PocketShip.net

After sitting dormant for a few years and lurking around here for more years than I want to admit, I've officially decided to build a Pocketship. I swiped the credit card last Friday.

I've decided to do the customary build blog to help keep me focused and pushing forward. I've learned the process is even more immersive when I document the journey. If it can be of interest or help for other, all the better.

You can find my build blog at: Idahopocketship.wordpress.com

Many questions to follow...

Best,
Brent

Welcome to the party! I'm only a couple of months in and welcome any questions as you get going since everything is very fresh in my mind. - Drew

Congrats! A fine choice you've made!

I had a very similar mental selection process as you and here in Europe the availability of the kit locally was also a big factor.

One small advice I'd like give is that the build manual and drawings seem not to have any revisions, so all the original typos and errors are still there. Mainly look out for the position of the floor support cleat on bulkead 2. It is wrong in the drawings and hard to spot until it is too late.

I'll be following your build with interest, great blog!

Pasi

Drew,

I've been on your excellent blog and plan to follow your build thoroughly. I love to see your amazingly fast progress and your work looks excellent!!

Pasi,

Thank you for the heads up on bulkhead #2. I'll leave that cleat off until a can physically determine it's proper location in the boat. Keep the suggestions coming.

Best,
Brent

Here is one suggestion (if it's not too late):

The kit comes with 4 gallons of slow epoxy hardener, and one gallon of fast. I had the luxury of building my
boat over the winter in a heated space, and I ended up using very little of the fast hardener. On the other hand,
I used all but 3 ounces of the slow hardener. I wish I had asked them to substitute a fifth gallon of slow hardener for the fast.

In my experience, the fast hardener is FAST, and any time saved by its use is offset by the risk of a batch suddenly cooking off.
I sometimes used a mix of 25% fast and 75% slow, but I still got a pretty fast-setting mix that would be too risky for large jobs.

If I had 5 gallons of slow hardener, maybe I would buy an additional pint of fast for little jobs (one or two pumps worth of epoxy) where I
was in a bit of a rush.

Doug

Doug,

I just spent some time on your build blog. I'm amazed at the quality work that's being done here. There are truly some amazing builders out there, and you are one of them. Hope mine floats...

Best,
Brent

Here's another thing to think about before your kit is shipped, assuming you decided to buy the milled timber package:

The milled timber package contains 11 8-foot pieces of 3/4x1" cypress strips , but
that isn't enough. I counted and measured all the necessary pieces. There are a grand total of 38 pieces needed, with
a total length of about 98.75 feet. This would require at least 13 pieces of 8-foot stock, but the timber package has only 11.
(I'm not considering the 3/4x1 pieces for the sheer clamps and cabin carlins, which were in the kit, marked with their purpose.)
I made a spreadsheet that listed all necessary pieces and their lengths.

I got in touch with CLC about this issue (and sent them the spreadsheet), and they quickly sent me two additional 8-foot pieces.
I have no idea if they updated the materials list for the timber package, but it would be simpler for you and CLC to deal
with this before your kit is shipped.

BTW, unless you live near some very good lumberyards, and own a planer, I recommend getting the milled timber package.

Doug