PDRacer Sailboat - Articles

I have a number of sets of boat plans, and they all have neatly marked out dimensions for bulkheads. Figure that after I goof and cut the wrong side of a marked line, nail the logs 1/8" off, and sand everything down, there is no way that I am going to come close to what a drawing says I should have done. So, this is the point where I figure how high my bulkhead is going to be, I measure right there where the mark is, and cut a piece of plywood to match it.

Since the PDRacer has flat sides, the sides of the bulkheads can be made with 90 degree logs, and the only log on that bulkhead that needs a bevel is the one across the bottom. I have an angle keeper tool that I use to measure what the angle should be.

Great to set the saw blade to the proper angle. I hold the end of the log up to the side and mark it so I know where I should be making the cut. Twisting the log several times over my head, I end up with the proper orientation to run thru the saw.

If you don't have a table saw, you can cut the bevels with a hand circular saw. Just hang part of the board out in the air, and start cutting into the end. When you have enough of a beveled piece, break it off and trim the end.

I have framed all the way around my bulkhead, now I am installing a couple of deckplates. Just so happens that the cover is the same dimension as the cut out hole.

I have seen the rim and lids of other containers used instead of deckplates, and on the stern bulkhead, I installed a bucket rim and lid. Some day I'll anchor out and sleep in this boat, if I take the bucket lid off, I can stick my feet in there and have enough length to lay down.

Even though I am the ever persistent neat freak, I found myself at a point with a garage crammed full of junk, and this is all the building space inside that I had at the moment. The shelter let me work on a rainy day, but don't let that fool you -- you CAN build this entire boat, even if you live in an apartment complex. Just think, you could toss an extension cord out the window and work in the parking lot, or work in the breezeway between apartments. There have been a number of guys who have built stitch and glue boats in apartments. One of them was a 23' Bolger Light Schooner named "Allison Might". That boat was transported out a window, and down 3 stories by way of a large beam on the roof used like a crane - very creative solution.

All of my parts are now finished, and the boat is ready to go 3D. Notice that the stern and bow transom only have framing logs on the bottom and top. The sides will be attached to the framing logs that are already on the sides.

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