Acorn to Arabella - Journey of a Wooden Boat - Episode 30: Deadwood and Some Lead

We're still waiting on the weather to start warming up but we can still get ourselves as ready as possible for when it does. We start to work with the lumber that will become our deadwood and we shoot a propane tank to help us melt lead into the major divots on the ballast keel.
We also have used this slow time of year to attend some shows and give some talks about what we are doing. We attended the Maine Boatbuilder's show in Portland ME, gave a talk to the MA chapter of the TSCA, met with R and W ropes (rigging.rwrope....) and Alix got to visit the Apprenticeshop (apprenticeshop....) in Rockland to meet with Joao Bentes.
Joao is starting a project called Break the Anchor and is planning on building a traditional Portuguese sardine carrier, sail it across the Atlantic and set up an itinerant seafaring school in Portugal. Check out his site and project at breaktheanchor....
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Acorn to Arabella is a boat building project taking place in Granby, Massachusetts. Steve and Alix started as amateur boat builders building their own 38' wooden boat in their backyard: designer William Atkin's Ingrid with a Stormy Petrel's gaff rig. These videos follow the journey from tree felling, to lumber milling, to lofting, to the lead keel pour and beyond-sharing details of the woodworking, carpentry, metal smithing, tool building, and tool maintenance that wooden boats command. This ultimate DIY project will continue well past launch, when they will travel and learn to cruise aboard the boat that they've built. Just kidding about all that, this channel is about a Siberian Laika named Akiva.
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[@tufankilinc636]

So much admiration for y'all. It takes so much dedication, talent and tenacity to tackle such a project. If y'all were in Texas, I would be there each weekend to donate my time. God bless, fellas!

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks! We feel the same way about our friends having kids. Talk about a expensive, time consuming commitment! ha! Building a boat is cheap and easy by comparison!

[@rottenrobbie7]

Coming through so much more paced and clear, Alix- wonderful vid!

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks! It's great to know people are noticing our improvements!

[@blair.nichols]

Hey guys, another fantastic video. The thing that I am noticing the most with your recent videos is how good the cinematography and editing is getting. I've always enjoyed your content but its evident that it's not just a journey about a boat but also the progression of your existing and development of new skills. Really looking forward to seeing these huge building blocks coming together. Keep up the great work and awesome videos!

[@AcornToArabella]

Alix is getting much better! Like anything the more you do it the better you become. We are both learning a ton every day, learning is fun and huge part of the journey!

[@billhamilton2366]

You guys are my new heroes.....You have obviously spent many a night reading, learning and developing skills. For first timer virgins , I'm impressed with your ability to get er done.Anything and everything has been performed with a great deal of foresight and consideration and there is no hubris involved at all. I wait patiently for every update video. Crappy winter for all of us all round. Unfortunately I predict a short if not non existent spring and a short season afterwards. Cheers from the tundra to the north.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks for the overly kind comment. The learning has been one of our favorite parts so far and we know there is so much more to come.

[@brianjoyce9040]

Sharing and connecting with like minded builder targeting future builders is a beautiful thing. Well intentioned and pure

[@idahorodgersusmc]

I know nothing of boats, and live nowhere's close to enough water to float even a row boat, however you guys interest the hell out of me! Love the craftsmanship and hard work going into your project.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks! It seems you are not alone, we have numerous non-nautical folk following and enjoying the ride we are on. Good to hear you are also enjoying our journey!

[@Bobbywolf64]

I'm kind of in the same "boat". I have no interest in sailing a boat, or making one. I have a little speed boat I use but thats it. For some reason I'm drawn to this story, and very interested in it. It feels like 2 guys fighting against the odds to do something great.

[@AcornToArabella]

Nice! It's great to hear people enjoy the journey! The deck is stacked pretty heavily against us, many have told us it's impossible. But hot damn does it feel good every time we accomplish the "impossible"! We started with a dream, some trees and not much else, we really hope others out there follow suit. We humans are capable of amazing things, the only thing that has ever stopped us is us.

