Covering Boards, Finally Installed - Episode 225 - Acorn to Arabella: Journey of a Wooden Boat

[@ateliedemaquetes.aereoenav4894]

I am very happy that there are still shipbuilding, naval art and seamanship. I love all this, I am a merchant sailor, naval designer and model maker, it makes me great to know that you give young people opportunities to work in naval carpentry. greetings sailors... 

[@csoanes01]

I always love how Steve is never afraid to get stuck into drudge jobs like cleaning up the bronze strapping - sign of a true leader not a manager!

[@dcallan812]

Yep nice see he can do all the diffrent jobs on his boat. When I worked up to be a manager I said to myself I would never ask anyone to do a job that I woulndt do. I offen did the menial work just to show I knew how too actually do it. Too many bosses turn into pen pushes only coming out the office to moan. 👍👍

[@timconway2810]

Given that it’s his first and possibly only boat build, it’s be a shame if he didn’t try to get his hands into everything to some3 extent.

[@domdraper3221]

Did he win the lotto, or are those people volunteering? Or does he do it based on donations?

[@timconway2810]

@@domdraper3221 pretty sure KP is employed to work on the boat. Not sure bout the guy with the bandage on his arm

[@csoanes01]

@@domdraper3221 KP is an employee, as is the videographer/narrator (who;s name I’ve forgotten). They’re paid for by revenue from KZbin, merch sales and Patreon. When it was just He and Alix they did an ep where they went over their finances in detail.

[@AndrexT]

I realize you made the covering boards to fit the boat, but the precision in that fit is incredible, as it wood that has been steamed and bent and stretched. Well done to all. The two young interns are very proficient as well. For polishing the Bronze strapping, 3M do a Scotchbrite type drum that can fit to a drill and it polishes with a rolling motion as opposed to circular.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks for the tip!

[@nutsmcflurry3737]

I really appreciate the younger workers included in the project. They will retain more lifelong memories helping build Arabella, than six months of school.

[@AcornToArabella]

Well, school’s a different animal and important in a different way, but we’re glad to offer the opportunity!

[@mcc19606]

I just love listening to the calming dulcet tone of Ben's commentary.

[@AcornToArabella]

We do too!

[@carlhitchon1009]

Beautiful voice.

[@azbob]

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed my visit to the boathouse last week. Steve and KP were perfect hosts and I got to achieve my two goals of actually touching Arabella with my bare hands and getting a good whiff of the boathouse. I'm back in Arizona now but I can view the video with fresh eyes because I am now viewing a place that I experienced firsthand. Thanks Steve! Thanks KP!

[@AcornToArabella]

Thank you so much for coming by!!

[@claudehopper9813]

Great job Steve directing the team and getting the long boards in place , when the music score comes it was perfect timing . That's the Acorn to Arabella i wait for each week .

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks for being here, happy Friday!

[@bdelapen]

Not sure why but to me this is the episode where I feel that the corner has been turned and I can now see the beginning of the end. Congratulations guys and thanks for allowing us into this portion of your lives for all these years!

[@AcornToArabella]

Cheers to you!

[@mattevans-koch9353]

Covering boards in. A major step forward. Well done everyone. Total team work. Thank you for this wonderful episode.

[@AcornToArabella]

🙌🏼

[@ThoughtfulWander]

Great episode! Stays safe and keep rolling Arabella crew!! 👍👊🛠👍👊🛠

[@terrygrotefeld4814]

Wonderful work guys, the boat IS COMING ALIVE, you can almost see her breathing, best wishes from the UK.

[@RedHillian]

Today's episode really sounds & feels like work - Ben's amazing sound design is coming through beautifully again, with the fan noise telling us just how hot and intense the days have been in the boathouse this week. Seeing the covering boards suddenly be on Arabella after weeks of painstaking work to make them (and make them right) this evening feels like a week of hard effort from the team there - but the result is looking great. I've not had many bosses quite like Steve, but I have to say I've always appreciated the ones who lead like that as well.

[@davidc6510]

Great episode and so good to see the covering boards checked off the To Do list. Thanks for sharing!

[@AcornToArabella]

Handling what would be disastrous to break, we are VERY glad to have this behind us!

[@rogerstone3068]

I loved the section at 13:00 to 14:00 with just mundane "working on it" tasks and a bit of music. Well done, editor. Great stuff.

[@ReiMonCoH]

I like the tune during the anti fouling paint going on. Cool hook👍🏻

[@jryan3906]

Terrific work on the king plank and covering boards. Really coming together up top! Thanks.

