Kit E31: Strip Planking the Port Canoe

This week, we finish dry fitting the strips onto the hull of our 50' performance/cruising catamaran, then remove half so that we can epoxy them back onto the port canoe! Our Schionning Solitaire 1520 kit sailboat is starting to take shape! So join us as we build our DIY boat build which will eventually lead to our double circumnavigation as we sail around the planet!
The S/V Lynx Website:
www.svlynx.com
0:00:00-Introduction
0:00:34-S/V Lynx Logo
0:00:49-Dry fitting the port hull strips
0:05:06-Cutting more strips & removing peel ply
0:07:20-Placing the Whiskey Plank
0:09:56-No plan survives first contact with the enemy
0:12:41-Removing on side of the dry fitted strips
0:15:99-We begin epoxying the strips back on
0:23:47-Wrap Up & Thanks to our Crew, Patrons and Sponsors

[@normanboyes4983]

It’s a start.

[@SailingSVLynx]

It sure was :)

[@helihead11]

Something I’ve seen in the past when dealing with lots of strips was during dry fitting when the strips where in place the person not only numbered the strips but also ran a diagonal line on one side and two diagonal parallel lines on the other, that quickly let the final assembly team know if a mistake was made. Good job with the info your providing, I’m enjoying it.

[@SailingSVLynx]

Funny you should mention that, we decided to do that very thing on hull #2. We are learning as we go. ;)

[@nisargjani8050]

Me and my wife watch your videos together. We got married two years ago and you are an inspirational couple for us!

[@SailingSVLynx]

Well, thanks! I'll pass that on to the Admiral, it will make her day.

[@davidantill6949]

I just really love the logic that is applied to this whole process. I sit back and listen to the selection of options and then how each step is executed. I haven't come across a decision yet that I have disagreed with and find the whole process both interesting and satisfying. I'm sure I will wish to follow this channel through to the sailing part if the same approach is taken in all problem solving issues. Congratulations on producing such thoughtful and high quality (instructional) videos. 👍🏻

[@SailingSVLynx]

We appreciate you watching, and thanks for the support.

[@robw2379]

You might want to consider for the other hull: - Cut the strips with a 5 to 10 degree bevel so that when assembled there will be a V-shaped groove between each strip. In cross section, each strip with be a trapezoid. - Put the wider side of the strip words the frame. - Do not remove the strips after dry-fitting, just fill the grooves with thickened epoxy. Seems like this would simplify the assembly process and remove a lot of time pressure. Hope this helps! P.S. Those are splines, not biscuits.

[@SailingSVLynx]

I inquired about all your suggestions (and others) at the outset, and we follow the build process recommended by Schionning Designs. Also, they call those biscuits in their plans, so we will as well. In fact, 'biscuit' was written right on the part. To change the name, regardless of what other folks call things, would not be wise as we would need to constantly translate what is called out in the plans or marked on parts, so, in our case, these are biscuits.

[@kirkb3473]

Nice work! Would be cool if maybe once a month or once a quarter, you did a summary segment to your video of the total labor hours you’ve spent so far so you can accurately understand how much time you have in to judge progress vs the estimated 6,000 hours they say the kit takes to complete. 👍🏻

[@SailingSVLynx]

Sounds good, we'll try to do that.

[@edwardlefkow3442]

This thing is an adventure.....I've learned a ton (so far) Thanks

[@SailingSVLynx]

You're welcome! We learn every day we work on the boat!

[@gonesilent]

The planking is going much faster vs I would have guessed. Your making your first build look easy.

[@SailingSVLynx]

Thanks, it isn't easy, but we do plan to stay on schedule.

[@davidnichols147]

You & the Admiral have inspired my wife. After viewing this episode she wants to build a West System, 18ft canoe for camp. Thank you both for this marvelous introduction to strip building. It's a huge undertaking, yet we are sure your finish product will be a delight under sail. Thanks for sharing!

[@SailingSVLynx]

Well, thanks! We wish you and your wife the best of luck in building your canoe.

[@OurNewLand]

Great job, guys! I am really enjoying watching you excel with this project. It's coming together nicely.

[@SailingSVLynx]

Thanks, we're muddling along, but getting better as we go.

[@DanielMashonkin]

Unbelievable how quick it goes forward. It was nothing before and now there is like a whole canoe! Thank you for detailed video. Rarely seen every single step recorded with comments.

[@SailingSVLynx]

No kidding, right? We are happy with the progress so far. :)

[@catamaraniablogcatamaniac8833]

@@SailingSVLynx I am seriously. I know it takes blood and sweat. Takes me many weeks to build my trimaran floats. Even if I have everything prepared sometimes I gave up and leave project for a while. Because psychologically hard to drive all this. Mistakes to deal with and unknowns just always trying to bring you down. Well you have great crew to spread the load! Wish you enjoy this project and keep us curious!