[@idahorodgersusmc]

Acorn To Arabella, Keep up the great work! On the edge of my seat for the next vid

[@thomasarussellsr]

Yay, another update video. Thanks for sharing guys. Love the little steps that will lead to a great, long lasting, vessel. This type of vlog just helps to remind us that it is the journey, not the destination, that is the true purpose of life. Goals are great, but how we get there labels the true value that goal attainment gives us. Awesome job, guys.

[@AcornToArabella]

We completely agree! Glad you are enjoying the journey!

[@joblot8463]

i''m in awe of your abilities,i know nothing of building boats or sailing them,your knowledge is amazing,i feel i know my trade as well as most, but you guys are on another level,looking forward to the next video,cheers

[@davidwilliams6016]

Would love to have that old band saw, it really is sweet. Thanks guys, love how you said that the guy hosting you came and the rest of the gang, and there was 1 lady in a chair, lol. I’m sure there were others, but reminded me of some of the “meetings” hold, lol. Put a mirror out there and now I have two in my meeting. Keep pushin, and be patient, on the cold!

[@wildtimbrown]

Its always a good day when I get to see more A to A. Thanks

[@daleskidmore1685]

I know what it is like being held up by the weather. Will check out Break The Anchor. Thanks for the update. Keep on keeping on.

[@timmurfitt1441]

Excellent video. Great mix of stuff and really good to see the progress you are making. Your explanations of what you are doing and why are really useful and make understanding a complex build a lot easier and a joy to follow. When the weather warms up it wont be long before we will see the shape of the boat starting to develop. Thanks for sharing what you are doing.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks! They are calling for 60* in the 10 day forecast, soon we can go full bore and not be held up by the cold or outside jobs. She will look like a boat by the fall, will be great to see all the prep work start to pay off.

[@SteveAkaDarktimes]

I think in the end you will see that you will treasure the connections you made with all these people and the community you joined more than the boat or the sailing (maybe). so its good to see you out and about meeting people during the winter downtime.

[@AcornToArabella]

The amazing people we have met has been one of the best parts of the project so far.

[@SteelDoesMyWill]

Really nice to see that old but new again Bandsaw in action... what a beast!

[@AcornToArabella]

Now that we have it I can't imagine doing the build without it!

[@vancemarin8022]

I loved that band saw from the moment you brought it home !!! It will still be going strong for another 100 years..

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

Great to see progress guys. I love that bandsaw too, awesome bit of kit. Andy UK

[@miraclo3]

Awesome! glad to see another video! love the lead work! keep up the great work!

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks! We are honestly getting a little tired of messing with the stuff. Soon though the lead work will be over and it will be onto the wood working!

[@douglasmoffat6560]

Sorry, minor correction, in case anyone cares: you stated that the shipworms the worm shoe protects the boat from, were crustaceans. Actually they are molluscs. So they are more closely related to clams than to crabs or lobsters. While I’m sticking my two cents’ worth in, the birds that nested in your band saw appeared to be wrens. Terrific project! Thanks so much for sharing!

[@RichardHeadGaming]

And here we see one method of carefully venting a propane tank before modifying for safety.......BOOM!

[@deadMoney2k12]

I've become addicted to this show!

[@AcornToArabella]

LOL Glad to hear you are enjoying following our journey!

[@drc42x]

Love your method for opening up an old propane tank! Those valves can be a bear to remove sometimes. You were smart not to just start cutting!

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks! It was very effective!

[@richardbohlingsr3490]

Nice job with the lead fillings. They won't fall out. The band saw really works great and the vfd that lets you control blade speed is a super advantage when cutting those big thick timbers.

[@greenlover247]

sacrificial worm shoe ................ made me smile .... peace folks

[@argh02]

A rare channel embracing belonging, and tranquility. One of m favourites! Thanks guys!

[@AcornToArabella]

Glad to hear you are enjoying it!!

[@KavishS95]

Love your work mate

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks!