[@markwaters8907]

good morning from Tasmania Australia

[@AcornToArabella]

👋🏼

[@georgefrench1907]

Great teamwork and great music. Thanks.

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

Dear Arabella Acorn Team. 👍👌👏 Very well done again and as always video and work). I'm eagerly looking forward to see the king plank in place. Thanks a lot for making teaching explaining recording editing uploading and sharing. Best regards luck and health to all of you.

[@direbearcoat7551]

Another milestone reached!

[@cameronstoneadams1183]

Just got back to the climbing gym after a long hiatus. Feels good to be strong again. Can't wait to get back on the wall.

[@AcornToArabella]

Nice, Cameron! SEND IT!

[@BillB23]

Yes!! Friday morning coffee and A2A!! Very hard to beat.

[@AcornToArabella]

Happy happy Friday, Bill! #a2acoffeeclub

[@gordonclark7632]

Watching those covering boards being manoeuvred into the boat house and then fitted was great viewing.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thank you, Gordon! A drop would mean disaster.

[@Tomhohenadel]

Good morning Arabella. Another great Friday morning. Thanks to the team in putting this post out.

[@AcornToArabella]

Happy Friday, Tom!

[@markschuman3615]

Good Morning y'all

[@AcornToArabella]

G’mornin! Happy Friday!

[@lenhornsey2175]

First episode I've watched since receiving my Gem set. Got out the Live Oak and Black Locust samples ....the aromas are amazing.... like I was in the workshop. Thanks for a great episode.

[@AcornToArabella]

So glad you enjoy those! I call it a “pocket museum.” A true experience, just kinda small. 😁 thanks for your support!

[@passinthru4328]

definitely a significant part of this build.

[@AcornToArabella]

SUUUUUPER important for sure!

[@akLeanne]

Can't wait to see the finished product

[@fonhollohan2908]

Nice milestone seeing the covering boards being mounted to the boat must be feeling stoked over that one. Great work Team.

[@markloegering8700]

I marvel at the massive knees reinforcing the deck structure! She will go anywhere. The bronze strapping reminds me of the hull reinforcement of USS Constitution. One note of caution, Steve.Wear at the very least heavy shoes. Even better would be boots like several of the others. Drop one of those monster C-clamps on your foot and you'll be carrying a couple of toes wrapped in ice into the emergency room. Keep up the piano construction. See ya next week.

[@AcornToArabella]

💪🏼💪🏼

[@PBarrPrince]

Teamwork! That's what I saw this episode. It's exciting to see the cover boards on. Great job. 👍❤️👍❤️

[@AcornToArabella]

❤️❤️❤️

[@garyfairbrother5532]

I’m a woodworker hobbyist and the most stressful part of any project I build is the glue-up so I was really antsy during this episode, lol. The last step that can make all the equity you have in the parts disappear is devastating on even a small little box so I can imagine how tense things were for quite a while there. A light day after is a just and well earned break. I might need one too!

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks for seeing the trickiest part, Gary! It’s nice to be recognized!

[@stevekreitler9349]

My oldest brother learned to walk on a boat! He and Mom (and possibly my 2nd brother, who would have been a tiny infant) were on the way to join our dad in Germany. He had to learn to walk all over again once they landed!

[@AcornToArabella]

Oh my goodness, thank you very much for sharing your memories!

[@dalet455]

love the parent sway....she is so cute

[@whitehead61]

When you're old and gray (grayer), you're going to be able to look across the deck of your boat and say "I remember when this was all trees".

[@Pocketfarmer1]

Have you ever heard the phrases “between the devil and the deep blue sea” and “ there’s the devil to pay , and no pitch hot” ? The devil in both is the seam between the sheer(edt) and the covering board. Good job.

[@Pocketfarmer1]

@@johnstarkie9948 quite so. I will edit the typo.thanks

[@badcat4707]

Good morning Akiva and Crew 😸😸😺

[@AcornToArabella]

Happy Friday!

[@ryan_mcme]

Happy Friday, 'bella fam! ☕

[@AcornToArabella]

Happy Friday!

[@peterplouf2836]

As a retired project manager, now that you have declared a "launch" date, I can't help but run the steps to get there in my head every time you put out a video. Daunting timeline to say the least. You guys don't seem to ever be hard up for content, but a punch-list would be awesome if you could squeeze it into one of the videos.

[@oldwillie313]

Way too early for a punch list. Schedule activities would be better.

[@AcornToArabella]

We’re going to be sharing our thoughts on what “done for launch” means soon!

[@oldwillie313]

Hmmm.

