A place to share YOUR boat building story

• The Story of the Box by Sarah Riviere
  
  
• Feedback: Cracker Box by Fran Matera
  
  
• Feedback: Bull's-Eye by André Moos
  
  
• Photos sent in since the last WebLetter
  
  
• From the Boatbuilder Connection: Let's do a gathering
  
  
• What a great little boat! by Brad Thomson
  
  
• Seen on the Net
  
  
• Shop Talk: How to utilize sheathing fabrics
  
  
• Recent email

• Naiya Sophia (Witt) Kane
  October 1st 12:41 a.m.
  7 lb 8 oz
  21 inches long

      
Editor      

The Story of "The BOX"

by Sarah Riviere

A special Glen-L 14 project for a special dad.

Four years ago our Grandpa (Bob Smith) brought up the idea of building a boat for our Dad (Bill Riviere). As 10 (Sarah Riviere) and 8 (Stephanie Riviere) year olds it sounded like an exciting, fun and quick project that would also serve the purpose of giving us a break from building model airplanes. After we agreed, Grandpa ordered the plans, bought some wood and we started working. We decided to keep the project a secret from our Dad, so it would be a surprise for him when it was finished. Just in case our Dad wondered what the big thing in grandpa's yard was, we made up a story with the help of our Mom (Cathy Riviere) and Grandma (Lin Smith), that Grandpa was storing it for a friend of Grandpa's neighbor. Also, so that we would never slip at home and talk about the boat, we decided to use a code word…"the Box". In order to keep it a secret from our Dad, the boat was never to be called a boat it was always to be called a "BOX" (Hence the name we have now). We were scared to death that Dad would find out. Grandpa also told us that if the secret got out, then the "BOX " would become his and not a gift for our Dad.

Continue

Feedback: Cracker Box

by Fran Matera

My Glen-L Crackerbox grew from blueline drawings to a wet-water blast in my garage shop over two-and-a-half years of nights and weekends, with dozens of Bud Light beers to aid thinking through plan alterations and next steps. The hardest part of construction was figuring where to bore the shaft hole. This meant dropping the engine block into the hold to get the measurements and angle exactly right. I bobtailed the engine and used a chain coupler direct drive. Direct drive is a lot simpler setup than installing a transmission, making the cockpit less crowded and eliminating several hundred pounds of extra weight. The bobtail setup keeps the engine low in the hull and allows for a flatter shaft angle. It also allowed me to move the engine further aft. This setup and the cavitation plates helped to stabilize the boat and created a smoother ride at high speeds, which we’ve clocked at 58 mph. The power plant is a tired, old, small-block Chevy 350 V-8 that cost $500. With some tweaking, I expect to push top-end speed to 70 mph.

The job I ended up dreading was filling and sanding the outer hull, which became a long, drawn out affair, aided by a wide assortment of air and power sanding tools. The easier task was fairing the sheer and chines. It seemed intimidating at first, but was easier than expected, once I got the hang of it. The easiest task was using epoxy products, which are more user-friendly than the fiberglass products I’ve used in the past. So far, I’ve sunk about $4,500 into materials and parts, mostly used, only buying new when I couldn’t find parts elsewhere. eBay was a great source for parts. I also did trades with friends, and scrounged around junk yards. Overall, this project was a lot more work than I had expected. Of course, I’m something of a perfectionist. Was it worth it? (Vrrrrm! Vrrrrm!) You bet!

Photos

Feedback: Bull's-Eye

by André Moos

I wish to thank you for helping make a long time dream of building my own boat a reality. I have sent along a few pictures of my Bull's-Eye.

I stuck fairly close to the design details from your plans, but with some variation to the detail on the thwart. I primarily used Honduran Mahogany and Fir, along with Brazilian cherry for the motorboard and the top of the daggerboard trunk, mainly because I wanted something very hard and strong to take the abuse of motor clamps and the strain from the mainsheet.

I started the project on Labour Day, 2005, and finished in July of 2006, with a break in construction during the winter months. I would have continued over the winter, but unfortunately I don't have a heated garage, just the space under my deck.

I found your plans and instructions to be very easy to follow and understand. Also, whenever I emailed with a question, I always got a prompt and friendly reply with just the answer or advice that I needed.

The last picture, in the set of photos I sent along, is from the day of the maiden voyage. I was excited but at the same time somewhat nervous, however that quickly gave way to sheer joy as soon as the sail caught the wind, and the boat eagerly moved forward. So this is what it's like sailing your own boat! The whole experience had me grinning until my cheeks got sore. I have since enjoyed sailing my Bull's-Eye a few times more this past summer, and hope to get out again soon before the cooler weather arrives.

Over the winter I might modify the rudder to flip up, because there are a lot of very shallow banks in the area that I like to sail.

I think I'll also spend some time this winter reviewing other Glen-L designs, and contemplating my next project.

Finally, I can heartily recommend the Bull's-Eye to anyone thinking about building their first boat. The easy stitch and glue construction and versatile row, sail, or motor design is a sure winner.

André Moos
North Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada

Customer Photos

From the Boatbuilder Forum:
Let's do a gathering

If you would be interested in attending a 2007 boatbuilder get-together in Tennessee, visit the Forum and join the discussion.