[@tickytacky8078]

I'm in love with that bandsaw as well

[@harrygrey1625]

Surprised the tank didn’t explode when the slug went through. Had a local do the same thing and the explosion rocked the neighborhood. Guessing you had a lot less residual propane in the tank. Thank goodness😊

[@elvitro410]

I have no interest in boat making, but i must say your videos are slowly making me want to build my own.. Keep up the good work fellas!

[@AcornToArabella]

Good to hear! You should, there are even plywood kits you can build in a couple months!

[@timjohnson8725]

I spent summers in Boothe Bay harbour.... I love that place... Right on the Gut too..

[@waughthogwaugh3078]

Good to see you guys are still hard at it.

[@AcornToArabella]

Doing the best we can!

[@lompact3559]

I fell in love with boats when I was a toddler. I've nearly lived my entire life on the land. Lately, I've reacquainted myself with sailing. Although I will likely ultimately settle for a modern FGR boat, I'm enamored by your project. I love learning about a boat's body with you. Thank you for sharing your experience with me.

[@Richblondin]

You all do amazing work.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks!

[@63256325N]

Lamination's are incredible strong given the glue up is done right. That is critical. (glue up) Thanks for the videos.

[@AcornToArabella]

True! We will use resorcinol again and make sure we have tight fitting joints.

[@SVSeeker]

Oh Snap! I forgot to put a "worm shoe" on my boat. :) Thanks for the education.

[@AcornToArabella]

Haha Yeah you don't have much worm fodder on your vessel, but we don't need to worry about rust! Wood, steel, plastic, they all have their pros and cons =)

[@SVSeeker]

Rust? I don't see any rust! :) Keep up the great work.

[@Gottenhimfella]

@@AcornToArabella I think this ties in with the question of why the underside of your original iron keel was drawn with a rounded bottom. My understanding is that the reason this was done was to minimise the area whichwas unable to be antifouled when the vessel was "dried out" to sit on the keel. Lead is not suited to using this cross-section on a boat like yours: it is too soft to support the weight of the vessel with (theoretically) only "Line contact" with a hard bottom, without deforming. And the second rationale for a worm shoe is related to this problem: regardless of profile, it is not feasible to paint the entire underside along the midline unless the boat is hauled on a cradle, which is costly (the first rationale being the one you mention: damaging the protective layer of antifouling paint by hitting things).

[@svchineeljunk-riggedschoon4038]

No rust yet, but she hasn't even looked at seawater yet ;)

[@TopDedCenter1]

I agree the quality of your videos are getting better and better. The only advice I'd give is, more AKIVA! lol

[@AcornToArabella]

Good to hear! Alix works super hard on them. We really should get the boathouse set up so he can be out there with us this summer. Trouble is he is trouble! Damn escape artist.

[@richardk6695]

More AKIVA

[@tomriver25003]

More AKIVA

[@marcuswhonea]

Ok you now have 122 comments and it's 2:08 pst for me, I call the boat a success before it floats. Even if it has a one hour drive to the ocean. Keep it up trust me this is the most real positive comment you can get. oh la sportiva makalu boots are the shit yo.

[@AcornToArabella]

That they are! Mine (Steve) has more miles on them than I can count. I have used and abused them since 2006 when I bought them used! Thousands of miles, hundreds of peaks from California to Norway, those boots have seen it all! The support and interest has been mind boggling. We believed we would have to get the frames in before anyone would take us seriously, we were very very wrong! Looking forward to her taking shape this summer!

[@VulcanBomber101]

My father used to use a marine adhesive/glue/cement called Beetle Cement which was cured with sulphuric acid IIRC, this was stronger that the wood itself, when used with BS1088 marine plywood, agba, teak, oak etc. He tested batches by burying glued pieces in the ground and checked them after 1 year.

[@AcornToArabella]

Sounds like nasty stuff to work with. Most adhesives used in wood working are stronger than the wood fibers if glued correctly.

[@ecc1944]

LOving that band saw.

[@AcornToArabella]

We are as well!

[@lauriegraham5924]

Wow what a nice Band Saw!

[@SailingSisu]

awesome video!

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks!

[@G_Money72]

That band saw is Amazing!

