Little Wee Nip for this X'mas2005

[BabyBoy]

OK. since I m grounded i would like to build tis Wee Nip. I will post it as I build and try to give advice along the way of what is best to do and what to avoid. Will be posting like the type of balsa thickness and the number of pieces required for each thinkness as I go along. I would like to give thanks to Stuka.... the Master Builder for his guidance along the way. Hope this would entice more sail boat builders. Pls note that I m a novice, learning the ropes from the Master (Stuka). Question are welcome as Stuka will give advice along the way.

[BabyBoy]

Here's wht i have done. Print out the plan cut-out and paste to the balsa. As the balsa is only 3 inch wide two are required to make one side.(4 piece 2.5mm).

[BabyBoy]

Sorry pic on the way... need to resize...

[stuka]

Great pretty soon there will be 2 weenips sailing side by side...how romantic..

X'mas 2005 ? dont like that leh...

[BabyBoy]

OK here's the pic. A step by step...
(4pcs 2.5mm balsa)

[BabyBoy]

Stuka... be patient lah... me cannot stay up till wee hr to do projects. else kena ban. Need to make milk, wash nappy,etc
After cutting one side as shown on the Pic. Use it as a template to draw the outline for the second side. Cut and trim to have both the same size.

[stuka]

u r a good daddy... ...time is always not enough rite? use the right tool for the right job will speed things up greatly...

[BabyBoy]

Yeah time is always not enuf for me. Heres wht I have done over the weekend. Second side of the Yatch. Im using a cheap tool. Cloth peg... Hold it with a few and then use the file to file both together. Oh by the way use the older peg hor cos not strong anymore. U do not want the peg to leave any marking on the soft balsa.

[BabyBoy]

result.... you get both the same size..

[BabyBoy]

Same procedurev for the bottom. You can use other method to transfer the drawing to the balsa. How to glue the cut out so that you wont have crisp on the paper. Spread glue onto balsa itself then paste the paper on top. Smaller plan can be done the other way round as it is easier and no crisp for smaller paper cut out.

[BabyBoy]

Completed. Err Master Stuka.... which one goes onto which? Transom CA inside or outside of side panel? Bottom to side panels? Bottom to Transom? Plan not clear? Hope you understand my Question...

[stuka]

Me no master leh....oso ti cum ti cum...

Transom sandwich between 2 side panels and bottom panel. Bottom panel sandwich between 2 side panels. Is this the answer u r looking for?

[BabyBoy]

Thanks Stuka. Well folks you have the answer.... Seems like need to trim the bottom a bit inorder to fit the Transom. Do I need fiberglass for water proofing? Can "laquer" do the job with additional paint onto it? Ur Escort destroyer dont seem to have it or did I miss it out?

[stuka]

Fibreglass is not so such for waterproofing, but reinforcing the hull. Finishing epoxy is for waterproofing. The destroyer escort project is the first time i didnt use either, instead i use a few layers of Polyurethane Wood Varnish, which people use to paint parquet floors. The varnish seals gap, hardens and makes the balsa very tough, can even walk on it. It is about 7 times less expensive then fibreglass + finishing epoxy, however, the drying time is between 4 to 6 hours, and max strength reaching only after 12 hours. It smells too, not everyone will like it. Note that varnish is not a glue, so u will still need epoxy to hold things togther, e.g. the keel trunking inside the hull.

Lacquer and paint will waterproof the hull but they dont reinforce, so the hull will b somewhat flimsy and can be twisted if u r not careful when planking the deck. I prefer to work with a strong rigid hull when planking. So, there r a few ways, the choice is yours.

[BabyBoy]

Did a dry fit yesterday. Side panels and Transom OK. Problem is the bottom dont fit.
Stuka... how you piece it together? start with the side panel and transom?