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#1 ·
Why a PDR? First steps...

Why a Puddle Duck Racer (aka A PDR or PD Racer)? Check out this great resource on the pdr site: http://www.pdracer.com/site-map.php

A few weeks ago I made a big decision…to put my Weekender Sailboat (see blog on 1st sail boat here: http://lumberjocks.com/matt1970/blog/14831 ) on TEMPORARY HIATUS to build a PDR. My Weekender build has gone well overall considering that I have never built a boat…and I am learning a lot…but I find myself going on and off the build for months at a time. This summer I got a lot done…but then once again the coming of school put me on hold with all the duties of teaching consuming me…with the time off it got me back to thinking how badly I just wanted to get out and sail.

Over the summer I met a gentleman who was getting ready to launch a little sailboat he built himself…we talked for quite a while and he said that his little boat was his 15th boat and how he loved staying small so that he could get out on the water quick and easy. I was excited by his enthusiasm…and the knowledge of the Stevenson Weekender being known for an easy build for beginners (within reason) and easy to launch quickly…

But watching him launch his little boat and seeing him scoot across the water on the Napa River which is 5 minutes from my house got me thinking about how it would be nice to be able to sail sooner…and with a tiny boat to be able to run right over and launch right after work…also the napa river is perfect for this size boat…where as my Weekender I would have to go down closer to Vallejo to be able to sail comfortably…or further during my learning phase to a lake…

So as school started and I wasn't finding the time to build…i was finding the time to look around on the internet…I found the PDRACER.com site…and just like when I found the Stevenson website a couple years ago I started looking at builder photo after photo…this site really did talk about a 2 week build…

Well it has been a couple weeks…and I am really enjoying the build…with a small boat the progress is HUGE…and with all I have learned on the Weekender I am putting to good use on the PDR. Tonight I clamped down the boat bottom--so that the ply can bend…and tomorrow I will officially glue it down--so I will have a completed hull in 3 weeks…and I may be able to row this thing in a week--but with spars and sail a few more weeks…

This is a boat that would be great for anyone…

Here is the link to the site where I learned a lot: http://www.pdracer.com/site-map.php

Photos below:
Below-(A): This is the outline of the hull. What makes this "box" boat a PDR is the first ten inches in the class rules…above 10 inches your boat may change…some people go crazy and put little cabins…again…you must stay with this hull shape to be a PDR…

Rectangle Font Parallel Circle Paper


(B): First you take 1/4" ply sheets and cut 16" wide panels (you need 4)-Hannah is starting to draw "station lines".

Table Wood Building Shade Engineering


(C) From the station lines you mark off points and attach nails…then a bendable piece to loft/draw curves onto the first panel.

Table Wood Market Human settlement T-shirt


(D): Next the 4 panels are cut out…two will be the outside edge of the boat…and the other two will be 7" inside to act as more support, a bench top--but most importantly will form an air box along each side of the boat…some people put the air boxes on each end…but my research showed me that the side air boxes are the safest…

Cabinetry Wood Wood stain Drawer Table


(E): With the 4 panels all cut I clamped them together and faired their edge to be the same…some people cut all 4 panels together at once…I chose to do each one separately.

Table Wood Tool Wood stain Workbench


Table Wood Hardwood Flooring Engineering


ANd to my Weekender fans--DONT WORRY…I am excited again…and want to get out and build…and I am super fortunate that my wife is supporting me…she gets the logic--built this one quick…and then sail it to learn on…and then when the weekender is done…I will have some more sailing under my belt…

Next up--THE PANELS…
 

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#2 ·
Why a PDR? First steps...

Why a Puddle Duck Racer (aka A PDR or PD Racer)? Check out this great resource on the pdr site: http://www.pdracer.com/site-map.php

A few weeks ago I made a big decision…to put my Weekender Sailboat (see blog on 1st sail boat here: http://lumberjocks.com/matt1970/blog/14831 ) on TEMPORARY HIATUS to build a PDR. My Weekender build has gone well overall considering that I have never built a boat…and I am learning a lot…but I find myself going on and off the build for months at a time. This summer I got a lot done…but then once again the coming of school put me on hold with all the duties of teaching consuming me…with the time off it got me back to thinking how badly I just wanted to get out and sail.

Over the summer I met a gentleman who was getting ready to launch a little sailboat he built himself…we talked for quite a while and he said that his little boat was his 15th boat and how he loved staying small so that he could get out on the water quick and easy. I was excited by his enthusiasm…and the knowledge of the Stevenson Weekender being known for an easy build for beginners (within reason) and easy to launch quickly…

But watching him launch his little boat and seeing him scoot across the water on the Napa River which is 5 minutes from my house got me thinking about how it would be nice to be able to sail sooner…and with a tiny boat to be able to run right over and launch right after work…also the napa river is perfect for this size boat…where as my Weekender I would have to go down closer to Vallejo to be able to sail comfortably…or further during my learning phase to a lake…

So as school started and I wasn't finding the time to build…i was finding the time to look around on the internet…I found the PDRACER.com site…and just like when I found the Stevenson website a couple years ago I started looking at builder photo after photo…this site really did talk about a 2 week build…

Well it has been a couple weeks…and I am really enjoying the build…with a small boat the progress is HUGE…and with all I have learned on the Weekender I am putting to good use on the PDR. Tonight I clamped down the boat bottom--so that the ply can bend…and tomorrow I will officially glue it down--so I will have a completed hull in 3 weeks…and I may be able to row this thing in a week--but with spars and sail a few more weeks…

This is a boat that would be great for anyone…

Here is the link to the site where I learned a lot: http://www.pdracer.com/site-map.php

Photos below:
Below-(A): This is the outline of the hull. What makes this "box" boat a PDR is the first ten inches in the class rules…above 10 inches your boat may change…some people go crazy and put little cabins…again…you must stay with this hull shape to be a PDR…

Rectangle Font Parallel Circle Paper


(B): First you take 1/4" ply sheets and cut 16" wide panels (you need 4)-Hannah is starting to draw "station lines".

Table Wood Building Shade Engineering


(C) From the station lines you mark off points and attach nails…then a bendable piece to loft/draw curves onto the first panel.

Table Wood Market Human settlement T-shirt


(D): Next the 4 panels are cut out…two will be the outside edge of the boat…and the other two will be 7" inside to act as more support, a bench top--but most importantly will form an air box along each side of the boat…some people put the air boxes on each end…but my research showed me that the side air boxes are the safest…

Cabinetry Wood Wood stain Drawer Table


(E): With the 4 panels all cut I clamped them together and faired their edge to be the same…some people cut all 4 panels together at once…I chose to do each one separately.

Table Wood Tool Wood stain Workbench


Table Wood Hardwood Flooring Engineering


ANd to my Weekender fans--DONT WORRY…I am excited again…and want to get out and build…and I am super fortunate that my wife is supporting me…she gets the logic--built this one quick…and then sail it to learn on…and then when the weekender is done…I will have some more sailing under my belt…

Next up--THE PANELS…
Cool Matt.

Great progress.
 

Attachments

#3 ·
Why a PDR? First steps...

Why a Puddle Duck Racer (aka A PDR or PD Racer)? Check out this great resource on the pdr site: http://www.pdracer.com/site-map.php

A few weeks ago I made a big decision…to put my Weekender Sailboat (see blog on 1st sail boat here: http://lumberjocks.com/matt1970/blog/14831 ) on TEMPORARY HIATUS to build a PDR. My Weekender build has gone well overall considering that I have never built a boat…and I am learning a lot…but I find myself going on and off the build for months at a time. This summer I got a lot done…but then once again the coming of school put me on hold with all the duties of teaching consuming me…with the time off it got me back to thinking how badly I just wanted to get out and sail.