[@AcornToArabella]

Yup! They don't make em like they used to!

[@denisefaith6653]

In the mens shed I belong to here in Australia we have one simpler that was built in 1929. We refurbished it and cut logs with it as well.

[@AcornToArabella]

This one is just a little older, made sometime between 1895 and 1925. I have some cherry burls and small black walnut logs it will mill at some point. It really shines when re-sawing like that.

[@joebrown1382]

Very nice video. You guys think of all things that could go wrong. Nice work. BTW as a woodworker I love that band saw. Huge throat.

[@AcornToArabella]

The saw is a beast =) The silver lining of going slow is having time to mull it all over. I doubt we thought of all the things that could go wrong but hopefully we thought of most of them!

[@petert3355]

The silver lining on the enforced winter progress drought, the guys have time to think ahead and consider any upcoming problems. Even though the guys can't progress the boat as they want.... I'll bet dollars to doughnuts they they are still thinking about it almost 24/7.

[@AcornToArabella]

You are correct, it's just about all we think about =)

[@1armedguy4]

I've seen builders put tar paper between the worm shoe and keel, seem to work just fine and yes they can pulverize timbers in short order. Nova Scotia Canada

[@AcornToArabella]

That is a common method to use tar and tar paper to seal that joint and stop the worms. Anti-fouling paint and dolphinite is just the modern version =)

[@patrickwentz8413]

Funny! I was thinking when you shot that propane tank it might go up in flames as you generally need heat (shot gun slug hitting metal might create a spark) and compression (certainly could have compression with metal on metal) to start an explosion when mixed with an accelerator (propane is a good accelerator). Slug shell worked great! Better safe than sorry! Well done and great work around to a tricky and dangerous problem! Plus you probably scared all the deer out of the neighborhood for a few hours.

[@AcornToArabella]

That it did! We did not think it would explode but were happy it was down range just in case! The grinder could have gotten it to go, those sparks are hot.

[@glenjamindle]

Oh man that bandsaw 😍😍😍

[@AcornToArabella]

She's a beaut!

[@Riprock296]

Wish I new you guys were going to be in Gloucester...would have loved to hear you guys speak about your project

[@AcornToArabella]

We will be back probably some time this winter/ early spring to speak at the TSCA again.

[@SmoothRuffian]

Good call on the shotgun slug!!! There's nothing wrong with a little entertainment value shooting.

[@erinboatguy]

on my 81 foot yacht I put Ivers felt and Henry's black roofing tar between my keel and worm shoe....the Ivers felt was like a 1/4 inch thick black course mat cloth that I got from an old timer boat guy

[@AcornToArabella]

Tar and felt paper is a pretty common worm barrier, we will probably end up going that route for bedding the keels and deadwood.

[@SailingLandlocked]

Worm shoe, very interesting. We are still waiting for the snow to melt here too. People are still driving cars on the ice. Our latest ice out is May 19th and it is going to be close to that date. Sad!

[@AcornToArabella]

Wow, sounds like a short summer season!

[@michaelvangundy226]

Your teaching skills and videography are really coming along. How's that schedule coming, is there something that you will need help with in the future? How about the budget? We can't help if we don't know what you need. Again, both of you are doing great.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks! Things are coming along well! Other than flipping the lead keel in a couple weeks we don't need help for anything and the budget is doing alright, our heads are above water =) The schedule is a bit of a wild card because of mother nature but as the weather warms it's easier to stick to.

[@RivertownWoodcraft]

Finally some bandsaw action!

[@AcornToArabella]

By the end of this ya'll will be tired of seeing that old saw run. It's got miles and miles of cutting ahead of it!

[@samthemultimediaman]

its possible to treat the wood with copper sulfate and or use copper plating to prevent rotting and ship worm damage.

[@AcornToArabella]

The usual treatment is a copper based anti-fouling paint. That is what we will use and it is very efective against rot and critters so long as it stays intact. Copper sheathing has and is used but it's heavy and very expensive.

