boat Cover

Making of a cover to protect the wood from harmfull uv rays and the extreme temperature changes we experience here on the south coast of the uk.

I wanted a fitted cover and could only find loose drawstring covers on the web so set about making my own from some uv stable vinyl that i perchased online.

 

 I figured that the only way to get a true fit was to template from the actual fabric laid directly over the hull. After cutting the various panels to shape adding on seam allowances i taped the panels onto the hull to check the fit. I used french seams on all joints for extra strength and waterproof qualities.  

Joines were made at midships to keep the cover looking tidy and minimize the number of joints

All Cleats and fairleads were cut out and pockets of fabric were made for them.

Dashboard

I have decided to remodel the dashboard as i was haveing difficulty in getting the airguide gauges to work properely and i wasn't happy with the mismatch in styles.
Picture to the right shows a cardboard template that
i designed in an Art Deco style based on the chrysler tower in New York.


The style should tie in well with the boats name "VOGUE"                                                                                           

 

 

 

Carried template trough past the steering wheel to balance the look.

I couldn't get a clear feeling for how the finished dashboard might look so sat down for the evening and drew out the pattern of the individual gauges onto the cardboard template.

I am happy with the overall look and have placed orders for the KUS white faced gauges and marine grade stainless steel for the dash panel.

Stabilizer/steering Fins

Hi, its been a while since my last update so i have alot of new detail to add as i have been busy working on VOGUE for the new summer season.
After trawling through lots of pictures on Google i noticed that quite a few old wooden speed boats had fins attatched to the hull along or just above the plimsole line, with further investigation i discovered that they were to aid in steering under hard turns   ie.. they dig in to the water and stop the boat from slipping sideways. They also improve the time in which it takes to get on plane as they stop the stern from sinking as much under acceleration .

 I found some old oak in the woodstore that was left over from my Grandmothers wardrobe (Used some of it in the 1970s to make a skateboard deck) and scribed it to the hull before cutting and sanding to make a pleasing shape. Picture to right shows the trial fitting supported with bungee straps



Chrome trim strips were cut and polished and designed to offer extra support to the fins












 Fins were fixed to the hull with 7 screw bolts each side and the joint and holes were sealed with sikaflex (brown)

This picture shows the fins drying off  after the final of ten coats of hempel varnish laid over a base of Q19.

 

 I reinforced the interior of the hull with extra Mahogany slats and fixed them in place with epoxy resin glue mix and further laminations of carbon fiber . The screwbolts came through this and were topped off with large stainless flat washers to spread the load and nyloc nuts .



The finished fin in all of its glory !

 Front view

Side view

Rear view.

Wooden dashboard

I formed the dashboard from flexiply and covered it in a sapele veneer , the airguide instruments were cut into the dash .

Finishing touches !

Vogue chrome script on dashboard and gold vogue lettering on the transom

Old handheld spotlight , refurbished and sprayed in a coordinated colour to match seating and steering wheel .

Waterski hook and bilge pump water outlet on the transom . I may add eyebolts either side of outboard engine for a waterski bridle at a later date .

Highliner Trailer

I Chose this trailer because i had limited space in the boat shed and the highliner trailer has a feature that allows the towing hitch to hinge back on itself .

 Refurbished winch with new red 50mm webbing and painted the winch hook red to match

 Long trailer front should help with launch and retrieval .

 I fitted some stainless eye bolts to the front of the trailer as anchorage points for the bow tie down strap , also you can just see the extra reflector i have added .

 Rear strap fixing and lighting board mount .

 I added stick on reflective stripes to the back for night driving

Rubber bow stop fits neatly around the stainless bow plate .

Added extra reflectors front(amber)and back(red) for extra visability whilst driving at night.

Updated pics !

Just a few snapshots of my boat during a sunny spell in amongst the storms of February 2014 .