pulling it to the side, bending it, you have to play with both ends to get it to fit in place. I use one clamp at the splice loose there till I get it in place.

Notice that the 20 degree angle is going to the inside of the boat.





Big NOTE* that I didn't add before!

That scrap 1x2 is set to the back side of the plywood splice, held in with a small finishing nail. Also it is set about 2" from the bottom of the boat. This piece will be removed in time.




Once you get both battens glued and screwed in place, it's time to start adjusting the bottom width. You can adjust that anywhere from 25" to 27" at the widest point which should be at the splice.

Towards the other end about 1/3 from the bow stem, I use a small rope or string to pull that side in some. About 2". It's a adjustment game at this point to were you adjust that to what you like.



Got some more work done.

Time to cut the extra on the bow stem bottom. Just draw a line even with the bottom of the plywood side. I use a circle saw to cut this, but it has to be even across. You can use a hand saw too!





At this point, it's time to start planning. You want to plane enough just to set the bottom ribs in. Using a flat edge length wise and across, cut everything flat. I have a good board that I use, but a long level works great.





Time to install the 3/4 piece of plywood for the bottom splice. Mark on the batten to were each side splice is. Lay your splice piece across. Mark from under along the batten to the 3/4" plywood. Do both sides. I use a circle saw to cut this. So what I do is set the saw on the batten and adjust the angle to the inside of the batten. From there, I flip the splice piece and add about 1/2" to the outside of the line that was marked before. When you cut, make sure you are cutting the right angle. Both side are the same, but you have to cut from the opposite side. Once cut, dry fit. Adjust, cut as needed.






Any holidays, prefill them with wood putty.




To install, the plane area must be flat across. The splice piece must be flush with the bottom of the battens. I use (2) # 12, 2" long screws per side. Use brass. I didn't have any and didn't feel like running to town. I will swap them later when I get some. Dry fit and predrill one hole on each side. countersink hole too!




To help pull things in, rig up something like this. Adjust as needed.




This is what you should have.




Plane, eye the bottom from one end to the other. Take out all dips and adjust as needed.

Then start adding bottoms ribs. 18" to 22" apart. Dry fit, predrill, glue and screw.

NOTE!* Make sure that the top of each rib is flush with the top of the battens. They should extend a little out the bottom that will need to be plane down.

And now, this is were I'm at. I'm dragging and yes, the heat kicked my butt.