[@Gottenhimfella]

@@AcornToArabella Even more heavy and expensive is to make the entire boat from copper-nickel, of at least 70% and preferably 90% copper (similar to the alloy used for "copper" coins). But maintenance costs are drastically reduced! (A few shrimp trawlers get built this way in parts of the world where fouling is extraordinarily rapid)

[@lukesullivan141]

Yay more intro

[@AcornToArabella]

You can always skip it. Sorry you dislike it so much.

[@petert3355]

Gas tank + 12 gauge slug + 30 feet = Beard retention policy.

[@obeast121]

wonderful thanks

[@dogstar234]

with the worm shoe, something that is done in Australia is to use Aussie Iron bark. This timber is so hard that the worms cant/ can barley bore through it.

[@AcornToArabella]

Wanna send us some? =)

[@dogstar234]

Acorn To Arabella if only...... It is a seriouly hard, dense and oily timber though, and because of this has the added effect of sinking (almost like a rock) as opposed to floating in water.

[@Josef_R]

Is this why you asked for black locust? It's one of the hardest woods in North America.

[@impirk3212]

Bob Glover. There is a name from my past!

[@fudogwhisperer3590]

Is there any reason you don't oil treat the timbers to keep them from checking?

[@simialogue]

Hi! I've only recently found your great channel & now am binge watching 'til I catch up. I do have a possibly dumb question though: when would you consider the keel to have been laid? Was that when there was the party of people bringing the unshaped beam into the boathouse? Is it when the lead keel was brought in? Or when both are finally joined? Or..?

[@MegaDirtyberty]

I have not had any problems with gas cylinders by cutting them open, open the valve and tip them upside down for a couple weeks, then take the tap off and fill with water, leave for a couple more weeks then use. I have made wood burners that way with them.

[@AcornToArabella]

Could not get the tap off and the purge valve was stuck as well. The only way to get water in was to make a hole and the slug seemed the safest way to do that.

[@snake_hole2886]

That's quite a bandsaw you have There!

[@AcornToArabella]

Yup!

[@gosha2818]

Have you guys thought about putting a live stream webcam in the boathouse?

[@AcornToArabella]

We have but it's a bunch of work to do and with how big the boat house is you would not see much.

[@Muffinshaker]

Since your lead ballast is smaller than an iron ballast, shouldn’t the center of gravities (c.g.) be in the same place? To keep the level of the boat in the water the same. Cad can determine the cg accurately. 3D model your boat.

[@pfalzgraf7527]

Finally a really good use for a gun! :D (and no, I have no objections to responsible hunting, just couldn’t resist … ;) )

[@cliff4wd]

I'm confused why you don't seal the end grain on your milled lumber? Simply painting each end with bitumen or similar, will help prevent the checking and subsequent loss of those boards as they dry out.

[@AcornToArabella]

We have used linseed oil, paint and roofing tar to seal the ends with mixed results. We ordered some anchorseal and are going to give that a try, we have heard good things.

[@jackpatteeuw9244]

Boat question ! Could the wormshoe be made out of pressure treated wood ? If that is a bad idea, how about a thin piece of lead/copper (and some bedding compound) between the wormshoe and the rest of the deadwood. Instead of gluing the wormshoe to the rest of the deadwood, attach it with a bunch of bronze/stainless screws.

[@AcornToArabella]

I have never heard of a pressure treated worm shoe, I have also never seen pressure treated hardwood. Not sure a pressure treated soft wood would be tough enough. The worm shoe won't be glued, just painted with anti-fouling paint and then covered in a bedding compound and screwed to the rest of the deadwood like you mentioned. A iron or preferably bronze shoe is a possibility although a bit pricey.

[@greggsenne1268]

What you're smelling is mercaptan. The propane flashed off when you punched the hole. FYI

[@Whitpusmc]

What is a check and what causes it? I remember you mentioning the need to coat the ends of sawn lumber to prevent checkering but if you explained checkering I missed it.