Over the summer I met a gentleman who was getting ready to launch a little sailboat he built himself…we talked for quite a while and he said that his little boat was his 15th boat and how he loved staying small so that he could get out on the water quick and easy. I was excited by his enthusiasm…and the knowledge of the Stevenson Weekender being known for an easy build for beginners (within reason) and easy to launch quickly…

But watching him launch his little boat and seeing him scoot across the water on the Napa River which is 5 minutes from my house got me thinking about how it would be nice to be able to sail sooner…and with a tiny boat to be able to run right over and launch right after work…also the napa river is perfect for this size boat…where as my Weekender I would have to go down closer to Vallejo to be able to sail comfortably…or further during my learning phase to a lake…

So as school started and I wasn't finding the time to build…i was finding the time to look around on the internet…I found the PDRACER.com site…and just like when I found the Stevenson website a couple years ago I started looking at builder photo after photo…this site really did talk about a 2 week build…

Well it has been a couple weeks…and I am really enjoying the build…with a small boat the progress is HUGE…and with all I have learned on the Weekender I am putting to good use on the PDR. Tonight I clamped down the boat bottom--so that the ply can bend…and tomorrow I will officially glue it down--so I will have a completed hull in 3 weeks…and I may be able to row this thing in a week--but with spars and sail a few more weeks…

This is a boat that would be great for anyone…

Here is the link to the site where I learned a lot: http://www.pdracer.com/site-map.php

Photos below:
Below-(A): This is the outline of the hull. What makes this "box" boat a PDR is the first ten inches in the class rules…above 10 inches your boat may change…some people go crazy and put little cabins…again…you must stay with this hull shape to be a PDR…

Rectangle Font Parallel Circle Paper


(B): First you take 1/4" ply sheets and cut 16" wide panels (you need 4)-Hannah is starting to draw "station lines".

Table Wood Building Shade Engineering


(C) From the station lines you mark off points and attach nails…then a bendable piece to loft/draw curves onto the first panel.

Table Wood Market Human settlement T-shirt


(D): Next the 4 panels are cut out…two will be the outside edge of the boat…and the other two will be 7" inside to act as more support, a bench top--but most importantly will form an air box along each side of the boat…some people put the air boxes on each end…but my research showed me that the side air boxes are the safest…

Cabinetry Wood Wood stain Drawer Table


(E): With the 4 panels all cut I clamped them together and faired their edge to be the same…some people cut all 4 panels together at once…I chose to do each one separately.

Table Wood Tool Wood stain Workbench


Table Wood Hardwood Flooring Engineering


ANd to my Weekender fans--DONT WORRY…I am excited again…and want to get out and build…and I am super fortunate that my wife is supporting me…she gets the logic--built this one quick…and then sail it to learn on…and then when the weekender is done…I will have some more sailing under my belt…

Next up--THE PANELS…
My goal is THREE blog entries tonight to catch you all up on weeks 1-3…
 

Attachments

#4 ·
Why a PDR? First steps...

Why a Puddle Duck Racer (aka A PDR or PD Racer)? Check out this great resource on the pdr site: http://www.pdracer.com/site-map.php

A few weeks ago I made a big decision…to put my Weekender Sailboat (see blog on 1st sail boat here: http://lumberjocks.com/matt1970/blog/14831 ) on TEMPORARY HIATUS to build a PDR. My Weekender build has gone well overall considering that I have never built a boat…and I am learning a lot…but I find myself going on and off the build for months at a time. This summer I got a lot done…but then once again the coming of school put me on hold with all the duties of teaching consuming me…with the time off it got me back to thinking how badly I just wanted to get out and sail.

Over the summer I met a gentleman who was getting ready to launch a little sailboat he built himself…we talked for quite a while and he said that his little boat was his 15th boat and how he loved staying small so that he could get out on the water quick and easy. I was excited by his enthusiasm…and the knowledge of the Stevenson Weekender being known for an easy build for beginners (within reason) and easy to launch quickly…

But watching him launch his little boat and seeing him scoot across the water on the Napa River which is 5 minutes from my house got me thinking about how it would be nice to be able to sail sooner…and with a tiny boat to be able to run right over and launch right after work…also the napa river is perfect for this size boat…where as my Weekender I would have to go down closer to Vallejo to be able to sail comfortably…or further during my learning phase to a lake…

So as school started and I wasn't finding the time to build…i was finding the time to look around on the internet…I found the PDRACER.com site…and just like when I found the Stevenson website a couple years ago I started looking at builder photo after photo…this site really did talk about a 2 week build…

Well it has been a couple weeks…and I am really enjoying the build…with a small boat the progress is HUGE…and with all I have learned on the Weekender I am putting to good use on the PDR. Tonight I clamped down the boat bottom--so that the ply can bend…and tomorrow I will officially glue it down--so I will have a completed hull in 3 weeks…and I may be able to row this thing in a week--but with spars and sail a few more weeks…

This is a boat that would be great for anyone…

Here is the link to the site where I learned a lot: http://www.pdracer.com/site-map.php

Photos below:
Below-(A): This is the outline of the hull. What makes this "box" boat a PDR is the first ten inches in the class rules…above 10 inches your boat may change…some people go crazy and put little cabins…again…you must stay with this hull shape to be a PDR…

Rectangle Font Parallel Circle Paper


(B): First you take 1/4" ply sheets and cut 16" wide panels (you need 4)-Hannah is starting to draw "station lines".

Table Wood Building Shade Engineering


(C) From the station lines you mark off points and attach nails…then a bendable piece to loft/draw curves onto the first panel.

Table Wood Market Human settlement T-shirt


(D): Next the 4 panels are cut out…two will be the outside edge of the boat…and the other two will be 7" inside to act as more support, a bench top--but most importantly will form an air box along each side of the boat…some people put the air boxes on each end…but my research showed me that the side air boxes are the safest…

Cabinetry Wood Wood stain Drawer Table


(E): With the 4 panels all cut I clamped them together and faired their edge to be the same…some people cut all 4 panels together at once…I chose to do each one separately.

Table Wood Tool Wood stain Workbench


Table Wood Hardwood Flooring Engineering


ANd to my Weekender fans--DONT WORRY…I am excited again…and want to get out and build…and I am super fortunate that my wife is supporting me…she gets the logic--built this one quick…and then sail it to learn on…and then when the weekender is done…I will have some more sailing under my belt…

Next up--THE PANELS…
I am going to the next blog…
 

Attachments

#5 ·
Why a PDR? First steps...

Why a Puddle Duck Racer (aka A PDR or PD Racer)? Check out this great resource on the pdr site: http://www.pdracer.com/site-map.php

A few weeks ago I made a big decision…to put my Weekender Sailboat (see blog on 1st sail boat here: http://lumberjocks.com/matt1970/blog/14831 ) on TEMPORARY HIATUS to build a PDR. My Weekender build has gone well overall considering that I have never built a boat…and I am learning a lot…but I find myself going on and off the build for months at a time. This summer I got a lot done…but then once again the coming of school put me on hold with all the duties of teaching consuming me…with the time off it got me back to thinking how badly I just wanted to get out and sail.

Over the summer I met a gentleman who was getting ready to launch a little sailboat he built himself…we talked for quite a while and he said that his little boat was his 15th boat and how he loved staying small so that he could get out on the water quick and easy. I was excited by his enthusiasm…and the knowledge of the Stevenson Weekender being known for an easy build for beginners (within reason) and easy to launch quickly…

But watching him launch his little boat and seeing him scoot across the water on the Napa River which is 5 minutes from my house got me thinking about how it would be nice to be able to sail sooner…and with a tiny boat to be able to run right over and launch right after work…also the napa river is perfect for this size boat…where as my Weekender I would have to go down closer to Vallejo to be able to sail comfortably…or further during my learning phase to a lake…

So as school started and I wasn't finding the time to build…i was finding the time to look around on the internet…I found the PDRACER.com site…and just like when I found the Stevenson website a couple years ago I started looking at builder photo after photo…this site really did talk about a 2 week build…

Well it has been a couple weeks…and I am really enjoying the build…with a small boat the progress is HUGE…and with all I have learned on the Weekender I am putting to good use on the PDR. Tonight I clamped down the boat bottom--so that the ply can bend…and tomorrow I will officially glue it down--so I will have a completed hull in 3 weeks…and I may be able to row this thing in a week--but with spars and sail a few more weeks…

This is a boat that would be great for anyone…

Here is the link to the site where I learned a lot: http://www.pdracer.com/site-map.php

Photos below:
Below-(A): This is the outline of the hull. What makes this "box" boat a PDR is the first ten inches in the class rules…above 10 inches your boat may change…some people go crazy and put little cabins…again…you must stay with this hull shape to be a PDR…

Rectangle Font Parallel Circle Paper


(B): First you take 1/4" ply sheets and cut 16" wide panels (you need 4)-Hannah is starting to draw "station lines".

