: I didn't record working time on my first boat, but at one time I estimated
: it at 700 hours. I think that must include time sleeping ...

: The second boat was quick because it had a stitch and glue hull, but slow
: because it had a complex stripping scheme on the deck, realised in a mix
: of softwoods (Pine and WRC) and hardwoods (Purpleheart and Padauk) neither
: of the latter being easy to work (or even to cut into strips). It was fast
: because I used VCP/Kajaksport hatches, but slow because I used a milled
: cockpit coaming ... and so on ... It took 280 hours from Christmas to Easter
: 2004 (or was it 2003?). And it got varnished about 18 months later after it
: had done numerous trips.

: The next boat ought to be "far" quicker, especially as it is much
: smaller
: (only 1.92 metres long). But somehow I doubt that will work, since a
: whitewater playboat has a lot more curvy strips, and various safety
: features that have to be built in. But no hatches ...

: The "second" boat has been on the drawing board for eight years,
: and several
: hundred hours of tweaks and redesigns. Could be another few hundred hours
: before I decide I really ought to build the dang thing, by which time it
: could well be the fifth boat :-)

: So don't believe any estimates you see here. Make sure your workshop has
: good lighting and a comfy chair for contemplating the next step(s). Next
: week you could be anywhere from paddling the boat to having your fourteenth
: go at getting the first two strips to your satisfaction ... It all depends
: on you and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

: My advice is to make the first one quick and adequate, and get out paddling.
: Then let the second boat bring out the perfectionist in you.

: Andy

One other thing that will help a bunch specially if it's a stripper, memorize Nick's book(s).

Bill H.