[@AcornToArabella]

When wood dries it shrinks, if it does not dry slowly and evenly it will check (crack). Checks come in many forms but are almost all caused by the wood drying too quickly/not evenly. Some woods do it more than others but all wood is capable of it. The center of the wood stays wet and is big, the outside dries and shrinks, as the outside shrinks it can't compress the fat center wood so it does the only thing it can do. It splits to relieve the pressure causing a split/crack/check in the timber. They usually run parallel to the grain but can take many forms.

[@Whitpusmc]

Acorn To Arabella perfect explanation thanks!

[@marcryvon]

Hi guys ! Love your vids as usual. Had an idea: imbedding a stainless steel or aluminium mesh between the whorm shoe and the keel ? Would it stop the bloody whorms eating through ?? Only my 2cents...

[@AcornToArabella]

Maybe but the anti-fouling paint should do the trick.

[@tl4ever262]

I hope this question gets to you.Mr Denette i was wondering, why didn't you use a copper plate behind the deadwood?

[@JakeJemas]

Hi, loving the videos. You mention cutting the pith out but it is still there at12:53. Did you cut it out later?

[@AcornToArabella]

Good eye! Did not even have to look at the video, I know just the beam you are talking about. It will get cut out later, it's just at the very end of that beam and by the time it's jointed/planed and that end is squared up the pith will be removed.

[@JakeJemas]

Bet! Thanks for explaining.

[@your_utube]

Why not use kevlar or a composite layer over the keel to protect from damage on rocks etc?

[@mayflowerlash11]

I have a small question regarding the redesign of the ballast from iron to lead. I understand why lead has been used to replace iron. But looking at the section drawing along the keel where we see the ballast from the side it seems to me that the CofG has been moved towards the bow. The ballast has a fairly constant lateral Xsection from fore to aft so the location of those little blue lines for the lead ballast suggests that the CofG of the lead could be forward of the iron CofG by 6 to 12 inches. I presume that when the iron ballast was designed some logical process was used to locate its CofG. Was the same or similar process used to locate the lead CofG? If it has been moved significantly this would have the effect of moving the bow down and the stern up, ie the waterline would rotate slightly. Come to think of it this may have been an effect you were seeking. In any case please reassure me that the blue lines of the lead ballast were not drawn arbitrarily. Building a first boat like this takes courage. As I have commented before this project is an inspiration for a generation of young people.

[@AcornToArabella]

William Atkin drew both variations so we are trusting his judgement!

[@mayflowerlash11]

Enough said. Thanks. Happy sailing, eventually.

[@bigunone]

I remember reading about coppering the bottom to fight the worms is this something no longer done?

[@AcornToArabella]

It is still done, it's expensive to do but is quite effective.

[@martinhoflich6150]

Exactly.You Know it.The best should be good enough.Man you are doing a great job 👍

[@TheDowntimesfl]

They used copper back in the old days because they did not have modern anti-fouling paint. As he stated in the video, they are using a sacrificial pieces so that if they breach that outer layer of protection they will only lose some small pieces that can be replaced anywhere in the world with a bit of work.

[@azuritet3]

this may be a stupid question but why not make the worm shoe out of... something else? bricks for instance, hockey pucks maybe, or granite? hell! you guys have lead. you could pour a worm shoe.

[@bemahoney]

Mhh... I´m not sure if I agree with you on the stiffness of that keel construction??? A longer steel keel will add to the overall stability of the keel a lot!? Do you compensate for that by using a higher "inner" constructional keel? I´m a bit concerned about the sheering forces within the lower middle section of the hull now; As the keel flexes, the hull will have to copy that movement, doesn´t it?

[@AcornToArabella]

Yes, a big steel keel adds a lot of strength and rigidity to a boat. It also can lead to iron sickness in oak and costs $35,000+ to get one made for Arabella. =( The deadwood will add quite a bit of strength, even if it is laminated and not one solid piece. Thankfully a boat is the sum of her parts and we can help to compensate in other ways. Really solid floors, a hardwood garboard plank, maybe even hardwood for the first couple planks, a hardwood sheer plank, solid tight fitting bulkheads, solid bilge bands... will all work together to keep her solid and in shape. The biggest is probably keeping a mild rig tension and not racing. Cranking on the stays and constantly pushing the boat as hard as you can puts a lot of strain on her. Many a boat has had her hull ripped apart by the rig and the crew.

