Getting really close to finishing this one up and I still don’t have a name. I think I will just call it My Boat since I don’t have commercial plans for it.

Lets start with the oars, after a lot of research I decided it didn’t matter what I built them out of as long as they didn’t break and I kept them varnished. So I laminated basswood since it was easy to get and cheap. I am sure I will build another set  in the near future and once I am happy with my design I can use better wood if I find the need.

This is the second oar blank being shaped on the bench. As you can see by the pile of shavings there has been a lot of wood removed from the first one. I use hand tools and sandpaper. I know most of you reading probably thing of hand tools as old school but there is nothing better for this job! They are a joy to work with once you learn the tricks.

This is a cheap Stanley Handyman plane I picked up somewhere. I have reshaped the blade so that is it rounded and use it as a scrub plane. It leaves a rough surface but it takes a lot of material off fast. This one works great at getting it removing lots of wood and getting it down close, then I finish with the other plans that take small amounts off at a time. Yes it is slower but you have much more control and don’t suddenly find you are way past your mark. You sort of sneak up on the line.

Next it was time to fit the trim or coaming to the boat. This hides the fabric edge and will help keep water from coming in the cockpit.

All the bits and pieces dry fitted in place ready to removed and sanded.

Now we skip past all the hours of sanding and sanding and sanding some more…..  I start to apply the first coat of varnish and then see the places I should have sanding a little bit more.

Hope to start assembling all the bits and pieces some time this week and maybe take it to the water late in the week. MAYBE!