[@Peter_Vidgeon]

On an initial cursory glance at all the Priority Mail boxes in the background, I thought they were the remnants of a huge pizza order. Great work as usual.

[@AcornToArabella]

That’s a bunch of these all ready to go! www.acorntoarabella.com/merchandise/wood-collections

[@Slikx666]

Another step closer. 😀👍

[@andrewmantle7627]

Another good one folks. Nice job.

[@prereed]

Excellent segment Ben. It flew!

[@Nhumba]

Riveting to watch - great teamwork. Thank you guys...

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks, Piet!

[@stevenholton438]

No rivets we're used in this

[@michellegoues1129]

I have been intrigued in the past as most to the comments which can be seen: everything is marvelous, so well done and amazing and yet I sit there some Fridays and say to myself "am I the only one thinking that things are not moving very fast and that they are not always done so well?" and this Friday someone made a constructive criticism about the lack of progress and that things could be better for the sake of the channel (and the project) and I said to myself "I am not alone!", interestingly enough the comments disappeared shortly afterwards leaving us with the "marvelous", "the best episode" "thumbs up before watching the video", even Doug from SV Seeker leaves out the negative comments, not without throwing some vitriol around, does A to A delete any and all criticism from the comment sections?

[@AcornToArabella]

Nope, I certainly don’t delete comments, unless they’re either inappropriate/rude or unrelated. Sometimes progress seems slow because we have huge weeks of a small crew doing a whole lot of work that doesn’t shine on camera. Drudge stuff like multiple coats of paint on the interior side of deck planking, for example. Milling milling milling milling. That sort of thing. You’ll see a few people saying they think it’s going slow, and I’ve always got a few things to offer about the less-than-glamorous progess that had been made that particular week. Perhaps you’re seeing positive comments because most of those folks might understand what’s *not* shown here as much as they understand what is shown. What it took to get to the place where installation is possible… it’s how some folks watch, and we’re glad for their thoughtful ways. Thanks for checking in, and thanks especially for watching. After all this prep, the decking should be satisfying for you, Michel. Cheers, and see ya Friday! -Anne

[@JBLewis]

It's great to see the continual progress!

[@AcornToArabella]

Cheers, JB!

[@dougintothesunset]

15:04 - Nice shirt . . . 😀 Thanks for the videos!

[@jeanhawken4482]

Terrific

[@thomasarussellsr]

Nothing like toothpaste to seal the covering boards 😆😆😆. JK. Great to see more progress and the covering boards going on. Good to see the first king plank getting some layout too. See you next week. Great work guys and gals.

[@AcornToArabella]

😉😁

[@troubledspirit3328]

Thank you once again Team for another brilliant episode.

[@darren-garden]

That baby was ADORABLE! Cheered my whole day up. Came on to watch some very talented crafts workers move the project I've been watching from the start on a little more. I love you guys, I have enjoyed every moment of my time with you. I will be a little sad when it's complete. I see the end coming and the beginning of a new chapter? (or maybe a new project?) Or maybe just watch you on your travels? Which would be awesome!

[@danielbutler578]

Yes, that little girl is spoiling her daddy. She will wrap her daddy and every grown man around her around her little finger and grown women want to know how she does it.

[@AcornToArabella]

Come along for our travels! Our plan is to continue the channel.

[@ShipHappensUK]

KP would love a Ryobi caulking gun! Best thing we ever bought!

[@AcornToArabella]

COOOOOL!

[@kathywrightjohnson6804]

Another amazing episode to go with an equally delicious cup o' coffee! It's nice to see that you do keep every detail as precise as you did in the beginning. You haven't bolted each piece onto the boat till it fits perfectly. I love your attention to detail. It is fun to see the days on your calendar drop each number. Adds to the fun. Have a great week and stay as persistent as the baby trying to get that microphone!

[@AcornToArabella]

Happy Friday, Kathy!

[@philparmenter53]

Greeting from Devonport in Plymouth UK

[@AcornToArabella]

Happy Friday, Phil!

[@nickhubbard3671]

Good teamwork!

[@johnlinehan9053]

Now you can see how beautiful her lines are.

[@JenkinsBoatWorks]

Come so far!! Congrats on the covering boards.

[@mitchdavis8687]

Looking good!

[@clarencehopkins7832]

Excellent stuff bro

[@HaroldKuilman]

Happy Friday to the whole team!

[@AcornToArabella]

Happy Friday, Harold!

[@rick91443]

Thought it was just Thursday; lucky find, just about to run out the door. I t will just have to wait....cheers...rr Normandy, Fra.

