| BLACKBERRY Photos of prototype [hull # 1] |
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| < This is the first photo that I took of the "BLACKBERRY", it showes the temporary building frames that are used to hold the hull shape while the "stitch & glue seams are curing. I used epoxy putty and 6 oz. 4" fiberglass tape on all the inside seams. The outside joints were sealed with the 4" fiberglass tape after sanding a 1/4" radius. |
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| ^ In this photo you can see the butt joint where I joined the plywood panels using one layer of the 4" fg. tape on the outside and inside. At this point I have also removed the temporary frames and replaced them with temporary spreaders to retain the hull shape while installing the inwales and gunwales. |
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| <This photo shows the hull ready for paint. Before painting I would suggest that the hull be floated so the proper location for the oarlocks can be located. The location of the seat is still to be determined at this time I also installed a Cypress skeg on the rear of the hull (36" long X 1" at the front tapering to 3" at the rear). |
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| Ed Jones in BLACKBERRY at local lake > |
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| < John Bell designer testing BLACKBERRY. |
| In my opinion the BLACKBERRY is an excellent boat for the first time stitch and glue builder, it is light in weight (about 50 pounds), stable and agile. It would be excellent for the solo fisherman who wants to slip into quiet fishing spots on small lakes. The BLACKBERRY can be loaded into the back of a small pick-up truck or loaded on top of your car by a single person. The boat can be easily built by a single person in a few days of fun boat building. |
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