Building Overview

The first step in the process for me is to make some templates for the five frames.  I will later need to make a stem, transom, a breasthook, a transom knee, two quarter knees, mounting brackets and a skeg - all from 1/2" (12mm Okoume marine plywood.  I will also need to make a stongback that is 9' long, rubrails, thwarts (seats), floorboards and stringers.  I will also need to skin (8 oz. polyester cloth) and paint the boat.

Back to the frame templates.  The design calls out the Frame Offsets which need to be layed out.  This is my first go at this technique called Lofting so I thought it would be best to use cheap flooring.

Below you can see that I have started to draw out the frames on the plywood flooring template.  Later, I will cut the templates and re-trace them onto the Okoume marine plywood.

Why this boat ?

My wife says, "your what, building another boat...where are you going to put it".  I won't go into the conversation after that but I will tell you, why this boat.

Here are some of my thoughts: 
1.  I wanted to build something to stay busy during the winter months in Michigan.
2.  I don't have a lot of room to build because my workspace is in my basement.
3.  I did not want to spend a lot of money on something that I really did not need.
4.  I was looking for something that would challenge my skills but yet not be a long term project.
5.  Dave Gentry has a history of good designs and when I contacted him, he replied immediately and provided me with a good building guide.  He was also very willing to answer any questions that I had.
6.  The most important thing is:  It is a cool looking boat that should provide some exercise and pride of accomplishment.

Goals:
I don't really have any.  This is just fun for me, it is not a business, just something to do.  I will take my time and work on this boat in my free time.  I will not be working on it every day.  The plan is to have it done for the spring thaw.  I am sure if someone wanted to work on it every day they could build this boat in weeks instead of months.

So I will give the same answer that I give to everyone on all my projects when they ask when it will be done?  My answer is:  It will be done on Thursday, I just don't know which Thursday.  It is not the speed of the build but the journey of the build.

Oh yeah, as far as my wife goes.....she is now OK with me starting another project as long as I don't bug her when she is reading her book or watching her favorite show, make a big mess, spend a lot of money......I think.

A skin-on-frame boat designed by "Dave Gentry"

The beginning photos in this blog are used from Dave Gentry's website to give you an idea of the look and shape of this boat.  If you would like to build this boat from plans or obtain a kit for it, contact Dave Gentry.  I am building this boat because I enjoy the process and learning new things so I am attempting to build this project from a building guide that Dave provided.

The Shenandoah Whitehall is a  light (SOF) Skin-On-Frame adaptation, superb as a rowing craft, and capable as a sailer with the addition of a simple spritsail rig. She's 13' 6" long, with a beam of 47", constructed of marine ply and cedar stringers. Skinned with 8oz polyester, the rowing version weighs about 55-60lbs, with full floatation under the thwarts. She's relatively easy to carry and cartop - no trailer necessary!