Zapp Posted November 4, 2012 Report Share Posted November 4, 2012 That is a thing of beauty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted November 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2012 OK... so following yesterdays huge appointment not being able to launch the punt, today was forecast to be a complete right off. I sat on the marsh for morning flight in torrential rain and had pretty much discounted the idea of a launch today. MId day came and the weather started to break with only a few dark clouds left in the sky. It got to 14:00 and the wind had dropped right off too, high tide was at 14:45... do i or don't I? The mrs was willing to give me a hand (as i had spent all morning in the ps**ing rain sorting out her horse stuff), so we went for it. I extended the trailer out and mounted some padding onto it to avoid damaging the punt, then got her loaded and strapped down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted November 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2012 I towed it down the road to an area where we could walk it down 5 or so steps and drop it in the water. It towed perfectly, no issues at all. I made some rope straps to help us carry it on and off of the trailer as it is quite an awkward shape to carry. But we got it there and in the drink!!! WAHOOO!!! 6 month of work put to the test. I paddled, rowed and sculled her around, not going too far out, just far enough for the tide to catch me to see how it handled properly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshLamb Posted November 4, 2012 Report Share Posted November 4, 2012 Absolutely superb!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted November 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2012 Following my initial 'test run' to make sure it wasnt going to sink, i wanted to see how stable it was, and this water is is not deep at all so a reasonable area to push things. As it turns out, it is very, very stable. I tried my best to get it on the brick of capsizing but couldn't. (im not getting in or out in the pic, i was leaning out that far to get it over) It's also extremely buoyant! My boys were desperate to get in it too so they came for a sit in it whilst the mrs held on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted November 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2012 Having tested it, entertained the children, i went for one last run before heading home. Superb end to a hard weeks 'holiday', but worth every second! Still grinning from ear to ear! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted November 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2012 On a practical note, Col. Hawker recommended the use of a sheeps fleece on the floor of the punt which made the hard,cold,wet floor boards far more comfortable to lay upon. Traditionally, and don`t laugh, as a continuation of this our punts are carpeted inside. The difference it makes to your comfort is quite amazing and it kills all the box like echo you get whenever you move about. Quite important when you`re actually stalking birds. Different areas have different traditions. Down here, punts are never named but are usually referred to by the name of the builder. Considering that a punt might last a hundred years, ours is seventy years old, it ensures that the name of the builder lives on as testement to his handiwork. Carpet would be ideal but the area i have to launch from when shooting is very muddy, i think the carpet would just hold water against the wood and bring on premature degradation. I do have some rubber underlay style stuff for putting under rugs to stop the slipping, this might be an option... As for the name, whilst most punts are not 'named' as such, this one will be used for fishing from and family day trips across the estuary so i think it would be nice to name her. Similarly i am certainly not egotistical or conceited enough to name it after myself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerdeor Posted November 4, 2012 Report Share Posted November 4, 2012 I would name her,focus or to reasons..you built the punt to focus on your future fowling sessoins,,,,,,,,,and its the trusty old focus that towed your pride and joy to the water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted November 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2012 I would name her,focus or to reasons..you built the punt to focus on your future fowling sessoins,,,,,,,,,and its the trusty old focus that towed your pride and joy to the water Yeah, i had to use the mrs car to tow it as the neither the new truck or my car have a towbar... As for the name, love it... so does the mrs. More suggestions welcomed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nabbers Posted November 4, 2012 Report Share Posted November 4, 2012 What a beauty! A real credit to your hard work and skill! I love that stem nose block with hole in it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudpatten Posted November 5, 2012 Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 I forgot to say that one would remove the carpet at the end of each trip and hang it up to dry. Good luck with the "fine tuning", you`ll learn a lot about punts in the period between first getting afloat, fitting it out and your first successful shot. It`s an immenseley steep learning curve, but fascinating nonetheless. Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomov Posted November 5, 2012 Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 Wildfowler I just wanted to say well done! I've watched this thread for about 6 months and I am seriously impressed with your skill and dedication. That's a hell of a thing to be able to tell folk that you made yourself from scratch! Good luck with it and keep us posted on progress with the gun. I think I've just added 'having a session in a gunning punt' to the things I needto do before I die list! