Just returned from picking up material to start 3 skin boats. I found 1" x 12" ponderosa pine ( molding grade ) at a local yard and they allowed me to pick through the stack to find 3 completely clear boards. Although I didn't have to go far. I set aside 6 to 8 boards, and mostly because they were top-layer ( dirty ) or had a crack in one end.

Received my two spoke-shaves in the mail today from Craftsman Studio and will run them over the Scary-Sharp set up this evening to get them ready. I will be cutting the apummaqs for all 3 boats this afternoon and if time allows, will be setting up a jig to cut the mortises for deck beams and ribs.

In an effort to get all components out of one or two boards, I'm going to make an effort to bend some of the pine cut-offs for the ribs. ?? They may or may not take this type of bend, but since these boards are flat grain, the ribs will be ripped off the edges and will be nearly verticle and reasonably strong. If they won't take the bends at the chines, then I have some Ash on hand to use.

I need to get out and cut out my plywood frames for the apummaqs ( both outer and inner spreaders ).
I'm going to try to keep a running record of the materials costs, just to see what they take to build. One will be around 18' x 22" and the other two will be in the 12' to 13' x 18" range. May try a removable pontoon set-up on at least one of the shorter boats. ??

I'm using ideas from both Morris' and Starr's books and may try something different on each boat and then decide what I like the best of their ideas.

Still have to sand the inside of the Rob-Roy and get ready to install the gunnals, but that's a garage project. There will be inside projects.

Hmmm!! Might keep me off the computer a lot more, but..... Uh... I guess that's a good thing.

My bud with the camera wanted to start taking pictures already, but it's just 1 x 12's right now... So, gotta wait till there's something to show. But, while were waiting for pictures, we can start figureing out how to do a Web-Site. Got tired of waiting on my computer expert next door...
He got his cabinet for the table saw, and my Web-site.....??? So, I'm just using his saw for all the longer cuts so I don't have to open MY garage up.

More as the situation developes...

Rehd