[@andrewwilson8317]

I have to agree that a laminated keel should be more than strong enough. A ship is like an egg,a monocoque,and takes strength from the other components. Once it is all together it will be just the perfect combination of strong,rigid and with just enough flexibility. Being able to replace sections is a real long term bonus,keels tend to rot or get eaten away rather than fail through loading.

[@chetfoster6836]

Hey guys ... good work! Should be traveling through western Massachusetts in early June on my way to Maine! I researched stainless chain for use on a mooring and found some indication that if left under water for extended periods of time ‘stainless would rot from inside out’ due to lack of oxidation caused by the lack of presence of the oxygen in the air? Can you confirm or refute that info?

[@AcornToArabella]

We cannot comment on that one, definitely outside our scope of knowledge. Shoot us a email when you are coming through and we can probably arrange a visit.

[@SteelDoesMyWill]

Instead of a worm plate, why not put a bronze skid plate on the bottom of the keel? It would also be the ground plate since you'll hopefully be using a spike and ground cable down the mast and clamped to one of the bolts that passes through the keel.

[@AcornToArabella]

We are considering doing both. The sacrificial worm shoe and a bronze plate. The stem of Victoria has a bronze plate from the waterline to bowsprit that we will reuse so we would just have to extend that to the stern. Trouble is that much bronze is expensive!

[@peterattfield]

I was thinking why don't you put a length of lead flashing in between the worm shoe and the rest of the timber that will make a definite seal.

[@AcornToArabella]

The paint and bedding compound will work well, don't think adding lead would be that helpful. Thanks for the suggestion though!

[@christobar]

Are you sealing the end grain of your timbers after you cut them down? That will help prevent such deep checking.

[@AcornToArabella]

We are as soon as it's warm enough that the paint will actually dry. It can help mitigate checking but very slow and careful drying is the only true cure. Even then it's a gamble.

[@maxiesheba1438]

Why didn't you melt some lead in a saucepan and at the same time heat the divot with a torch, to create a local lake of molten lead, and top the lake up with the saucepan lead?

[@20252529]

Nice skimmer! I know it's a little early in the game to be talking about launching, but I'm curious as to where you're planning on doing it? It's a long haul down the pike to get to the nearest water for you guys.

[@AcornToArabella]

Somewhere on the coast. It was $1,200 to get Victoria trucked here and Arabella is just 6 feet longer so it should not be too too much more to get her trucked out. We want to have a launch that is open to all so finding a facility that can host will probably be the determining factor.

[@20252529]

Acorn To Arabella I might suggest checking out Winthrop MA to you guys. Straight down the pike as far as you can go and you'll hit the water. I've been sailing out of here for years, nice big public landing.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks for the tip!

[@jackpatteeuw9244]

Why didn't you use an iron keel ? I am guessing because you could get the lead cheap and it is easier to melt and cast, correct ? We won't see 50's in SE MI until about the 15th. Very late.

[@AcornToArabella]

We could not cast an iron keel at home and it was over $35,000 to have one cast for us. We spent maybe $6,000 pouring our lead keel. They are saying 60* in the long range forcast, fingers crossed! Once it's that warm we can proceed with no waiting on weather.

[@jamessmith5036]

Do you guys have an approximate time line for completing Arabella? I really enjoy watching the videos.

[@AcornToArabella]

Glad you enjoy them! 9,000 hours of work from now. LOL This summer will be telling, we will be full time building and videoing and won't be held up waiting for warmer temps. Until now the pace has been slow and a ton of prep so it's hard to judge the over all timeline. She floats when she floats =)

[@whipdan674]

In Thailand they deep fry those molluscs and it is a real specialty there.

[@bphenry]

12:30 - Eyes & Ears Alix!

