Swallow Yachts Forum > Home Builders' Area
Storm 17 panel kit - The story so far
Ray:
That day arrived when I knew I wanted to build a 'traditional type' sailing boat. My internet search began and eventually led me to Swallow Boats. The Storm range was beautiful and the 17' looked perfect. Traditonal looks combined with modern design and materials.
They did not sell plans but mentioned a panel kit. Living half way across the world it's pointless importing and shipping things that are available locally. So I contacted Matt for more information.
The 'kit' would be all the plywood panels and parts cut to shape. It would include a detailed instruction manual; parts lists for all hardwood parts, parts list for all hardware ( screws, nuts, bolts, etc), a list of all marine fittings, reduced size plans and sectional views, and a photo cd - mainly of the rigging, interior fittings and outboard installation. The rest of the stuff I could buy locally.
My order went in and I waited for the kits arrival. I got the documentation seperately.
Some weeks later a 8' x 4' pallet arrived with a well wrapped and packed stack of plywood sandwiched between it and a sheet of protective MDF board. I had a moments disappointment that there was nothing 'boat like' in evidence and the 72mm thickness of 'boat' on the pallet was not more impressive.
Cutting off the strapping and removing the protective board and plastic wrapping revealed a much more exciting sight. Beautifully cut and shaped plywood pieces. Ten sheets of 6mm and one of 12mm. There was clearly a boat in there somewhere.
The manual is virtually a book on 'stitch & glue' boat building and tells you exactly what to do and how to do it.
It was time to start!
Ray:
I have been working on the Storm 17 for a few months now ( slow + steady) and like to believe that I am about half way through the building.
Matt has been incredibly helpful and patient answering all my questions - many of which were already covered in the manual.
I have enjoyed the pictures and comments from other builders and have found them great for boosting my enthusiasm and confidence in working through a project like this.
I will post some of my own and hope that they possibly also benefit a few future builders.
Ray:
Tools: A few basic DIY tools will get you a long way. I have drilled hundreds of poles and driven hundreds of clamping screws (cross, pan head). A cordless drill for both these jobs is great. My old battery screwdriver is too weak for much driving, but it is comfortable to use.
I bought, as recommended, an orbital sander and after 5 minutes of 'testing', I went and bought a suitable vacuum to attach to it. This makes sanding, especially the glass tape, much more pleasant. There is almost no dust with the vacuum.
Ray:
Cleaning up the panels:
I used a plane to clean up the securing tabs on the panels but it would have been quicker and easier to use a saw and a sanding block. Most of the edges end up under tape or within the gunwales.
Joining up the panels:
The scarf joins looked tricky. I used a hand plane working across the panels, holding the plane at an angle resting on the stack. Worked well for me.
Ray:
The joining jigs work brilliantly. A good idea I came across is to protect the plywood either side of the scarf with packaging tape. This leaves the completed join neater and with less epoxy/filler overflow to sand smooth. A light touch with a belt sander and the joins looked good.
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