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuji Shooter Posted November 5, 2012 Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 Never doubted that it would be 100% perfect when it hit the water. Stunning bit of kit, well done. I guess it will soon be back to that pile of jobs the missus has been saving up for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bala Posted November 5, 2012 Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 cant wait to see the gun on her. brilliant job mate, well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted November 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 (edited) Thanks to all for the positive comments throughout the build. They have definitely helped keep up the motivation levels! Freakmode... I have an agreement with the mrs, the shooting season is for shooting, not working on the house! The summer I'll fit my pigeon shooting around her list of jobs... It worked well until she got a horse! The list of jobs at home is still there but now there are 'urgent' ones at the stable! I can't complain though! She's great and always helped out with the punt when I needed another pair of hands! Edited November 5, 2012 by Wildfowler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted November 5, 2012 Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 Well done, stunning bit of work and an amazing write up and pictures. I would let the wife name it, seems only fair, although I did like her suggestion of "The other Woman" or "ToW" if that was too long We all await the gun now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moor man Posted November 5, 2012 Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 (edited) Wildfowler, firstly, congratulations on your successful launch, those photos with your boys are priceless. Secondly; does your wife have a sister? If so is she single? She sounds like a good sport and one of a kind, just remember to keep the balance. Thirdly; cant wait for installation of gun and first shot......keep on going and keep us all posted, thanks for the updates ( it must be onerous keeping us updated when you are so busy) regards, moor man. Edited November 5, 2012 by moor man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted November 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 Wildfowler, firstly, congratulations on your successful launch, those photos with your boys are priceless. Secondly; does your wife have a sister? If so is she single? She sounds like a good sport and one of a kind, just remember to keep the balance. Thirdly; cant wait for installation of gun and first shot......keep on going and keep us all posted, thanks for the updates ( it must be onerous keeping us updated when you are so busy) regards, moor man. Thanks for your comments. I know my mrs is one of a kind, and whilst i joke about it, like all good relationships there is plenty of give and take. We do a lot together but both value our time apart, her with her horse and me with my boat or shooting and my boys come out with both of us... Like most of us, the hardest balance is between work and home! As for sisters, yes she has 3! and believe me, i've got the best one by a LONG way! The gun will hopefully come March time. too late for this season but even if i started it now, by the time i had all of it finished it would only just be ready for the end of the season so rather than rush it, i would rather spend i little more time at design stage and ensure i have covered all aspects of it. It will definitely be ready for next season though, and i will of course be posting pics of the gun build progress and test shots. I also need to sort out the sailing rigging for the punt ready for the summer. I plan to spend some days out with the boys in the estuary when it warms up again, teaching them to sail, we will camp on the beach the other side, sea fish all night and have camp fires... hopefully give them some proper memories for when they grow up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted November 5, 2012 Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 Hows the gun going? I'm just watching American Gun and they are making a punt gun I'm not convinced they are doing it properly tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted November 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 Hows the gun going? I'm just watching American Gun and they are making a punt gun I'm not convinced they are doing it properly tho. The 'punt gun' they make is hideous! They make a shockingly poor job of it too. I'll take some screen shots of the design so far and post them... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted November 5, 2012 Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 Just got to the end what a joke a gas pipe with a **** paint job and AA sights. Waste of time and money sometimes I hate yanks!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted November 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amazed Posted November 5, 2012 Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 What's the expected size/displacement of the gun ? It sort of reminds me of a 20 mm finish material destruction gun I saw years ago in an article. A lovely project very well done I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have reading your posts. Thank you. Karl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler Posted November 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 What's the expected size/displacement of the gun ? It sort of reminds me of a 20 mm finish material destruction gun I saw years ago in an article. A lovely project very well done I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have reading your posts. Thank you. Karl. The bore will be 1 1/4' diameter so approximately 31.75mm... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Mat Posted November 5, 2012 Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 Are you machining the gun yourself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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