[@robinengland5799]

Wonderful work!! I sure admire your skill and determination on this large project!!

[@SailingSVLynx]

Well, we are determined, but skilled? That is coming along as we learn. But, I am a firm believer in just jumping in and figuring out stuff.

[@dc1544]

Awesome. I do agree with starting at the top which is really the bottom when its flipped over. I am watching this closely because everyone else building a cat that part was already done for them. keep up the great work you are an inspiration to us why a couple years under our belts.

[@SailingSVLynx]

Will do! And thanks!

[@morgananderson9647]

You guys are a great job!!! I want to give a HUGE atta-boy to you and the Admiral for documenting this so well!!! I completely dig seeing how everything is coming together. Thank you for bringing us along! Have you considered setting up a PayPal donation option? This way it would give you guys a much better % of funds going directly to you. I think this could be helpful for people who would like to make a "one-time" donation like me. I just want to see you both get the maximum return for all your efforts! Thanks again, M-

[@SailingSVLynx]

I will look into that, thanks!

[@jakobtheinventor]

Looks tough squeezing the ziploc bag with epoxy. High risk of a gaining a 'tennis elbow'. From experience, may I recommend that you use i.e. a DeWalt electric caulking gun that handles bags: You can easily roll and insert a filled bag in the gun and the plastic nozzle can be reused when the epoxy is hard. It can save you sooo much stress when applying the thickened epoxy. 🙂

[@SailingSVLynx]

I'll look into it. Thanks.

[@martinmicheal4595]

Costs probably quit a bit with all your doing

[@jacksbackable]

Great work!👏

[@SailingSVLynx]

Thanks, we're giving it our best!

[@robinhodgkinson]

Yep, done plenty of pumping on those west system pumps. And although convenient they’re also slow, especially when you have to do it 500 times… which I’m sure by now you’ve discovered! Weighing is good, but I found the quickest and simplest was just to pump out the required number, mark the plastic cup for both epoxy and hardener, then just pour to the marks. West system is tolerant of small variations in the mix - you don’t have to be super accurate. I used this method throughout my build and never had a failed cure. Keep up the good work. Cheers

[@SailingSVLynx]

When we get to larger mixes, no doubt we will do that. Right now, we're using 1 to 30 pumps, mostly less then 30, so it isn't a big deal (yet).

[@robinhodgkinson]

@@SailingSVLynx By 500 times I meant 500 mixes. Even 30 pumps per mix sounds like slow work! : ) Although it also depends on your temperature - looks like it’s pretty warm where you are. If I was building another I think I’d look into those double pumps. One pump adds both epoxy and hardener in the correct proportions in one go. I always thought they looked an excellent idea. Cheers

[@carlhill3068]

I know it's just another clump on an increasingly large pile wheat to be chaffed but, adding shorts to your channel helps with the algorithmic servitude one must adhere to for channel growth. Looking good. Any news on when your kit will be available? Thanks in advance.

[@SailingSVLynx]

It's a thought. But I need sleep! (no joke, you should see my schedule.)

[@PopsGG]

Thank you so much for documenting this so well. After watching most of your videos leading up to this, I was strongly considering doing a kit catamaran like you. Now I am 100% sure...that I will NOT be doing this. Good luck =)

[@SailingSVLynx]

Lol. It is a big job to take on, but if you don't look at the entire thing, and just consider what you have to do in one day, then do that, it will all get done in the end.

[@PopsGG]

@@SailingSVLynx I admire you guys, keep up the great work!

[@RachaelSA]

South Africa!!! W000t

[@SailingSVLynx]

I hope to visit there on S/V Lynx one of these days in the future. :)

[@alqubes]

you gotta risk it for the biscuit

[@SailingSVLynx]

:) Biscuits have been a pain in the biscuit, but we soldiered on.

[@crazyg74]

Looking good crew! Have you thought about, or looked into getting an epoxy dispensing and/or mixing machine? There are various types, the most simple being like the guy from the Duracell Project is using. It could save a lot of time over the course of the project and perhaps pay for itself (you'll wear out several sets of those W.S. pumps!) 🙂

[@SailingSVLynx]

Yes, we have, and still are, looking into one :)

[@svlamancha9877]

👍

[@SailingSVLynx]

Thanks!

[@dimabrinza]

I assume you will use Vacuum Pump Epoxy Infusion ?!?