Table Wood Building Shade Engineering


(C) From the station lines you mark off points and attach nails…then a bendable piece to loft/draw curves onto the first panel.

Table Wood Market Human settlement T-shirt


(D): Next the 4 panels are cut out…two will be the outside edge of the boat…and the other two will be 7" inside to act as more support, a bench top--but most importantly will form an air box along each side of the boat…some people put the air boxes on each end…but my research showed me that the side air boxes are the safest…

Cabinetry Wood Wood stain Drawer Table


(E): With the 4 panels all cut I clamped them together and faired their edge to be the same…some people cut all 4 panels together at once…I chose to do each one separately.

Table Wood Tool Wood stain Workbench


Table Wood Hardwood Flooring Engineering


ANd to my Weekender fans--DONT WORRY…I am excited again…and want to get out and build…and I am super fortunate that my wife is supporting me…she gets the logic--built this one quick…and then sail it to learn on…and then when the weekender is done…I will have some more sailing under my belt…

Next up--THE PANELS…
Nice Job!

See you have the entire crew helping you!!
 

Attachments

#6 ·
Why a PDR? First steps...

Why a Puddle Duck Racer (aka A PDR or PD Racer)? Check out this great resource on the pdr site: http://www.pdracer.com/site-map.php

A few weeks ago I made a big decision…to put my Weekender Sailboat (see blog on 1st sail boat here: http://lumberjocks.com/matt1970/blog/14831 ) on TEMPORARY HIATUS to build a PDR. My Weekender build has gone well overall considering that I have never built a boat…and I am learning a lot…but I find myself going on and off the build for months at a time. This summer I got a lot done…but then once again the coming of school put me on hold with all the duties of teaching consuming me…with the time off it got me back to thinking how badly I just wanted to get out and sail.

Over the summer I met a gentleman who was getting ready to launch a little sailboat he built himself…we talked for quite a while and he said that his little boat was his 15th boat and how he loved staying small so that he could get out on the water quick and easy. I was excited by his enthusiasm…and the knowledge of the Stevenson Weekender being known for an easy build for beginners (within reason) and easy to launch quickly…

But watching him launch his little boat and seeing him scoot across the water on the Napa River which is 5 minutes from my house got me thinking about how it would be nice to be able to sail sooner…and with a tiny boat to be able to run right over and launch right after work…also the napa river is perfect for this size boat…where as my Weekender I would have to go down closer to Vallejo to be able to sail comfortably…or further during my learning phase to a lake…

So as school started and I wasn't finding the time to build…i was finding the time to look around on the internet…I found the PDRACER.com site…and just like when I found the Stevenson website a couple years ago I started looking at builder photo after photo…this site really did talk about a 2 week build…

Well it has been a couple weeks…and I am really enjoying the build…with a small boat the progress is HUGE…and with all I have learned on the Weekender I am putting to good use on the PDR. Tonight I clamped down the boat bottom--so that the ply can bend…and tomorrow I will officially glue it down--so I will have a completed hull in 3 weeks…and I may be able to row this thing in a week--but with spars and sail a few more weeks…

This is a boat that would be great for anyone…

Here is the link to the site where I learned a lot: http://www.pdracer.com/site-map.php

Photos below:
Below-(A): This is the outline of the hull. What makes this "box" boat a PDR is the first ten inches in the class rules…above 10 inches your boat may change…some people go crazy and put little cabins…again…you must stay with this hull shape to be a PDR…

Rectangle Font Parallel Circle Paper


(B): First you take 1/4" ply sheets and cut 16" wide panels (you need 4)-Hannah is starting to draw "station lines".

Table Wood Building Shade Engineering


(C) From the station lines you mark off points and attach nails…then a bendable piece to loft/draw curves onto the first panel.

Table Wood Market Human settlement T-shirt


(D): Next the 4 panels are cut out…two will be the outside edge of the boat…and the other two will be 7" inside to act as more support, a bench top--but most importantly will form an air box along each side of the boat…some people put the air boxes on each end…but my research showed me that the side air boxes are the safest…

Cabinetry Wood Wood stain Drawer Table


(E): With the 4 panels all cut I clamped them together and faired their edge to be the same…some people cut all 4 panels together at once…I chose to do each one separately.

Table Wood Tool Wood stain Workbench


Table Wood Hardwood Flooring Engineering


ANd to my Weekender fans--DONT WORRY…I am excited again…and want to get out and build…and I am super fortunate that my wife is supporting me…she gets the logic--built this one quick…and then sail it to learn on…and then when the weekender is done…I will have some more sailing under my belt…

Next up--THE PANELS…
Great progress, Matt.
 

Attachments

#7 ·
Why a PDR? First steps...

Why a Puddle Duck Racer (aka A PDR or PD Racer)? Check out this great resource on the pdr site: http://www.pdracer.com/site-map.php

A few weeks ago I made a big decision…to put my Weekender Sailboat (see blog on 1st sail boat here: http://lumberjocks.com/matt1970/blog/14831 ) on TEMPORARY HIATUS to build a PDR. My Weekender build has gone well overall considering that I have never built a boat…and I am learning a lot…but I find myself going on and off the build for months at a time. This summer I got a lot done…but then once again the coming of school put me on hold with all the duties of teaching consuming me…with the time off it got me back to thinking how badly I just wanted to get out and sail.

Over the summer I met a gentleman who was getting ready to launch a little sailboat he built himself…we talked for quite a while and he said that his little boat was his 15th boat and how he loved staying small so that he could get out on the water quick and easy. I was excited by his enthusiasm…and the knowledge of the Stevenson Weekender being known for an easy build for beginners (within reason) and easy to launch quickly…

But watching him launch his little boat and seeing him scoot across the water on the Napa River which is 5 minutes from my house got me thinking about how it would be nice to be able to sail sooner…and with a tiny boat to be able to run right over and launch right after work…also the napa river is perfect for this size boat…where as my Weekender I would have to go down closer to Vallejo to be able to sail comfortably…or further during my learning phase to a lake…

So as school started and I wasn't finding the time to build…i was finding the time to look around on the internet…I found the PDRACER.com site…and just like when I found the Stevenson website a couple years ago I started looking at builder photo after photo…this site really did talk about a 2 week build…

Well it has been a couple weeks…and I am really enjoying the build…with a small boat the progress is HUGE…and with all I have learned on the Weekender I am putting to good use on the PDR. Tonight I clamped down the boat bottom--so that the ply can bend…and tomorrow I will officially glue it down--so I will have a completed hull in 3 weeks…and I may be able to row this thing in a week--but with spars and sail a few more weeks…

This is a boat that would be great for anyone…

Here is the link to the site where I learned a lot: http://www.pdracer.com/site-map.php

Photos below:
Below-(A): This is the outline of the hull. What makes this "box" boat a PDR is the first ten inches in the class rules…above 10 inches your boat may change…some people go crazy and put little cabins…again…you must stay with this hull shape to be a PDR…

Rectangle Font Parallel Circle Paper


(B): First you take 1/4" ply sheets and cut 16" wide panels (you need 4)-Hannah is starting to draw "station lines".

Table Wood Building Shade Engineering


(C) From the station lines you mark off points and attach nails…then a bendable piece to loft/draw curves onto the first panel.

