Wildfowler Posted September 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2012 (edited) The edging strip fitted Edited September 6, 2012 by Wildfowler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardH Posted September 6, 2012 Report Share Posted September 6, 2012 What a fantastic project. Looking forward to seeing the gun to go with it. Thanks for sharing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted September 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 I filled all of the scre heads in last weekend and sanded them off this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted September 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 I made the mast step and sculling oar rowlock holder today, fitted aboth of them along with the wash boards. I cut the hatches out of the wash boards too. Now i just need to sand a few bits down and it is ready to glass the top decks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted September 16, 2012 Report Share Posted September 16, 2012 Mudpattern Wildfowler well done for keep this art going look fantastic. Hope to see one in action one day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12Greygrouse Posted September 16, 2012 Report Share Posted September 16, 2012 Absolutely superb, well done. Looking forward to the next post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted September 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2012 I filled all of the screw heads in the wash boards on Friday evening last week. I sanded them all flush on Saturday washed it down and laid the glass fabric over the top decks so it would take the shape of the punt overnight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted September 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2012 On Sunday I cut the fabric closer to size. I started to resin it at about 9:00am and finnished at 14:30! 5 1/2 hours of breathing in resin fumes! :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pegasus bridge Posted September 24, 2012 Report Share Posted September 24, 2012 first time I have seen this thread, that is a work of art hats off for the effort, looking forwards to seeing the pics of it finished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted September 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2012 I spent all evening Thursday and most of the evening Friday sanding down the top decks ready for Gel coating. Got covered in glass fibers so had 2 very uncomfortable itchy nights! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted September 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2012 The Mrs and I turned the punt over this morning ready to gelcoat the hull. She managed to smother her arm in glass dust so was itching all day (she was really impresed) . I sanded the hull down again, washed it off and started to gelcoat. I have to say, not a great job to do. As the temperature has dropped it is like trying to roller on thick syrup that doesn't brush out properly. The gelcoat also destroys foam rolers so i got through a couple of packs to avoid leaving bits in the surface. It started to go off in the tray too making life even more difficult! Generally a c**p job but half way there now and i'm pleased with the colour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted September 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2012 Hoping to get the top decks done tomorrow (when i get back from morning flight) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted September 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2012 The Mrs and I flipped over the punt this morning so i could gelcoat the top decks. I remembered that i hadn't put knees on the wash boards to ensure they are sturdy So rather than make the knees from wood which would cast shadows on the decks, I cut them out of 316 marine grade stainless which I had aquired earlier on in the project but not used yet. I cut 12 out in total 6 for each side, using a hacksaw which took an age. I linished the edges smooth and rounded the corners so they are all the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted September 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2012 Once they were all finished I used a stiff epoxy resin to glue them onto the decks and wash boards. Now these are on i can gelcoat the topdecks during the week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Mat Posted September 30, 2012 Report Share Posted September 30, 2012 This has to be one of the best things on the forum at the moment, stunning work! How is the gun coming along? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted September 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2012 Thanks! The gun is slow to be honest, I just don't have the funds at the moment. It's looking to cost approx £1200 (without a stock). So at the mo I'm just trying to get the punt done so I can use it to get about on the marsh this season and iron about any bits I'm not happy with for when I do get the gun sorted. If anyone knows of one for reasonable money to go with my pride and joy then please let me know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted October 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2012 The Mrs and I got the top decks gelcoated today, she rollered it on and I brushed it out. Working together made it much easier and resulted in a better finish. Its now actually starting to look like a gunning punt rather than a ply canoe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted October 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 I spent some time cleaning off the gellcoat from the stainless brackets this week with a random orbital sander. The mrs and I carried the punt out today after driving into town to get some more ply. This is the first time it has actually been outside! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted October 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 I made the 2 main floor boards this afternoon. I'll make 2 small ones to go under the after deck during the week along with a 'lid' to stop it filling up with water when it rains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigger Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 Wow I'm well impressed you got some great skills there mate well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardH Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 What the hell have i been doing with my time? Great work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRYAN3 Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 Looking good Ian. I don't see a seat in you're punt and have recently aquired a copy of Colin Willocks book entitled The Gun-Punt Adventure. On page185 is a sketch of a seat-***-magazine designed by Payne Gallwey. Not sure if thats any use to you,it seems that people are using West Mersea gunning punts as small sailing boats and they appear to sit on the floor. These are open topped craft mostly built on plans by John Milbank of West Mersea. I have requested coppies of the plans. This is a fascinating subject. ATB-Bryan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted October 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 Looking good Ian. I don't see a seat in you're punt and have recently aquired a copy of Colin Willocks book entitled The Gun-Punt Adventure. On page185 is a sketch of a seat-***-magazine designed by Payne Gallwey. Not sure if thats any use to you,it seems that people are using West Mersea gunning punts as small sailing boats and they appear to sit on the floor. These are open topped craft mostly built on plans by John Milbank of West Mersea. I have requested coppies of the plans. This is a fascinating subject. ATB-Bryan. To be honest i haven't given a seat a great deal of thought yet... whilst the RPG design looks good i have heard mixed reviews and it does seem overly complex, however that said i'm sure there is logic behind the design. I shal probably make a basic box with a sloped side to lay my chest on when down behind the gun. Once i have used that for a while i can refine it to suit my particular requirements. I do need a seat though as to get the oars over the coaming i have made some rowlock blocks which lift the oars higher than would be comfortable if sitting on the floor. As for the West Mersea punts.... I live approx 10miles from Mersea and, well they're basic... Whilst they are great fun to sail in the summer I wouldn't be strapping a 100lb gun to the front of one in rough weather in mid winter! There are no top decks at all so any water that reaches the gunwals rapidly meets your lap! But it depends on what your looking for. (i know you dont plan to shoot from yours through our various PMs) so this might be a simpler design for you to produce... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miroku_Dave Posted October 15, 2012 Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 What a fantastic thread! You're a very lucky man to have an understanding wife who even helps!! Good luck, can't wait to see it finished! Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuji Shooter Posted October 15, 2012 Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 Brilliant looking project that. Can we all come over when it snows :yp: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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