Boat Design Quarterly (BDQ) is a publication and website offering boat plans from top designers. In it, readers will find boat plans for paddle, oar, power, and sail, from well-known designers like Bolger, Chapelle, and Stephens. Continue reading
Tag Archives: #3
Strong, Elegant Estate Furniture
Cover Photo: Inspired by designs from the 1890s, this settee is built with modern techniques by Weatherend Estate Furniture in Rockland, Maine.
Weatherend® Estate Furniture has developed an innovative collection inspired by the seven original designs of Hans Heistad, a noted landscape architect. In the early 1890’s, owners of the Weatherend estate commissioned Heistad to create these special furnishings for their summer residence on the coast of Maine. Continue reading
Polyester Rots
Polyester laminates have been with us since the mid-1940s. They are bright, strong, easily molded to useful shapes, and from all appearances (and advertising) maintenance-free. Contrary to our conditioned distrust of wood, we have come to expect these easy features when we think about Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics (FRP). The waxing and occasional polishing required to keep our FRP bright is not very demanding. FRP structures epitomize easy living. Continue reading
Building Techniques & Race Results
Epoxy Composite Boats are Winning
By Grace Ombry
There are many benefits of building boats of strong, lightweight epoxy composites. Let’s look at how both custom and production sailboats are performing on the race circuits.
Custom Boats
TRADER, an Andrews 70 built by AKE Ltd. in Tallinn, Estonia, won the 1993 Chicago to Mackinac, and Port Huron to Mackinac offshore races on corrected time. In the 300-mile Chicago race on July 17, racers experienced mostly reaching conditions. The first boat to finish was WINDQUEST, a Reichel/Pugh 70. Continue reading
A Dual Level Computer Stand (Stand-Up Desk)
Editor’s note: We are nothing if not cutting edge at Gougeon Brothers, Inc. Technical Advisor Brian Knight (now retired) wrote this article in 1993 about how to build something that is now a fast-growing trend in the workplace: a stand-up desk. Brian’s “dual level computer stand” will still make a great stand-up option today, although we imagine yours will have a flat screen monitor rather than the cathode ray tubes Brian’s design accommodated.
by Brian Knight
Because I spend so much time working at a computer, I designed a computer cabinet that would allow me to stand or sit while I work. It takes less than 10 seconds to convert from one position to the other. As an added bonus, moving the computer to its own stand freed some workspace on my desk.
An Epoxy & Fiberglass Roof
And epoxy/fiberglass roof was the solution for Bill Wendt. He called and described how his flat roof had been leaking. He said he was also putting an addition on the house, and wanted to use the same flat roof design so the addition would blend in with the rest of the house. But first, he wanted to eliminate the roof leak. Continue reading
Home-Built Station Wagon
By Grace Ombry
Bill Dauser couldn’t find an automobile to suit his needs, so he designed this home-built station wagon himself, using epoxy, among other things.
The Muskegon, Michigan carpenter welded two Eldorado front ends back-to-back to create the frame. This arrangement allowed for front-wheel drive and four-wheel independent suspension. The auto also has four-wheel disc brakes and a Buick 231 V6 engine. Continue reading
Building a Retractable Rudder Case
I built a retractable rudder case because no matter what kind of boat you have, there is nothing so delightful as building or fixing the part that steers her.
A reliable, easily lifted rudder system can greatly enhance the performance of a shoal draft boat. After years of building boats for our customers and ourselves, we’ve come to appreciate the importance of a functional and reliable steering and rudder system. Continue reading
Cold-Temperature Bonding & Coating with Epoxy
Strategies for successful application and curing of epoxy at low temperatures
Epoxy behaves differently in cold temperatures. These handling tips can guide you in obtaining optimum performance from epoxy in this fall and winter.
Epoxies reach a higher percentage of their potential physical properties when mixed and applied at temperatures above 60°F. However, you can use epoxy at lower temperatures and still obtain a dependable bond. The key is adapting your handling and application techniques to cold temperatures. Whether you live in a Northern or Southern climate, it is helpful to know how temperature affects epoxy chemistry, how epoxy handles differently in cold conditions, and what steps you can take to assure dependable bonds in cold weather. Continue reading