Table Wood Market Human settlement T-shirt


(D): Next the 4 panels are cut out…two will be the outside edge of the boat…and the other two will be 7" inside to act as more support, a bench top--but most importantly will form an air box along each side of the boat…some people put the air boxes on each end…but my research showed me that the side air boxes are the safest…

Cabinetry Wood Wood stain Drawer Table


(E): With the 4 panels all cut I clamped them together and faired their edge to be the same…some people cut all 4 panels together at once…I chose to do each one separately.

Table Wood Tool Wood stain Workbench


Table Wood Hardwood Flooring Engineering


ANd to my Weekender fans--DONT WORRY…I am excited again…and want to get out and build…and I am super fortunate that my wife is supporting me…she gets the logic--built this one quick…and then sail it to learn on…and then when the weekender is done…I will have some more sailing under my belt…

Next up--THE PANELS…
Nice story behind this, Matt.

You've got a great helper.

Lee
 

Attachments

#8 ·
Why a PDR? First steps...

Why a Puddle Duck Racer (aka A PDR or PD Racer)? Check out this great resource on the pdr site: http://www.pdracer.com/site-map.php

A few weeks ago I made a big decision…to put my Weekender Sailboat (see blog on 1st sail boat here: http://lumberjocks.com/matt1970/blog/14831 ) on TEMPORARY HIATUS to build a PDR. My Weekender build has gone well overall considering that I have never built a boat…and I am learning a lot…but I find myself going on and off the build for months at a time. This summer I got a lot done…but then once again the coming of school put me on hold with all the duties of teaching consuming me…with the time off it got me back to thinking how badly I just wanted to get out and sail.

Over the summer I met a gentleman who was getting ready to launch a little sailboat he built himself…we talked for quite a while and he said that his little boat was his 15th boat and how he loved staying small so that he could get out on the water quick and easy. I was excited by his enthusiasm…and the knowledge of the Stevenson Weekender being known for an easy build for beginners (within reason) and easy to launch quickly…

But watching him launch his little boat and seeing him scoot across the water on the Napa River which is 5 minutes from my house got me thinking about how it would be nice to be able to sail sooner…and with a tiny boat to be able to run right over and launch right after work…also the napa river is perfect for this size boat…where as my Weekender I would have to go down closer to Vallejo to be able to sail comfortably…or further during my learning phase to a lake…

So as school started and I wasn't finding the time to build…i was finding the time to look around on the internet…I found the PDRACER.com site…and just like when I found the Stevenson website a couple years ago I started looking at builder photo after photo…this site really did talk about a 2 week build…

Well it has been a couple weeks…and I am really enjoying the build…with a small boat the progress is HUGE…and with all I have learned on the Weekender I am putting to good use on the PDR. Tonight I clamped down the boat bottom--so that the ply can bend…and tomorrow I will officially glue it down--so I will have a completed hull in 3 weeks…and I may be able to row this thing in a week--but with spars and sail a few more weeks…

This is a boat that would be great for anyone…

Here is the link to the site where I learned a lot: http://www.pdracer.com/site-map.php

Photos below:
Below-(A): This is the outline of the hull. What makes this "box" boat a PDR is the first ten inches in the class rules…above 10 inches your boat may change…some people go crazy and put little cabins…again…you must stay with this hull shape to be a PDR…

Rectangle Font Parallel Circle Paper


(B): First you take 1/4" ply sheets and cut 16" wide panels (you need 4)-Hannah is starting to draw "station lines".

Table Wood Building Shade Engineering


(C) From the station lines you mark off points and attach nails…then a bendable piece to loft/draw curves onto the first panel.

Table Wood Market Human settlement T-shirt


(D): Next the 4 panels are cut out…two will be the outside edge of the boat…and the other two will be 7" inside to act as more support, a bench top--but most importantly will form an air box along each side of the boat…some people put the air boxes on each end…but my research showed me that the side air boxes are the safest…

Cabinetry Wood Wood stain Drawer Table


(E): With the 4 panels all cut I clamped them together and faired their edge to be the same…some people cut all 4 panels together at once…I chose to do each one separately.

Table Wood Tool Wood stain Workbench


Table Wood Hardwood Flooring Engineering


ANd to my Weekender fans--DONT WORRY…I am excited again…and want to get out and build…and I am super fortunate that my wife is supporting me…she gets the logic--built this one quick…and then sail it to learn on…and then when the weekender is done…I will have some more sailing under my belt…

Next up--THE PANELS…
AHHHHGGGGGG, it was easier to resist the Weekender as it sounds like a pretty large build but now you've come up with this super interesting project!!! Do I dare check out the website?!?
 

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#9 ·
Sides to Panels...week 1 continues...

The next steps on my PDR took me about a week…I took the 4 sides sheets and added stringers…

Since the sheets are only 1/4" you need a wider edge in order to attach the boat bottom, and decks…

In photo (A): you can see the first panel with I did after school one day before the weather got wet a few weeks ago…the leading edge the panel is where the bow or front of the boat will attach…

Table Wood Plant Outdoor furniture Wood stain


In photo (B): once I had the first panel done I decided to cut all the pieces for the next three pieces all together…which was much faster…you can see the stacks of pieces together…I glued one up a day over the next week…

Table Wood Workbench Flooring Wood stain


In photo©: with panels 2-4 I used straight pieces which I then just trimmed the over hang with the circular saw.

Table Wood Hardwood Desk Wood stain


Automotive tire Hood Tire Wood Tread


Photo (D): then I stacked the panels together again (now with all stringers) and faired the edges again.

Wood Lumber Wheel Hardwood Event


Photo (E): I cut out a notch for the stern cross piece…I may change this once the boat is flipped by making it wider…the cross/supports on the boat bottom are with 2X4 material and are much stiffer…

Furniture Table Wood Rectangle Outdoor furniture


Photo (F): With four completed panels I was feeling good…so I made some spacer blocks and clamped up the panels. PLEASE NOTE--the area I am sitting is NOT the width of the cockpit…its much wider.

Wood Rectangle Outdoor furniture Natural material Bench


Wood Tradesman Saw Flooring Floor


Photo (G): Now I wanted to feel the actual boat size…so I put the cross piece in and attached the "bow" and "stern" panels on with clamps--this is the boat UPSIDE DOWN…

Table Wood Hardwood Wood stain Flooring


Asphalt Road surface Wood Composite material Gas


Wood Road surface Asphalt Flooring Floor


Next up…GOING 3D in WEEK 3….
 

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#10 ·
Sides to Panels...week 1 continues...

The next steps on my PDR took me about a week…I took the 4 sides sheets and added stringers…

Since the sheets are only 1/4" you need a wider edge in order to attach the boat bottom, and decks…

In photo (A): you can see the first panel with I did after school one day before the weather got wet a few weeks ago…the leading edge the panel is where the bow or front of the boat will attach…

Table Wood Plant Outdoor furniture Wood stain


In photo (B): once I had the first panel done I decided to cut all the pieces for the next three pieces all together…which was much faster…you can see the stacks of pieces together…I glued one up a day over the next week…

Table Wood Workbench Flooring Wood stain


In photo©: with panels 2-4 I used straight pieces which I then just trimmed the over hang with the circular saw.

Table Wood Hardwood Desk Wood stain


Automotive tire Hood Tire Wood Tread


Photo (D): then I stacked the panels together again (now with all stringers) and faired the edges again.

Wood Lumber Wheel Hardwood Event


Photo (E): I cut out a notch for the stern cross piece…I may change this once the boat is flipped by making it wider…the cross/supports on the boat bottom are with 2X4 material and are much stiffer…

Furniture Table Wood Rectangle Outdoor furniture


Photo (F): With four completed panels I was feeling good…so I made some spacer blocks and clamped up the panels. PLEASE NOTE--the area I am sitting is NOT the width of the cockpit…its much wider.