[@AcornToArabella]

We’ll be your calendar when you need us, Richard! Allons-y! 😁

[@rick91443]

@@AcornToArabella I guess that's the definition of being "retired." Great episode!!!

[@marshallmurrell4583]

Interesting video trick at 13:45 --running it backward. Someone was having fun.

[@EricRush]

Not backwards. Painting them white.

[@AcornToArabella]

Ben’s always having fun!

[@jimbenning2814]

Inquisitive question. Assuming all the planking will be made watertight with cotton caulking/corking, why did you choose a liquid caulk to glue/seal the covering boards? Not criticism but interested in you thinking for this joint

[@10Briguy]

Why not?

[@ReinoGoo]

It is to protect the cover boards from fresh water. They need to last a long time.

[@AcornToArabella]

The deck is a system, the hull planking is a system, and where those join is a bit of a different joint than those that are caulked and compounded/pitched.

[@dannettebouchee9887]

Like a well oiled machine working together to move that long board into place. Nothing like the 3 stooges episode where Curly kept swinging the board hitting Moe and Larry

[@AcornToArabella]

This locust is too precious for slapstick! Hahah

[@roberthoepfl4513]

G day Happy friday

[@AcornToArabella]

Happy happy Friday, Robert!

[@tracyb1577]

Happy Arabella day everyone!

[@AcornToArabella]

Happy Friday, Tracy!

[@haroldmclean3755]

Going Good Going Good Going Good 👍

[@AcornToArabella]

Cheers, Harold!

[@budschermerhorn6062]

Good Morning from Sandwich, MA

[@AcornToArabella]

Happy Friday, Bud!

[@sailingcitrinesunset4065]

Nice video

[@AcornToArabella]

Cheers!

[@MrMichaelcurran]

A lot of work was done to make the covering boards as you like it, Congratulations. Kinģ plate next, aye! It was good to see your friends 7 MN old baby. She even looks like him, minus the beard.

[@AcornToArabella]

Lil peanut!

[@Nick-ye5kk]

Greeting from a dry UK - we need rain!

[@AcornToArabella]

Sending garden-satisfying thoughts, Nick!

[@mblaber2000]

In the video beginning, I thought grandpa was building a roller coaster... :)

[@AcornToArabella]

😁

[@rodneywroten2994]

looks nice

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks, Rodney!

[@Ayns.L14A]

Hi Guy's, Happy Friday!!

[@AcornToArabella]

Hey hey Aynsley! Happy Friday!

[@bren-xmotorsports55]

I'm routing for ya, but that year is gonna come quick

[@dama9150]

'I love deadlines. I love the wooshing sound they make as they fly past.' Douglas Adams

[@brianmacadam4793]

I wonder about using a single sweep covering board; wouldn't the covering board be a risk for localized damage and there should be an allowance to repair a section as required ?

[@AcornToArabella]

Yes, there is likely to be localized damage, as there is with planking as well, and in that case you cut out the damage and scarf a piece in.

[@larsjohansen9274]

Thumbs up even before I have seen the video. 🤗👍🏻

[@AcornToArabella]

👍🏼👍🏼🙌🏼

[@larsjohansen9274]

@@AcornToArabella I read somewhere that you have the fjords of Norway on your bucket list. Then you are up for treat🇳🇴

[@hershbagelstein545]

Great team work with the covering boards. All those new hands have really helped. Next up, has Stephen calculated the interior weight distribution between port and starboard? Will ballast be needed? lastly, I guess the boss hasn’t dropped any lumber on his feet-yet. Open toed shoes?

[@AcornToArabella]

Internal ballast is in the plans.

[@Blauvogel123]

The finish of round shapes like these blocks - why don't you use your lathe for that ? With a grinding pad on a very thick soft foam pad. Super fast and a way better result than by hand.

[@idontthinkso666]

Of course that's a great idea. But they've never done that, so the concept is unknown to them. Plus, if we being honest, the free labor of teenage boys makes this a moot point.

[@AcornToArabella]

We pay Adam and Aiden, but sure, when we don’t need these pieces anytime soon but rather we can work on them over time… we’re not going to use the lathe.

[@charlesolson9019]

Am I right in assuming you're going to cut back the ends of the covering boards at the bow (22:00) to match the king plank, and likewise at the stern?

[@AcornToArabella]

If I’m understanding you right… yes, certainly.

[@Phat737]

Watching you mark the lumber, is there an A to A / Steve shorthand that you use?

[@AcornToArabella]

Nope, not really.

[@dianelabelle6939]

WHat would happen if you flipped the plank and put the wide point at the back and the narrow point where it comes in contact with the covering boards?

