GLEN-L 12 / Bill Haines / Summit, NJ
August 20, 2007. The Genesis of the project was a phone call from a friend who is the Tech Ed (Shop) teacher at the local high school. He told me that the school was replacing the bleachers in the gym and the old wood was in and near a dumpster behind the school. I was able to collect a number of boards up to 16’x9”x1 1/8” of well seasoned mahogany. I had no idea what I was to do with the lumber. Several years later, I ordered the plans and began my version of the Glen-L 12. I have never built a boat or attempted any project like this.
After chipping the gum off the bottom, the bleachers made excellent material for the frames, chine logs, sheer clamps and battens.
I started in Feb 2006, assembling the frames, transom and building form. Working a little from time-to-time, I got most of the frame assembled on the form before the summer of 2006.
Here it is a year-and-a-half later and I have started work on the boat again. I learned the hard way that the fastening schedule is there for a reason. It is much more difficult to attach the chine log to the stem if it is already screwed and glued to the frames and the transom. It is very difficult to cut the correct angle and length – and since it was already attached, there is no second chance. I got it right on the starboard side but cut it too short on the port. So, the project sat for several months while I mulled over how to fix this. Ultimately, I shaped a block to attach to the stem at the attachment point for the chine log. The block was sized and shaped to mate with the stem and the angle cut into the chine log. All was glued and screwed and I was able to move forward.
The frame was completed in late July. Planing of all the angles on the chine logs, sheers, keel and stem were not as arduous as I anticipated. Planking and fairing are complete and the seal coat of epoxy has been applied.
Things I have learned since starting this project:
- Directions are there for a reason.
- Building materials or supplies with marine or boat as a prefix will be at least twice the price.
- My friends must think I am stupid (the first question I get is ‘how will you get it out of the basement?’)
- A good filet of epoxy and wood flour is an excellent remedy for modest carpentry skills.
- Bronze screws sand pretty well.
26 June 2008
The boat is mostly done but most importantly out of the basement.