Wood Rectangle Outdoor furniture Natural material Bench


Wood Tradesman Saw Flooring Floor


Photo (G): Now I wanted to feel the actual boat size…so I put the cross piece in and attached the "bow" and "stern" panels on with clamps--this is the boat UPSIDE DOWN…

Table Wood Hardwood Wood stain Flooring


Asphalt Road surface Wood Composite material Gas


Wood Road surface Asphalt Flooring Floor


Next up…GOING 3D in WEEK 3….
Very nice. Coming along great.
 

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#16 ·
Week 3---GOING THREE DEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok…this week is not over…but I am super happy to say that in 3+ weeks of work I am now three d…it took me a year to get there on my Weekender…so I am really enjoying a project that goes fast…and feels so manageable…

(A)The first step to going three d was the framing pieces that connect the panels. The first piece I made did not work…I was going to put this piece in…and then another two small spacers (one in each air box). I quickly realized two things. One…how the heck would I screw in the spacers with the other pieces in…but more importantly I wanted a stiffer piece to go all the way across…

Wheel Tire Automotive design Wood Floor


(B) Here is the 2Ă—4 piece that goes all the way across and I like a lot better. (Notice the transom of the BIG sail boat in the back ground).

Wood Rectangle Wood stain Flooring Floor


Wood Table Wood stain Hardwood Flooring


(C) I did this in the back too…one piece that goes all the way across…

Wood Plank Hardwood Bench Wood stain


(D) I had to patch a little spot…used this scrap that I trimmed and sanded flush this morning.

Wood Natural material Floor Flooring Wood stain


(E) I added more spacer blocks to stiffen up the panels…

Wood Vehicle Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies Composite material Lumber


This morning I trimmed and sanded down all the edges…and then we laid the 3/8 bottom panel on…the plans call for using 1/4" but in the research many builders went with a thicker panel on the bottom and I thought I should too….

Because it was thicker it needed time to bend and flex…so it is not sitting over night all clamped on…and tomorrow morning we will try to glue it on…then I will have a HULL in THREE WEEKS…it will stiffen up over Thanksgiving and I will flip it over on Saturday…I will add a picture tomorrow if we are successful with the boat bottom….
 

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#17 ·
Week 3---GOING THREE DEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok…this week is not over…but I am super happy to say that in 3+ weeks of work I am now three d…it took me a year to get there on my Weekender…so I am really enjoying a project that goes fast…and feels so manageable…

(A)The first step to going three d was the framing pieces that connect the panels. The first piece I made did not work…I was going to put this piece in…and then another two small spacers (one in each air box). I quickly realized two things. One…how the heck would I screw in the spacers with the other pieces in…but more importantly I wanted a stiffer piece to go all the way across…

Wheel Tire Automotive design Wood Floor


(B) Here is the 2Ă—4 piece that goes all the way across and I like a lot better. (Notice the transom of the BIG sail boat in the back ground).

Wood Rectangle Wood stain Flooring Floor


Wood Table Wood stain Hardwood Flooring


(C) I did this in the back too…one piece that goes all the way across…

Wood Plank Hardwood Bench Wood stain


(D) I had to patch a little spot…used this scrap that I trimmed and sanded flush this morning.

Wood Natural material Floor Flooring Wood stain


(E) I added more spacer blocks to stiffen up the panels…

Wood Vehicle Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies Composite material Lumber


This morning I trimmed and sanded down all the edges…and then we laid the 3/8 bottom panel on…the plans call for using 1/4" but in the research many builders went with a thicker panel on the bottom and I thought I should too….

Because it was thicker it needed time to bend and flex…so it is not sitting over night all clamped on…and tomorrow morning we will try to glue it on…then I will have a HULL in THREE WEEKS…it will stiffen up over Thanksgiving and I will flip it over on Saturday…I will add a picture tomorrow if we are successful with the boat bottom….
Again. Nice additions to the plans.
 

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#24 ·
Bottom's UP!

Well I was feeling a little guilty about a 4th blog in less then 24 hours…but then I checked my e-mail and had 12 new project posts from Lazy Larry (Degoose)...

So here it is…THE BOTTOM is glued and screwed…and went pretty well…Sarah helped me which made it all possible…

First I had to let the bottom bend over night…the ends had the toughest time flexing all the way down…so I was a bit worried the bow end would not go down…

Then I realized that if we set a bunch of clamps closed…and then screwed it down.,..we could just keep moving the clamps and that's what we did…and it worked pretty well…

(A) Here is the boat after a night of the bottom ply (3/8") being clamped down…
Naval architecture Wood Vehicle Composite material Automotive exterior


(B) You can see that the bow would be hard to clamp with the angle the clamps (we ended up doing it last with the stern and sides all screw down…then SARAH the hero sat on it…since she is so light I had to also stick my knee down.
Wood Naval architecture Composite material Gas Automotive exterior


(C) Before taking the clamps off I drew the lines on…so that I would know where to screw along the inner panels. The outside panels would be no problem…it worked well since I could not see any screws poking through…
Wood Road surface Flooring Asphalt Floor


(D) And there she is…all screwed down…with epoxy…we had good squeeze out (not too much and not too little) outside and inside so I am pleased…NOTICE the extra ply along the bow edge-this will be trimmed back to allow for the bow panel after the epoxy sets…
Wood Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies Composite material Hardwood Plywood


(E) This is looking underneath the boat--it looks like it sealed really well…and inside one of the airboxes…its amazing how firm she feels after the bottom was on…AND YES PAUL--I went along the outside edge to scrap off the extra epoxy.I didn't climb underneath to do the inside though…
Wood Floor Wall Composite material Flooring


Wood Building Ceiling Symmetry Flooring


Well…that is it for a couple days as we head out of town…but in three weeks I have come pretty far…and looking forward to finishing the hull this weekend…who knows…by the following weekend I may have a finished boat!!!
 

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#25 ·
Bottom's UP!

Well I was feeling a little guilty about a 4th blog in less then 24 hours…but then I checked my e-mail and had 12 new project posts from Lazy Larry (Degoose)...

So here it is…THE BOTTOM is glued and screwed…and went pretty well…Sarah helped me which made it all possible…

First I had to let the bottom bend over night…the ends had the toughest time flexing all the way down…so I was a bit worried the bow end would not go down…

Then I realized that if we set a bunch of clamps closed…and then screwed it down.,..we could just keep moving the clamps and that's what we did…and it worked pretty well…

(A) Here is the boat after a night of the bottom ply (3/8") being clamped down…
Naval architecture Wood Vehicle Composite material Automotive exterior


(B) You can see that the bow would be hard to clamp with the angle the clamps (we ended up doing it last with the stern and sides all screw down…then SARAH the hero sat on it…since she is so light I had to also stick my knee down.
Wood Naval architecture Composite material Gas Automotive exterior


(C) Before taking the clamps off I drew the lines on…so that I would know where to screw along the inner panels. The outside panels would be no problem…it worked well since I could not see any screws poking through…
Wood Road surface Flooring Asphalt Floor


(D) And there she is…all screwed down…with epoxy…we had good squeeze out (not too much and not too little) outside and inside so I am pleased…NOTICE the extra ply along the bow edge-this will be trimmed back to allow for the bow panel after the epoxy sets…
Wood Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies Composite material Hardwood Plywood


(E) This is looking underneath the boat--it looks like it sealed really well…and inside one of the airboxes…its amazing how firm she feels after the bottom was on…AND YES PAUL--I went along the outside edge to scrap off the extra epoxy.I didn't climb underneath to do the inside though…
Wood Floor Wall Composite material Flooring


Wood Building Ceiling Symmetry Flooring


Well…that is it for a couple days as we head out of town…but in three weeks I have come pretty far…and looking forward to finishing the hull this weekend…who knows…by the following weekend I may have a finished boat!!!
Coming along very nicely, Matt!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

Lew
 

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#37 ·
Hull is COMPLETE!