What a great little boat!

by Brad Thomson

I purchased the plans for your TNT design over 10 years ago, bought the material for the frames and started to clear the garage to build my boat, I then set it down and never returned to complete the project. I now live 3 hours away from my parents and I am in my mid 30's, consumed by career and lack of time like so many of us. But on a whim when my dad told me of the planned yard sale and his intention to put a price on my precious plans and frames “why don’t we build it” came out of my mouth. Before you know it we were off! I am so glad I decided to finish this project. This has been a great summer building a great design with my dad. We have the boat built and are in the finishing stages (installing hardware, steering, etc.). We have found a 1958 Merc Mark 55 in great shape (sitting in a basement 20 years) and now that summer's drawing to a close, it's time to concentrate on the motor, which I think will give this package such a great look! I built the strong back from spruce and laminated it with OSB board (to limit movement). The frames and all lumber are Philippine mahogany, the side and bottom planking are 1088 ¼” mahogany and the side planking and decking are 6mm ribbon stripe mahogany.

Just wanted to say THANKS, and forward you some pictures to enjoy! I will have this in the water in the spring and will forward some action photos and performance results.

PS. I was inspired to build this boat by my dad, who built two of these 45 years ago with his friend.

Belleville, Ontario

Customer Photos

Seen on the Net:

      Glen-L 6.9
      Glen-L Zip
      Glen-L 15
      Squirt

Shop Talk: How to utilize sheathing fabrics

From How to Fiberglass Boats

In sheathing a boat with cloth, success of the job depends partly on how the material is used. While a simple small boat may be covered with a single layer of cloth, a boat of larger size or with varying contours and angles is best covered in several pieces or "panels" which will allow the material to conform to the surfaces better.

Continue

Recent email:

Note: Our former shop foreman has spent most of his life in "sunny" Southern California.

From: Allyn Perry
Sent: Tue, 17 Oct 2006
Subject: What have I done??????????????

Darla,
Please tell Glen that I've made a terrible mistake and I want to come back!

Just kidding...

Attached you'll find a couple pictures I took with Candy's camera phone a few hours ago. We had just arrived home and it was around 6:00 P.M. We probably should have put off our trip to Home Depot and Wells Fargo after work 'cause we ended up slipping and sliding all the way home.
  We also should have put those All-Weather tires on Candy's car last weekend.
      We also should have cleared out one side of the garage last weekend so we could get at least one car in there.
         I also should have picked up two or three sand bags to put in the back of my pick up for traction last weekend.
            We also should have bought a snow shovel last weekend.

Good thing I'm not a procrastinator.
It's supposed to clear up around noon tomorrow. We'll see how fast the snow melts. I'll take another picture tomorrow night. Pray for me.      Al

From: DENIS SMITH
Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2006 8:01 AM
Subject: Build your Dream Boat

I just finished the hull on my Bandido and was able to rig scaffolding and a cradle to facilitate righting it last Thursday. It is now upright and on a couple of boat dollies ready for engines, jet pumps, interior (etc) and finishing. I may get it done yet!!

I am sorry to say I was so into the job I didn't take any pictures of the turning process. I have pictures of the boat upside down and now right side up but none of the turning. If any one is really interested I would love to talk to them and share the experience with them. With the help of one of my neighbor's sons, I was able to do it by myself without any hernia problems. I worked on the idea in my mind from the first day of construction, and it worked out really well. If I can figure out how to load the pictures onto my computer I'll send them on to you.
DP Smith

From: Roz Skochinsky
Sent: Monday, October 16, 2006
Subject: Glen-L Yukon - Compulsive Behavior

Gentlemen, This was the only e-mail address offered on your website so I am sending this to you and hope you pass it on to the proper department. My husband Stephen and I built a 36' Yukon, finishing and launching in 1989. Much to our surprise, his sister (in North Carolina) sent us your website showing the newspaper article on the launch of our trawler 'Compulsive Behavior'. I just wanted to thank you for posting it on your website. Building it was an experience we will never forget and all the people at Glen-L Marine were extremely helpful and supportive during every step of construction. We have kept the original plans in a memory book of pictures and articles about our vessel.

Sincerely,
Rosalind Skochinsky

Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted on Wednesday, October 4, 2006 at 18:37:32
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28 September 2006

Gayle,

We're about to start putting the covers on the 'sponsons' and front deck. Just finished putting in the transom. (Picklefork 3-pt hydro).

At any rate, we are documenting the construction process. Feel free to use this video however you want...You can view it (and download it, but it takes the Google Video Player to watch it if you are not on-line.)

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8877204276167920686&hl=en

This is "Building a Hydroplane - Episode III". Two earlier editions only covered their parts of the construction. I hope to include some running video footage of the boat on the water, rather than just the "time lapse" movie of the construction.

It really helps if you have a 'high speed' Internet connection, but it's not necessary. Let me know if you can watch it OK.

Regards, Harold Seelig

Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Subject: Re: my husband in D Magazine!

The October issue of D Magazine... just released and at the newstands this week~ an article featuring Jim and the boat!

Melissa Benge

Jim is building the Reliant. For more photos, see Customer Photos

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