[@SailingSVLynx]

Sort of? All of the panels were pre-laminated on both sides using vacuum infusion, but the rest of the work is hand layup.

[@sailingsomeday5975]

Nice job - sorry for the logistical snag- Wondering how your off grid power is working out?

[@SailingSVLynx]

It's working great! We haven't even begun to dent the batteries yet (2% a couple of times, but the solar is charging the batteries wonderfully). We'll get to a better stress test when we get to power sanding the hulls.

[@mochifanta]

This seems like the messiest and most nerve racking part. How easy is it to fix any mistakes? Do you have extra planking?

[@SailingSVLynx]

We think that this is, by far, the most difficult part, and we had to do it first (as rookies). And though we made a few mistakes, I will say it has gone easier than expected. However, we are only 1/3 of the way through. Yes, there is some extra, and we can fix mistakes as needed. It is only foam, fiberglass and epoxy, so it can be repaired. Hull #2 will go much more smoothly.

[@allenlong1445]

I don't want to sound negative about your videos, BUT @6min mark you guys start peeling the peelply off. Can you confirm you just pulled the peelply off as it looks like the top layer of fiberglass and the peelply coming off. Can you guys do a close up or something to show the top layer is still there. I'm a new sub and loving your build so far keep sharing and I'll keep watching

[@SailingSVLynx]

Yes, I will show you that in one of the next videos since we are doing more peeling next week. But to answer your question, there is only peel ply on one side and peel ply with a coating over on the other side that might make you think we were pulling the laminate, but we weren't.

[@leonply]

Every single one of those tapered end cut pieces are going to come in very handy, when you're nearing the and of the build. They're great for an incredible number of jobs and will help to cut costs. An enjoyable video!! Thank you for sharing. Oops... Almost forgot to ask. Did you add an extra layer of the tape on the form edges, in order to keep any extra epoxy out of the holes from the dry fit?

[@SailingSVLynx]

We have added tape as necessary, if it wasn't in great shape. Tape is cheap. :)

[@jmalte4702]

I would use pre set mixing cups instead of hand pumping… less strain and way quicker…

[@SailingSVLynx]

As we get to larger batches for laminating, we will do that. :)

[@TBloodFPV]

4:22 skin that cat!

[@SailingSVLynx]

Headed back to do just that, in a few minutes.

[@rogerwa123]

Can you use these port strips as templates for starboard or does that need to be custom?

[@SailingSVLynx]

Sort of, yes. We shot pictures of how we laid out the port canoe which will help us move faster on the starboard, but some cuts it is just easier to measure and cut, as we showed in the video.

[@sergueiothonucci1638]

😃

[@SailingSVLynx]

:)

[@user-nq4cj8ug3s]

I just tell workers to stop working on the house build 15 minutes early everyday to clean up the build area. Cause I'm to lazy to do it, not really, I'm retired and can't get around very good. Clean and tidy is good.

[@SailingSVLynx]

We do that every day as well, but there is clean and then there is the Admiral's level of tidiness. :). We will all need to be that tidy once we set sail.

[@gregoryh4601]

Sir. Will you be vacuum Bagging the Hulls in you Catamaran? May be a little more work but less Epoxy use! Also Sir did you know that you can add dye to your Epoxy to color the Hull? Last have you thought of getting a Fiber Company to help cover your Fiber material cost like using Kevlar Fiber for the Hull ? There a Company that could be a good sponsor and you just advertise for them? Good luck hope the weather don’t get to Hot for the Epoxy .

[@SailingSVLynx]

The panels used to strip plank the hulls were already vacuum bagged at the factory. No further vacuum bagging is called for in the plans. We just follow Schionning's design, it makes a light, strong, performance cat and they have been doing this for 35 years. All materials to build the boat have already been procured, most were part of the kit. We are using basalt over the hulls. I hope that answers your questions. 🙂

[@gregoryh4601]

@@SailingSVLynx you Don’t like to Add Kevlar Fiber to your Hull? Did you not take the peel ply off the Foam core? Just trying to protect the Hull and make it Stronger. But it your Cat.

[@SailingSVLynx]

@@gregoryh4601 peel ply is just a silk like cloth made to be removed to create a nice bonding surface, not the fiberglass laminated layers that were vacuum bagged to both sides of the foam. We chose to use basalt over fiberglass, kevlar, or carbon fiber, each for different reasons. We will go into that in a future video.

[@bill2292]

I've seen strip planking where they screw down all the planks then use a router and make a V groove, then apply epoxy with filler. Did you consider this technique? Keep up the good progress!!

[@SailingSVLynx]

We are just following the instructions of Schionning Designs, since they make the kit and have 35vyears of experience building these cats.