Well after a busy first 3 weeks in the build I had a slow two weeks since Thanksgiving weekend ended…

But today--I finished off the hull by putting on the bow and transom pieces (boat ends). Seemed to take me forever but its done…and now once the epoxy firms up I will start working inside the boat…with only one more week of school….WOOT I cant wait!

This is the finished shot…you can see my other sail boat build in the back…
Wood Vehicle Hardwood Gas Lumber


Tire Wheel Wood Automotive exterior Vehicle


Brown Wood Flooring Wood stain Floor


Wood Wood stain Rectangle Hardwood Table


This last shot is a bonus shot for my brother to remind him that Santa Claus IS coming to town soon…
Christmas tree Smile Hairstyle Christmas ornament Beard


Next steps: trim the bow, trim a few other spots…cut port holes in the air boxes, add the bench and deck pieces…then the lots of sanding…and add the mast "box"...actually before I close in the air boxes I will seal them and maybe paint them…

Do i need to paint INSIDE the airboxes? Or just coat in clear epoxy?

Okay…gotta go…let me know what you think…by the way--she is looking like a tank…

Matt
 

Attachments

#38 ·
Hull is COMPLETE!

Well after a busy first 3 weeks in the build I had a slow two weeks since Thanksgiving weekend ended…

But today--I finished off the hull by putting on the bow and transom pieces (boat ends). Seemed to take me forever but its done…and now once the epoxy firms up I will start working inside the boat…with only one more week of school….WOOT I cant wait!

This is the finished shot…you can see my other sail boat build in the back…
Wood Vehicle Hardwood Gas Lumber


Tire Wheel Wood Automotive exterior Vehicle


Brown Wood Flooring Wood stain Floor


Wood Wood stain Rectangle Hardwood Table


This last shot is a bonus shot for my brother to remind him that Santa Claus IS coming to town soon…
Christmas tree Smile Hairstyle Christmas ornament Beard


Next steps: trim the bow, trim a few other spots…cut port holes in the air boxes, add the bench and deck pieces…then the lots of sanding…and add the mast "box"...actually before I close in the air boxes I will seal them and maybe paint them…

Do i need to paint INSIDE the airboxes? Or just coat in clear epoxy?

Okay…gotta go…let me know what you think…by the way--she is looking like a tank…

Matt
Oh my god where did the beard come from… I just shaved mine off…
as to the puddle duck… coming along very nicely…
 

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#54 ·
Sailing Rigs?

Would love some thoughts and feedback on which sailing rig to use…

The pdr.com website has a nice section on it…but basically gives ideas for many…

The plans I am following call for a sunfish sail set…making the spars and rig…

I am leaning to following the plans…just because I will have all the details to follow…even though the pdr website describes many options--there are no "exact" instructions…

SORRY no new photos….but I can tell you since my last Weekender (my other sail boat build) blog I have worked nearly every weekend on one or both boats even if a little bit…and I am making progress…which is why I am getting ready to think about rigs…

So here is what I have done on the pdr: lots of sanding and hole filling, air box divider, air box deck plate holes cut and perected (dry fit deck plates), clear epoxy inside air boxes…cut deck pieces, stern and bow pieces.

NEXT UP: glassing bottom, mast step, mast (and spars), deck plate final glue in, deck, stern and bow…make sail, PAINT…BAM…some of these jobs will take 20 minutes…some longer…so I think I will get pretty far with a three day weekend coming up…

STAY TUNED…PHOTOS coming…
 
#70 ·
Sidetracked--like her name????

Well…finally some pictures for all of you…and I decided to honor my good friend WARREN PERCELL by naming my PDR "SIDETRACKED"...

Sidetracked is my new boats name--since this little boat has sidetracked me from my bigger sail boat build (Weekender Sailboat).

Since my last update I have only had weekends--but other then traveling last weekend I have worked at least a little bit on the boat (s) each weekend…little things…LOTS of filling and sanding…

Today I "applied" for the hull registration number on the pdracer.com website and ordered my HIN plate (hull identification number). Pretty exciting!

I worked a lot on the PDR this weekend..my goal was to get her ready for two things--fiber glass on the bottom and sails…I got close…

I filled all the screw holes and smoothed them last week…and then started on covering the airboxes (decks) and bow…I also cut out the airboxes to fit in the deck plates…

Still to come--spars, glass bottom, mast step and sails…PAINT…my goal will be to do some fairing (smoothing) the boat bottom during the week so that I can glass the boat bottom next weekend…

Wood Wood stain Rectangle Hardwood Plank


Brown Wood Floor Rectangle Wood stain


Rectangle Wood Table Flooring Floor


Above the decks are fit but not trimmed…below shows them all nice and trim…

Wood Rectangle Beige Floor Wood stain


Rectangle Wood Flooring Beige Floor
 

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#71 ·
Sidetracked--like her name????

Well…finally some pictures for all of you…and I decided to honor my good friend WARREN PERCELL by naming my PDR "SIDETRACKED"...

Sidetracked is my new boats name--since this little boat has sidetracked me from my bigger sail boat build (Weekender Sailboat).

Since my last update I have only had weekends--but other then traveling last weekend I have worked at least a little bit on the boat (s) each weekend…little things…LOTS of filling and sanding…

Today I "applied" for the hull registration number on the pdracer.com website and ordered my HIN plate (hull identification number). Pretty exciting!

I worked a lot on the PDR this weekend..my goal was to get her ready for two things--fiber glass on the bottom and sails…I got close…

I filled all the screw holes and smoothed them last week…and then started on covering the airboxes (decks) and bow…I also cut out the airboxes to fit in the deck plates…

Still to come--spars, glass bottom, mast step and sails…PAINT…my goal will be to do some fairing (smoothing) the boat bottom during the week so that I can glass the boat bottom next weekend…

Wood Wood stain Rectangle Hardwood Plank


Brown Wood Floor Rectangle Wood stain


Rectangle Wood Table Flooring Floor


Above the decks are fit but not trimmed…below shows them all nice and trim…

Wood Rectangle Beige Floor Wood stain


Rectangle Wood Flooring Beige Floor
Matt,
The only "boat" I'm familiar with is an aircraft carrier but this looks like it is going to be fun to sail!
 

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#86 ·
Non-update Update on both boats! (same as Weekender Blog)

Dear Friends…

I am sorry that I have not updated you…its been a tough year and I hope to get moving again. I wanted to let all of you know "where" I have been since my last update-which as of today was 298 days ago!!! Last January! Its crazy to think that I passed my 5 year LJ anniversary and I missed it completely!

I have let a few LJ's know that our life has changed immensely…I am no longer in Napa…but 500 miles to the south…Last fall we (near this time last year) we found out my mom had early stages of Alzheimers…this was not a complete surprise…but it triggered something in me…living 500 miles from where I grew up made it hard to be a good family member so I asked my wife what she thought about us leaving our home and jobs to move to southern California. She said: "I was wondering when you would ask me!" So we proposed to our family to move in with my mom if we could both find good teaching jobs.

Its not easy for anyone to walk away from TWO good jobs in this economy-but in teaching its a real no-no with the loss of tenure and seniority…its a huge risk for our entire future and this weighs on me more then anything. In fact in one interview I was called to the carpet on this-"why would you leave tenure/seniority in these economic times?" Because no one does it-it really effects mobility in our profession once you have worked a few years you are really stuck…

As the spring progressed we got pretty stressed-being parents, full time teachers, and homeowners--and now another full time job (or so it felt) looking for jobs 500 miles away and getting our house ready to rent out meant there was no time for building…

The good news…My wife Sarah was able to find a great job…the bad news is that I was not…which has really weighed on me…I have some bad days…and more often as time passes so good days over not working. In the end it means that I get more time to spend with my mom, volunteer in my kids' school, support my wife in ways I have never done (since I worked waaaaay tooo many hours). We decided that we could make it on one salary if we were super careful and rented out our house in Napa…(cant sell it now). So as long as we have a renter we will be okay…which we do for now--but not in a full year lease…so we are holding our breath…

We have now been down here for about two months…I had some good interviews, but with school having started a month ago it looks like I am out of my profession until next year…so my worry will be-how will future interviews go with a hole in my resume…

My new focus--on the good days I am proud to hang with my mom…and now that things are settling down a bit I hope to get back to woodworking…and work on the boats…I was able to bring all my tools and BOTH sail boats…and I am itching to get back to building.

