Building the Nutshell Pram - Finishing Work

Just posted my video on completing the Nutshell Pram: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGAQOQ_2Bpc

Maiden Voyage of the Amanda Louise

Sept 15 - tested her out on WBL.  Actually got the sails up and the daggerboard down.  She handles very well in light winds, and rows quite comfortably as well.  I do like the oars as compared to a motor as they're easy to swing down if you have to get moving or need a bit of help shifting tacks (which you may in a very light wind.)  No engine to get started/monkey with.

I would definitely recommend an extra set of oarlocks (which I installed on mine,) as they allow you to a convenient spot to stow the oars while you're under sail.  Would also recommend adjusting the tiller so it swings... if you go with the recommended build, whoever sits in the back is going to have to constantly shift to get out of its way.  Only major concern is the fact that the sail obstructs the view, a problem we resolved by occasionally ducking around it.

Successful Float Test!

... on Typo Lake.  The dagger board trunk is finally not bleeding water from the corners.  Read something on one of the wooden boat forums about using pressure (think they recommended a blow dryer) to cram caulk or resin up into a leak.  After sanding down with a shim covered in paper towels and sandpaper, I applied 3M 5800 caulk liberally both around the outside of the bedlogs as well as the inside of the trunk/seam of the hull and bedlogs/anywhere that looked like it could leak.

I then applied a duct tape patch to the daggerboard socket at the bottom of the boat and the top of the trunk, leaving just enough room for a duct tape-wrapped tube, which I connected to a shop vac.  I threw the shop vac on reverse, and while there were a few leaks allowing the air to get out (which I wanted... didn't want to generate enough pressure to do damage,) I believe it also created enough pressure to force the caulk up into the leaks.

Typo Lake is down, by the way.  Way down.  Damn this drought.