[@RainerSchrom]

I wonder why the manufacturer would not cut the shape needed out of a large panel. When you laid out all the strips on the table next to each other, one could imagine them all being one piece with wedges cut out between strips from each side with the waterjet they have.

[@SailingSVLynx]

I've wondered why they didn't cut the strips for us as well.

[@tommussington8330]

Would it be an advantage to only remove 4 or 5 strips at a time then you coiuld wedge the upper one against the lower ones in stead of the props¿

[@SailingSVLynx]

The issue is drip. As we put strips up and squeeze the epoxy out it drips and would land on lower strips at times. But keep thinking and suggesting solutions; we don't think of everytthing! And yes, some has hit our clamps at times, but there is far less target to hit.

[@tommussington8330]

@@SailingSVLynx if you left peelply on lower strips that would contain some mess use the used peeled peal ply to cover the edges for that are exposed

[@dalgamor]

@@tommussington8330 It's not really an issue. The clamps work well and allow us to adjust the height of nearly all to a comfortable level to apply the epoxy bead.

[@tommussington8330]

This might be off the wall what about 2 seperate shippments on 2 seperate ships one with hardner ther with epoxy?

[@SailingSVLynx]

Schionning said it didn't matter. Good news, it has shipped! (We'll talk about that in the next video).

[@kptbillburkett8735]

Doing a Great job. But I still say it well take you 3 to 3 1/2 years to be done and in the water. Now if I was you I would contact "Total boat" for your Apoxy needs. I found there Products are very easy to use and I believe If you contact them they may help on the price of there Products. If not free of charge. That may keep you on time and Budget. So keep up the Good work and I will be here on my lanai waiting for the video. So until next time, Aloha from the Big Island of Hawaii!

[@SailingSVLynx]

Total Boat is already a sponsor of S/V Lynx. :)

[@kptbillburkett8735]

@@SailingSVLynx Ooo?! Sorry I must have mest that. I need to go back and watch again. And see where I mest that.

[@kptbillburkett8735]

​@@SailingSVLynx "West systems" is different than "Total Boat" . Two Different companies. You may want to look Total Boat up. They can make it way easier to work with. Now they are a few dollars more, but the time it saves you on prep and the more work time you get with the product is well worth it. And it is a lot easier to work with.

[@SailingSVLynx]

@@kptbillburkett8735 As I already mentioned, Total Boat is one of our Sponsors, as is West System. There are many types of epoxy, each has specific uses, and there is no one type for everything. The laminating epoxy we are waiting on cannot be replaced with Total Boat or West System epoxies. There is a list at the end of each video listing our sponsors, in case you are interested.

[@Mrcaffinebean]

Perhaps a silly question. Why use epoxy on the foam? Wouldn’t a cheaper glue serve the purpose (since the foam isnt structural)?

[@SailingSVLynx]

The foam is structual and epoxy is far stronger. Just because we will reinforce the strip planking with basalt does not mean that the strip planking is not part of the strength of the hulls.

[@Mrcaffinebean]

@@SailingSVLynx gotcha! That makes more sense now

[@mckenziekeith7434]

Sorry I haven't watched all your videos yet. What is the strip material? Is it a PVC foam or something? Or PVC with fiberglass on the outside? Also, some experts do recommend that you sand after removing peel ply. I am not an expert. But what the experts say is that the peel ply has a release agent on it. Some of that release agent remains on the piece after the peel ply is removed. I know you have already put fiber on the hulls. But I felt I might as well mention it here anyway.

[@SailingSVLynx]

The panels are made from structural foam core that is closed-cell, cross-linked, and vacuum bagged with multiple layers of fiberglass on both sides. We have read many studies on peel ply and will sand in any areas that have a lot of stress, like where the chainplates attach. For example, the entire port canoe was sanded prior to our basalt being applied over the peel ply surface.

[@JohnLee-im7iu]

Would be nice if the South African people would let you buy your materials in the USA and take that off the bill.

[@SailingSVLynx]

Unfortunately, the specific materials I wanted to use were only made in South Africa at Advanced Materials Solutions. Schionning doesn't force you to use their materials, in fact, they offer three different companies for you to choose, or you could go find one yourself. Schionning Design sells the plans. You may source everything else.

[@behrensb1]

Please see my comment on the kit e22 video, i posted there by mistake. Regarding your epoxy measuring.

[@SailingSVLynx]

Got it, thanks.

[@markthomasson5077]

Why dry fit, why not epoxy as you fit? Why not use wider strips for the flatter areas, ie to the top of the hull…oh I just watched an earlier episode, see that is the case. Perhaps the epoxy between the strips are structural. When you had epoxied the strips, did you get any creep, or did they alight in exactly the same place All the best with your massive project, you are very brave!