My plan is to weave in house projects (which I have already worked on and completed some) and boat building…I am super anxious to FINISH the PDR-Puddle Duck Racer first since I think I can do once I start up full time again relatively soon…and then get going on the Weekender again…not to mention--I started building the PDR so that I could learn to SAIL while I finish the Weekender…lol…Newport Harbor and the Back Bay should be great places to sail both boats…

Thanks for your patience…and encouragement…which has come in personal messages from many of you…

Matt

Hair Glasses Smile Sharing Chair
 

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#87 ·
Non-update Update on both boats! (same as Weekender Blog)

Dear Friends…

I am sorry that I have not updated you…its been a tough year and I hope to get moving again. I wanted to let all of you know "where" I have been since my last update-which as of today was 298 days ago!!! Last January! Its crazy to think that I passed my 5 year LJ anniversary and I missed it completely!

I have let a few LJ's know that our life has changed immensely…I am no longer in Napa…but 500 miles to the south…Last fall we (near this time last year) we found out my mom had early stages of Alzheimers…this was not a complete surprise…but it triggered something in me…living 500 miles from where I grew up made it hard to be a good family member so I asked my wife what she thought about us leaving our home and jobs to move to southern California. She said: "I was wondering when you would ask me!" So we proposed to our family to move in with my mom if we could both find good teaching jobs.

Its not easy for anyone to walk away from TWO good jobs in this economy-but in teaching its a real no-no with the loss of tenure and seniority…its a huge risk for our entire future and this weighs on me more then anything. In fact in one interview I was called to the carpet on this-"why would you leave tenure/seniority in these economic times?" Because no one does it-it really effects mobility in our profession once you have worked a few years you are really stuck…

As the spring progressed we got pretty stressed-being parents, full time teachers, and homeowners--and now another full time job (or so it felt) looking for jobs 500 miles away and getting our house ready to rent out meant there was no time for building…

The good news…My wife Sarah was able to find a great job…the bad news is that I was not…which has really weighed on me…I have some bad days…and more often as time passes so good days over not working. In the end it means that I get more time to spend with my mom, volunteer in my kids' school, support my wife in ways I have never done (since I worked waaaaay tooo many hours). We decided that we could make it on one salary if we were super careful and rented out our house in Napa…(cant sell it now). So as long as we have a renter we will be okay…which we do for now--but not in a full year lease…so we are holding our breath…

We have now been down here for about two months…I had some good interviews, but with school having started a month ago it looks like I am out of my profession until next year…so my worry will be-how will future interviews go with a hole in my resume…

My new focus--on the good days I am proud to hang with my mom…and now that things are settling down a bit I hope to get back to woodworking…and work on the boats…I was able to bring all my tools and BOTH sail boats…and I am itching to get back to building.

My plan is to weave in house projects (which I have already worked on and completed some) and boat building…I am super anxious to FINISH the PDR-Puddle Duck Racer first since I think I can do once I start up full time again relatively soon…and then get going on the Weekender again…not to mention--I started building the PDR so that I could learn to SAIL while I finish the Weekender…lol…Newport Harbor and the Back Bay should be great places to sail both boats…

Thanks for your patience…and encouragement…which has come in personal messages from many of you…

Matt

Hair Glasses Smile Sharing Chair
bless you all in this move
to help with family

glad you got water where you are

some good work
would be nice too

and happy birthday
 

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#94 ·
I touched the PDR...

Well its hard to believe that it has been nearly a year since my last update--and this second little boat which was supposed to be a quick build so I could get on the water will nearly be 2 years into the build…embarrassing!

However…after the toughest two years of my life…TWO moves, unemployment, job changes and so on and so on…I finally got both my boats arranged on the patio this weekend.

Since we moved back to our house in Napa (where I have lots of building room) I have been focusing on many house projects and of course my new teaching job with started 6 weeks ago is killing me…but going well…the return to Napa has been a very good decision and that is what is most important.

We "buttoned up" the Weekender as tight as we could with impending rain and the realization that I should stick to the plan--finish the PDR as fast as I can and get her on the water…then re-focus on the Weekender once the PDR is done…before we left Napa the first time this was not a concern since we had this HUGE boat tent (see previous blogs) I could fit both boats and tools, picnic table etc…and so I could work on either boat…

But the boat tent is gone and we decided we dont want to get a new one…so both boats will be tarped and I will need to remove the tarps each time I work…

SO TODAY…I finally worked a LITTLE on the PDR (sorry no pictures) but it felt good to assess where I was…and to some sanding…the bottom is pretty much ready for glass…I think I am going to put a sheet of glasss on the bottom and then tape the corners…I also want to put some "runners" on the bottom…(sorry paul I cant think of the name…skegs?)...

I also need to start building the mechanicals--rudder, leeboard, mast, tiller…the hull itself is pretty much compete…and it is ready to paint inside as well…even though I did not do any updates last year I did get a chance to work on the PDR in So-Cal last year…but just no room to maneuver…so it was a pain…

I will get picts up as soon as I can…probably next weekend.

This week my goal is to study my plans and maybe work on the leeboard, and rudder assembly…

I dont want to make any predictions…but since I already have oar locks, sail, hatch covers…I could get her in the water after I close up the air boxes and have paint…even if I dont have the lee board and rudder…just to test water test…

Ok…sorry no pictures…but it fell good to uncover her and work on her a bit…

Matt
 
#108 ·
mast collar and step

Hey…3 day weekends. Finally a chance to play.

below are unglued parts…commemrs on strength before I glue them down.

on bottom is 3/4 ply base. Then the step which has a 1/4 base with 3 more 1/4 with hole. Then 2 1/2 " mast (scrap in now). At bow is two 3/4 ply sandwiching 3/4 pine bow ppiece.

thinking of putting support pieces under bow for strength…

also need thoughts on mast using leg o mutton which calls for 16 foot mast. Already have sail. 16 is long. Thinking of cutting and usimg tabernacle…easier to hoist and transport.

not sure why its upside down…using my phone. Sorry. FIXED IT…got back on the laptop and turned it…lol…

Wood Flooring Floor Wood stain Hardwood
 

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#109 ·
mast collar and step

Hey…3 day weekends. Finally a chance to play.

below are unglued parts…commemrs on strength before I glue them down.

on bottom is 3/4 ply base. Then the step which has a 1/4 base with 3 more 1/4 with hole. Then 2 1/2 " mast (scrap in now). At bow is two 3/4 ply sandwiching 3/4 pine bow ppiece.

thinking of putting support pieces under bow for strength…

also need thoughts on mast using leg o mutton which calls for 16 foot mast. Already have sail. 16 is long. Thinking of cutting and usimg tabernacle…easier to hoist and transport.

not sure why its upside down…using my phone. Sorry. FIXED IT…got back on the laptop and turned it…lol…

Wood Flooring Floor Wood stain Hardwood
good to see this on again matt
enjoy the rest of the build
and the sail too
Wood Flooring Floor Wood stain Table
 

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#119 ·
Rough construction nearly done...getting closer...

Well…vacation has its perks when it comes to the stressed out teacher…this past week I really got moving again (FINALLY) after a super tough couple of years…it felt like we were finally home for the first time in two years even though we have been home since July…

My goal was simple…get as far as I could…and change gears from perfection to--'git er done'...

I really wanted to rough out all the remaining parts for the boat and not finish any of them to perfection--just make them and fit them on the boat…with this week…I am declaring--construction DONE…but lots to finish up and do before the water…

I wish I had one more week…because I think my list of to do's could get done in another week of daily building…

First up…I finally had a chance to bring home some 16 foot boards for the mast…so the first set of picts show the boards glued up with epoxy and screwed over night.

