What happens when it breaks!

[malcolmd]

Building a 25 ft seagoing boat would be a huge undertaking that would take several years - I would suggest hunting down a suitable vintage hull while you build the plant. John

ah, but you are talking to a man who just finished building a small (ride on) steam loco from scratch and that took 24 years (with breaks for children, houses, motor racing) so this is in the nature of a "quick" project - I am thinking about 5 years for the engine, boiler and hull... and for me it's the building that matters as much as finished article

Mal

[malcolmd]

Another mention Mal-When you wash up that hot,dirty part ,do it in a bucket inside the boat!! I was cleaning my burner over the side one time and no I didn't drop it [I was lucky!] And that was the last time I tried a stunt like that! And carry spare nuts and bolts-especially the brass stuff,cause when you drop one and it slides into the murky depths of your bilge,you will never find it again.And no one has been able to sell me a magnet that picks up brass! Den

I'll remember this (probably as I drop the thing I am washing over the side! )

[Johnlanark]

Good for you - I hope you go for it. To help a newcover get started on a big build, I can recommend the 5 day courses at the Boatbuilding Academy in Lyme Regis. They have one on modern wooden boat building that will cover strip plank, and will solve many mysteries. John

[malcolmd]

John, I will certainly look into the course, and I will also keep the community in touch with my (somewhat slow) progress