[@SailingSVLynx]

We needed to alternate top and bottom to meet on the middle while dry fitting to make those odd pieces in the middle, but when putting the epoxy o, we want to go top to bottom. So dry fitting first worked better. And, Schionning told us to do it that way. 😉

[@seyfyildiz]

Can you write me exact name ,brand,thickness of the strıps that you use ın building please?

[@SailingSVLynx]

Well, they didn't come in strips. If you watch the videos from that time, you will see that they came in large 27' x 9' panels and we had to rip them down to the size strips we wanted. I believe these panels were 20mm thick, though they sell them in various widths. The company was Advanced Materials Solutions in South Africa.

[@seyfyildiz]

@@SailingSVLynx How that material is called?Foam?Balsa core foam?What ıs the name?

[@SailingSVLynx]

@@seyfyildiz Foam, with fiberglass on both sides already vacuum bagged on.

[@seyfyildiz]

@@SailingSVLynx how it is called as a product?I will get in contact with manufacturer to buy for building a cruising trimaran in Turkey.

[@lynkpaul2171]

If the epoxy system from south Africa is delaying the project that much and it sounds like it won't ship till some hands get greased and I'm betting that is the cause if the delay, why not use the boat building epoxy systems available inbred US, like west systems it total boat. Are they not good enough for this project? Basalt cloth? Weigh the cost in delays verses the cost of local materials and increased cost of foreign material over time along with increased shipping cost. Also due to delays, it will set back the procurement schedule for other materials and their order time and delivery. That puts a new dent in your scope, timeline and cost to added increased material cost over the extra time. This also impacts your schedule and completion along its critical path. Yeah, I'm a project planning consultant and I've seen it all too often. The reason we spend sinning time and effort planning, is to mitigate the risk of failing or the time and cost over runs due to delays and force majure. One if the biggest delays in a project is the import if foreign materials. They always lie or misquote delivery dates and from experience, we have tomorrow for that and for a more realistic date and plan for it in our schedule. Innevery project, there are always scope changes due to the situation presented over material availability and in time delivery. Many times you need to make decisions and the necessary but right structural changes to achieve the same goal withouy shifting your other constraints like time and cost. Remember, this ship, should not exceed 18 months but you may have an additional 6 months for all these delays, finishes, rigging, outfitting, snagging and commissioning. Don't be afraid of giving suppliers deadlines, even if they were supposed to supply materials as part of a kit. This is a project, a very costly one and should be run like one. I hope your contract has a defects liability clause in it for the suppliers of the kit. I'm sure you both did your due diligence and have it all covered, never mind me, I'm just trying to be relevant. Carry on.

[@SailingSVLynx]

Not all epoxy is the same, we cannot use Total Boat or West System epoxy for lamination, even though they are both sponsors of our build. They do not have the correct properties. The delays in shipment will not delay our project just reorder some things. I am also a project manager by trade, among other things, and have run several companies. So. I know how to get things done. And, on that note, the Sicomin laminating epoxy is now on the cargo ship and on its way here. :)

[@SVMatcha]

Frustrating about the epoxy. Too bad you can’t cancel that part of the kit for a refund and find an alternative supplier like Total Boat. They seem to help a lot of boat building channels with sponsorship. Anyway, things progressing nicely!

[@SailingSVLynx]

Total Boat is a sponsor of our project, but, unfortunately, they don't make laminating epoxy, which is a different animal.

[@SVMatcha]

@@SailingSVLynx hmmm. I'm a little confused then. There is another boat project channel called the Duracell Project and he's using Total Boat for all of his laminations. Seems to be working well for him.

[@SailingSVLynx]

I can't speak for them, but Schionning Designs makes this kit, and require a laminating epoxy for specific parts. There are different properties for laminating applications than when gluing. Things like bulkhead attachments and tabbing can use Total Boat's epoxy (we are using West System) but laminating a large surface has different stresses. That's why there are so many types of epoxy made for different applications. They have a whole range of parameters. We are using Sicomin for lamination, but they make many different types of epoxy. Pro Set was another option, but it was expensive.

[@cryptoscalpers9603]

sorry....too much talking and telling of unecessary things.....I won't subscribe here just yet.....I will watch the next couple of your vids to see if the content improves. Good luck.

[@SailingSVLynx]

No worries, we know we can't please everyone. :)

[@MrZeddy100]

So will this build use polyester resin for the foam?

[@SailingSVLynx]

This boat only uses epoxy, it is far stronger, just more expensive.