ZTW build question

B

Bill Embacher

Well-known member
I started my build early this spring, made a lot of progress quickly, then had to take a break for financial reasons (boat building is by NO means a cheap hobby!). Anyway, I am getting back on track now, and tomorrow I am going to buy the marine ply for the hull. Once that is done, I can move onto the top decking, and the thought had crossed my mind of using cedar strips rather than plywood. I realize this may be a bit more difficult than simply cutting from ply, however that aspect does not scare me, I am working in a full woodshop, my father is a shop teacher and I have been doing woodworking from simple furniture type stuff to carving decoys my entire life....I'm up for the challenge.

My question is however, of other pros and cons. Expense, durability, weight, etc.? Would I still need to glass over cedar or could I seal it without glass? I'm sure there are a bunch of things I am not thinking of that may (or may not) make this route unpractical.

thanks in advance for any help.

Bill
 
Can't tell you about the structural aspects you request.

I built one the way the plans called, except I didn't glass the top. I like the "wood look".

I think it might be neat to do the top decking out of cedar strips though.
 
Thanks guys, maybe DC will catch this.

I spoke with a local wooden boat builder tonight and he thought it was a cool idea. He said I wouldn't have to glass over the cedar, a good paint would be good enough.
 
Bill,
Are you considering cedar for the hull and the deck or just the deck?

The ZTW is designed to be built out of plywood as I am sure you know. However, I don't see anything in the design that would concern me with swapping out plywood for cedar. It does seem a shame this idea did not cross you mind before though you could have went with more "traditional" sneak box design.

I am in the process of a cedar planked build right now and I am sure that a cedar sneakbox is not to far off in the future.
 

had to take a break for financial reasons
Click to expand...


Wedding cake is expensive, huh? You mean to say that the new Mrs E didn't confiscate all of your credit cards and checkbook after the ceremony last week? No more "your" money and "her" money. It's ALL HER money now. hehehe. But this is a different discussion for over at the Refuge, not here.....

See you tomorrow. Deke is almost done. Blew up my dryer last night and have to pick up another today. final touches tonight and hope the paint doesn't wash off in the pond.....
 
Brandon, just the deck. I think it would be a cool look, and make my boat unique. I just am not sure if its feasible or if I would be getting myself into a mess. I was on this site last night doing searches, if I choose to go the cedar route, my next question would be rather I should use wide deck planking, say 5/4s by 4 or 6, or strips, maybe 1/4 x 1?

Jim, I'm good to go for tomorrow. Wife makes all the money anyway, and she knew what she was getting into. Not long after we started dating I up and left for AK. I came home and hunted 80 days that duck season. When spring came around again I told her she had 3 choices: come to AK with me, stay here and get used to a long distance relationship, or pack her stuff for good, because I am going back up. She came with me, and lived in a tent with me for over 2 months. then I stayed another month. that was 3 years ago, now we're "official"!!
 
Bill ,

I think i would go wit the the 1/4 x 1 don;t forget you do not want to much weight on the boat you are usung a small O/B plus gear and such , just make sure you use sufficent braceing under the deck for those times you want to stand on it or whtever . just my .02



Dave M
 
Bill, Go to Chesapeake Light Craft and look at the Wood Duck hybrid kayak. Sounds like what you are talking about. I have a set of plans for that kayak and haven't built yet but if you have a ? about the instructions or build give me a shout. P.S. I hope to use thosse plans this winter.
 
Tom, thats exactly what I am talking about! My concern now is like Dave M brought up, would that be as sturdy as glassed over ply?

I hunt alot, and can be rather tough on gear, durability is an issue.
 
A 1/4" thick deck seems pretty thin. If it is not glassed and epoxied adding more thickness would add a lot of weight. Get a hold of David Clark. He's probably done something similar already.
 
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