[@AcornToArabella]

Why do you ask?

[@randolphfriend8260]

❤️

[@babymoose7576]

Any plans to meet up with Tally ho once both in the water? I think that would be cool to see.

[@AcornToArabella]

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ who knows! That’d be cool.

[@william6526]

If you would of sprayed the bronze straps with a couple coats of clear coat they would of stayed shiny for years without tarnishing.

[@idontthinkso666]

I agree. It was pointless to sand the bronze, as it will re-tarnish again. In fact, I assumed the reason he sanded it (let's not say polish) was to prep it for a clear coat. Even as he re-installed it, you could see the oily fingerprints and hand marks on it's unprotected surface. Such a waste of time. I guess they needed more content?

[@AcornToArabella]

Nah. Patina protects, clear coat requires maintenance. Giving things a buff to remove past clear coats (and to help all the hardware look at least a little similar throughout the boat, though it’s very low on the priority list) is good practice.

[@AcornToArabella]

Oh, and believe us when we say we have no shortage of work to add to the content hahahahah It’s go time, friends.

[@en4ce_]

i am watching this since well below 100 episodes i think but steve, did you ever mention the lenght and width of the boat? if so, i must have forgotten and could you tell us in a upcoming video or comment? thanky!

[@AcornToArabella]

Here are some particulars about Arabella:

[@AcornToArabella]

www.acorntoarabella.com/vessel

[@en4ce_]

@@AcornToArabella thank you!

[@billgiles3261]

Just a question - does the bronze strapping need to be bonded together for lightning protection?

[@AcornToArabella]

No, but there are wildly differing opinions on what’s even effective for lightning strikes.

[@ZigZagMarquis]

@ 12:24 Holy Postal Boxes Bat... err... Boatman!!!?

[@AcornToArabella]

They’re filled with these! www.acorntoarabella.com/merchandise/wood-collections

[@jimaffinito1809]

These videos lower my blood pressure.

[@floridalifestyleapparel5477]

Sexy ASMR on the chiseling for the Samson post and the sanding of the Butt blocks. Crazy to see the size of the boat represented by the full length covering board being hauled in the boat shed.

[@AcornToArabella]

HEY NOW! Hahaha

[@stephenrudmann6773]

What's with all the USPS shipping boxes?

[@AcornToArabella]

Check it out! www.acorntoarabella.com/merchandise/wood-collections

[@mgmcd1]

I think you all were talking about something there at the beginning of the video, but I only had eyes for the little cutey. NOT you, Steve! =D

[@WilliamTMusil]

Hiya

[@jeremymurray8631]

Why is there no overhang with the covering boards?

[@johnm6011]

Ostensibly a design choice - they are going to add a rub-rail, However I don't think that the uncut boards gave them much leeway for producing wider cover boards.

[@AcornToArabella]

It’s in the plans, plus, a rub rail will do the job.

[@dennisdownes9319]

I was curious; so I Googled it......."3M's Fast Cure 4200 has half the strength of 5200, which (with some effort) allows for disassembly of parts. A bond created with 3M 5200 may last forever, so you are in a pickle if you later decide to separate the two surfaces." DD

[@AcornToArabella]

I call it THE DEVIL’S GLUE! -Anne

[@mjsmith1223]

I used 5200 on a fiberglass boat to seal through-hull stuff. Things like radio antennae wires, transducers, rod holder mounts, downrigger mounts, etc. Once it cured it didn’t leak and it sure as heck wasn’t going anywhere. On Lake Michigan boats take a beating. I think the surrounding fiberglass would fail before the 5200 ever would.

[@dennisdownes9319]

I used 5200 to hold together an old wooden Indian sailboat.....I love that stuff.... but it can be sloppy!

[@rufusharleyrosko]

Save that king plank square cut out. Sell it, carve it, or give it away.

[@AcornToArabella]

We have offcuts in the merch store! www.acorntoarabella.com/merchandise/wood-collections

[@richardwhite4277]

I think you are building a 1000 year boat / even as good as original boat builders where they built 100 year boats

[@AcornToArabella]

Hooo! They’re not even supposed to last 100 years, but thanks!

[@dougbeers6123]

What's in the boxes?

[@AcornToArabella]

THESE! www.acorntoarabella.com/merchandise/wood-collections

[@robertrennie9454]

Haven’t seen much of Ann

[@AcornToArabella]

I’m around and about! -Anne

[@dennisdownes9319]

" I love it when a boat comes together!!" Colonial John "Hannibal" Smith (Well kind of....Hahahahahah!!).