Wood Hardwood Lumber Composite material Plywood


Second picture shows the mast after the 3rd cut…the circular saw could not get through so I have to make passes…this picture shows the 3rd pass--two passes and a cut off on the right…and then you can see the cut in the mast on the left edge after I flipped it to make the 4th pass…the last two cuts were easy because it was one pass each…the mast ends up as 2 1/4 square…I which is where it is not…I still need to round it and trim it down--on the lower 8 feet…and then from 8 feet up it will slowly taper to 1 inch (thus losing a lot of weight) to the top…

Wood Road surface Flooring Gas Hardwood


Next up was fitting the leeboard, rudder and rudder "box" which I had already made…but never had a chance to put on the boat since it was on its side in the garage…I decided to NOT shape or take any more time on these parts until I could actually fit them on the boat and make sure they would all fit and work right…so the first picts show the parts roughed out…

Wood Hardwood Wood stain Flooring Composite material


This is the leeboard re-fitted after I shaped it…just had to see it on…lol…

Plant Tree Wood Plastic bag Asphalt


One person suggested putting an old cd/dvd underneath to help with rubbing…

Dead bolt Wood Table Fixture Wood stain


Next up was the rudder and rudder "box" (on my other sailboat build its actually a box that houses the rudder--but this is just one board that connects the rudder and the tiller).

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Plywood Lumber


And then the most fun===making a tiller…actual wood working! This is made out of scrap maple pieces…
Wood Wood stain Hardwood Varnish Flooring


Wood Automotive exterior Bumper Gas Wing


Wood Comfort Hardwood Linens Flooring


Its bolted through and I can move it up and down===I need to switch to a wing nut…
Wood Natural material Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies Wood stain Hardwood


ANd finally--the SHAPED rudder and leeboards…this was interesting…used my belt sander and made lots of dust…I did use my respirator…they say you should shape it like a submarine (when view up the edge from the bottom)...one side is supposed to be knife-like and rounded on the other--mine ended up more knife-like on both sides…they still need to be worked on…
Wood Sculpture Art Creative arts Statue


Table Wood Automotive exterior Wood stain Hardwood


Wood Flooring Hardwood Gas Automotive exterior


In the last pict above you can see gate handles I put on and gate hinges being used on the rudder…going cheap…and trying to get her on the water…

OKAY…next steps--fill all the holes….sand sand sand…close up the boxes…fiber glass the bottom…finish the mast…make the boom sprit (piece that goes horrizontal for the sail) and Paint everything…lots to do still…but other then the boom sprit--most actual construction is done…

No promises…LOL…but next weekend is a three day weekend…so hopefully I will get a full day of building in…maybe 2…

Matt
 

Attachments

#120 ·
Rough construction nearly done...getting closer...

Well…vacation has its perks when it comes to the stressed out teacher…this past week I really got moving again (FINALLY) after a super tough couple of years…it felt like we were finally home for the first time in two years even though we have been home since July…

My goal was simple…get as far as I could…and change gears from perfection to--'git er done'...

I really wanted to rough out all the remaining parts for the boat and not finish any of them to perfection--just make them and fit them on the boat…with this week…I am declaring--construction DONE…but lots to finish up and do before the water…

I wish I had one more week…because I think my list of to do's could get done in another week of daily building…

First up…I finally had a chance to bring home some 16 foot boards for the mast…so the first set of picts show the boards glued up with epoxy and screwed over night.

Wood Hardwood Lumber Composite material Plywood


Second picture shows the mast after the 3rd cut…the circular saw could not get through so I have to make passes…this picture shows the 3rd pass--two passes and a cut off on the right…and then you can see the cut in the mast on the left edge after I flipped it to make the 4th pass…the last two cuts were easy because it was one pass each…the mast ends up as 2 1/4 square…I which is where it is not…I still need to round it and trim it down--on the lower 8 feet…and then from 8 feet up it will slowly taper to 1 inch (thus losing a lot of weight) to the top…

Wood Road surface Flooring Gas Hardwood


Next up was fitting the leeboard, rudder and rudder "box" which I had already made…but never had a chance to put on the boat since it was on its side in the garage…I decided to NOT shape or take any more time on these parts until I could actually fit them on the boat and make sure they would all fit and work right…so the first picts show the parts roughed out…

Wood Hardwood Wood stain Flooring Composite material


This is the leeboard re-fitted after I shaped it…just had to see it on…lol…

Plant Tree Wood Plastic bag Asphalt


One person suggested putting an old cd/dvd underneath to help with rubbing…

Dead bolt Wood Table Fixture Wood stain


Next up was the rudder and rudder "box" (on my other sailboat build its actually a box that houses the rudder--but this is just one board that connects the rudder and the tiller).

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Plywood Lumber


And then the most fun===making a tiller…actual wood working! This is made out of scrap maple pieces…
Wood Wood stain Hardwood Varnish Flooring


Wood Automotive exterior Bumper Gas Wing


Wood Comfort Hardwood Linens Flooring


Its bolted through and I can move it up and down===I need to switch to a wing nut…
Wood Natural material Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies Wood stain Hardwood


ANd finally--the SHAPED rudder and leeboards…this was interesting…used my belt sander and made lots of dust…I did use my respirator…they say you should shape it like a submarine (when view up the edge from the bottom)...one side is supposed to be knife-like and rounded on the other--mine ended up more knife-like on both sides…they still need to be worked on…
Wood Sculpture Art Creative arts Statue


Table Wood Automotive exterior Wood stain Hardwood


Wood Flooring Hardwood Gas Automotive exterior


In the last pict above you can see gate handles I put on and gate hinges being used on the rudder…going cheap…and trying to get her on the water…

OKAY…next steps--fill all the holes….sand sand sand…close up the boxes…fiber glass the bottom…finish the mast…make the boom sprit (piece that goes horrizontal for the sail) and Paint everything…lots to do still…but other then the boom sprit--most actual construction is done…

No promises…LOL…but next weekend is a three day weekend…so hopefully I will get a full day of building in…maybe 2…

Matt
Looks great! Show more when. ;0)
 

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#141 ·
PDR Dolly...and new shop!!!

Tire Wood Wheel Wood stain Gas


Wood Gas Machine Cabinetry Room


Wood Floor Building Hardwood Wood stain


Rectangle Wood Paint Wood stain Hardwood


Shelf Wood Shelving Rectangle Window


Everyday carry Red Material property Font Rectangle


Well…I was not going to post this…but since it has been so long…maybe it was time to share the good news…after a few tough years we bought a new house.. and.. there is lots of building room! My shop space doubled…and i can SEE …because my electrical works…before I ran my shop from an extension cord connected to the house 30 feet away…

This is my first woodworking in my new shop…it will allow me to easily move the PDR around. In my old shop i would slide the boat around…but now with paint I dont want to scratch her up…

As you can see the hull is completely done…also the steering gear…tiller, rudder, and i have new guddgeon and pintles ( Paul's suugestion)...
 

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#142 ·
PDR Dolly...and new shop!!!

Tire Wood Wheel Wood stain Gas


Wood Gas Machine Cabinetry Room


Wood Floor Building Hardwood Wood stain


Rectangle Wood Paint Wood stain Hardwood


Shelf Wood Shelving Rectangle Window


Everyday carry Red Material property Font Rectangle


Well…I was not going to post this…but since it has been so long…maybe it was time to share the good news…after a few tough years we bought a new house.. and.. there is lots of building room! My shop space doubled…and i can SEE …because my electrical works…before I ran my shop from an extension cord connected to the house 30 feet away…

This is my first woodworking in my new shop…it will allow me to easily move the PDR around. In my old shop i would slide the boat around…but now with paint I dont want to scratch her up…

As you can see the hull is completely done…also the steering gear…tiller, rudder, and i have new guddgeon and pintles ( Paul's suugestion)...
Sorry about the first picture….using my phone….
 

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