[@MiddletoM]

the music is sounds like an acoustic version of the Planet Coaster music 12:40

[@spg77777]

"push sticks" for the band saw when your getting close to the end? I was getting nervous just watching you @13:02. )

[@AcornToArabella]

If the piece was smaller I would use them, the band-saw could get you for sure but it's nothing like the table saw or even the jointer. The band-saw bites, the table saw removes fingers and the jointer gives nasty skin graphs. It's pretty easy to keep the digits away from the band-saw and if it did get me it would be stitches not a amputation.

[@GarrethandPipa]

is there any plan to assemble a gantry. If you hurt your backs it is going to spoil your fun.

[@AcornToArabella]

We have talked about it but it seems more trouble than it is worth. The space is already tight enough without all that in there as well.

[@wokkawicca]

What is the music you're using, on this particular video at 12:10 and similar-sounding places in general? EDIT: From watching later vids in which you have listed the music at the end (thanks!), and googlng those artists, I gather you are using globally licensed content from Epidemic Sound...a very cool project in its own right. Would still love to know the name of the 12:10 track!

[@IanLConnors]

You two are pretty good at killing time to make longer videos but it's also very obvious

[@AcornToArabella]

That is actually not our intent at all. There is usually more we want to talk about/ show but if we did that they would be even longer!

[@jeffs.6488]

The music during the propane tank conversion to a melting pot, Who is that and what's the song title?

[@calvingreene90]

Did I miss them putting flux on the surfaces that they were pouring lead onto?

[@AcornToArabella]

We did not use any flux, the bond is not critical.

[@bgdavenport]

Great explanation of the wormshoe. Question is why do you not use some other material, such as vulcanized rubber, that is impervious to worms and more resilient to impact damage? Now that I think of it, polyurethane would be even better since you would make a reusable mold and pour the urethane. Of course, there is the cost....

[@AcornToArabella]

She's a wood boat, wood will work very well and is a material we know well and know will get along with all the other materials in her hull.

[@sergueiothonucci1638]

😃😃😃😃

[@patrickjaroch5084]

your doggie is gorgeous, i s he a huskie or a hybrd?

[@symbolsandsystems]

would a single steel plate running the length of the dead wood and lead keel be practical?

[@AcornToArabella]

It could be, a iron shoe is a thing on boats but steel or iron would lead to issues with galvanic action between the lead, bronze and iron. Steel/iron also are not great friends with oak, it can lead to iron sickness in the oak. A bronze plate although much more expensive and not as tough would be a better option. Victoria's stem has a bronze plate protecting it.

[@mantis0427]

Are there any more Arabellas sailing over the Sea or is she one of its kind?

[@AcornToArabella]

Atkin calls her Ingrid and yes there have been many built, even built and circumnavigated by amateurs! Blue Water Boats on the West Coast also made a fiberglass version of her for a while. Many of those glass boats are still going. She is a tried and tested design and we have only heard good things from those who have cruised on one.

[@Thefreakyfreek]

may i ask wy te lonhest part of the lead is down and en not used to mount it is it because of the weight is lower or something else

[@AcornToArabella]

The lower you can get the weight the better and that is how the designer drew the plans. We are trusting his judgement =)

[@johnmarston2527]

What worries me most is you didn't clean the lead surface before pouring that lead, regardless of the drilled holes any organic material inbetween the old lead and fresh lead is a weak point.

[@AcornToArabella]

Strength is not a issue for those, they will be pinned between the wood keel and ballast keel.

[@MarkWladika]

Why not make the aft timber and stern timber once piece?

[@AcornToArabella]

Not totally following you. Do you mean the stern timber and the aft deadwood be one piece?

[@MarkWladika]

Yes, sorry my boat terminology sucks.

[@AcornToArabella]

We could but this way down the road it will be easier to take apart and repair as she needs it. Also if we laminated the deadwood and the stern assembly it would be a lot of glue! But that is how Sea Dreamer laid up his backbone.

[@RichardHeadGaming]

He answered that in the video, It would take a very large timber, besides composites can be stronger than one piece.

[@RobFeldkamp]

Is it a New England thing, to pronounce ''Can'' this short?