Backyard Pirate Ship - days 8 + 9

Been a few days but I've still been keeping busy.  Keep in mind that I am on vacation so did take it a little easier this past weekend.

So Saturday I started by framing and covering the back portion of the main deck.

Well technically, it isn't part of the deck but rather it will be a cannon chamber.  With an opening leading to below deck.

I also built another ladder for this room but I'll eventually change it as this on doesn't have enough of an agnle built into it.

Yesterday I finished framing the cannon chamber as well as the doorway leading to the main deck. So structure wise, this thing I would say is 90% complete.  I do now apparently have to find a way of squeezing in a brig in this thing though.

Covered the front part of the cannon chamber to straigten things out and as you can see, Mathieu is already burying treasure.

Today the most I may get done is to get the two 4X4s I need to finish the masts and braces for the rope bridge that'll go from the bridge to the crow's nest.  Aside from that I really don't think we'll even get the tools out as it is another beautiful sunny day here and I think we may head to the beach after lunch.

Arghhh.

Backyard Pirate Ship - day 7

Another day at the shipyard.  Looking at the pics we took today my wife commented on how much got done today.  While I'm at it though, I've been thinking of sharing some useful tips that I've learned doing projects like these.

Tip 1:  Minimize you setup time.  I you spend 30 minutes dragging tools to the site every day then anoter 30 min. putting everything away, that's an hour lost of production.  In my case, I use a small garden tractor trailer.  As you can see, I can pack quite a bit in there and it ends up only taking me about 10 minutes in the morning and I am completely good to go for the day.



So if you read yesterday's post, you saw that I put in a ladder going to the main deck.  This morning I wanted to add another one going to the bow bunk.  So here is another tip, when building a simple wooden ladder, I like to use my router and make a small indentation into the side of the ladder.

This way, the weight of someone stepping on these steps will not only be supported by screws but by these grooves as well.

Here it is installed.

Now the next thing I did after that was finish framing the back door.

Then finally cam time to start covering the hull with eastern white pine.  I started with the back of the ship as when we stood on the main deck I found that the structure was still a bit wobbly.  After just these few pieces were put on, stability was greatly increased.



Then I ran out of 2 1/2 inch screws.  That box was new when I started, so aside from the 3 inch screws I use for the framing, I've already gone through 1200 screws.  So here is another tip, whenever I start a project and I am making a materials list, I always budget 10% of the budget on fastners (nails, screws, bolts, etc...).  Now you may be thinking that 2 and a 1/2 inch screws is a bit overkill, why not use 2 inch, or 1 and 3/4, reason is quite simple, it's cheaper this way.  Two inch screws are about 28$ for 500 at my closest big box store.  The same store has these contractor tubs on at 39.99 for 1200.  Not saying this would be the case where you live, but shop.  When screws can account to as much as 10% of your project budget, it pays to make sure you're getting as much possible for your money.

 

Back to the ship, things went pretty well as the day went on.  I managed to cover over half of the hull.

So tonight we bounced around some ideas on how to maximize the realestate that will be the bridge as well as directly underneath.  I think we came up with a really cool idea that won't need any more materials than we already have and will fit in quite well with my original structural plan.  I'll be working on that tomorrow then Sunday I think we may take the day off.

To be continued....

Backyard Pirate Ship - Day 6

The backyard shipyard was busy today! 

Didn't feel like doing much today so I got Mathieu to call one of his friends over and paid them each 2 big Mr. Freezes to finish the main deck.  They griped a bit about having to wear hard hats but hey, safety first.  So when they were using the power saws they didn't dare give me any crap about having to wear ear plugs either.

And look at that, they did a pretty decent job of it too.

To be honest, that pic of the munchkins up top was staged, but I did get plenty of help from the wife today.  Things went a lot faster when all I had to do was cut the boards and pass them up to her on deck.  She would start screwing them in while I was already on to the next board to cut.

That's eastern white pine on the main deck.  I'll be using the same thing for the hull of the ship.  For obvious reasons, I'm a little biased when it comes to what I use for lumber but you can't deny that this deck just looks awsome.  Can't wait to see the whole thing dressed up in this stuff.

Notice at the tip of the deck, there's a 2X2 ft opening?  That's going to be one of the 4 ways on to this deck.

Now back below, our next task was to build some usable space into the bow of the ship.

Framed it up and again covered it with eastern white pine.  Below this "shelf" is going to be some storage and possibly a hidden escape hatch, but you didn't hear that from me.

Then the top part will serve as a platform where there's a ladder that leads up into that 2X2 opening in the main deck.  And no more setting up a tent in the backyard when he feels like camping, this platform will also double as a bunk.  And WOW!  now that the structure is taking shape and Mathieu now has access to the top deck and there's starting to be some playability (if that's not a word it should be) built into this thing, he's all over it.

At one point during a break, I commented to my wife that had we built a swing set, he probably wouldn't have used it that much and that I hoped that he'd get 6-7 years out of this structure instead (he's 7 now).  She agreed but said that a few years later (after the initial 6 years) this would probably be the place where we'd catch him doing stuff that teens do, but shouldn't.  So I really do hope we have at least 7 years before having to worry about that.

Tomorrow I have at least one more ladder to build and we start covering the hull.  If all goes well I want to start framing the bridge as well.  At some point I need to get some more 4X4s to finish the main mast and the secondary mast.  I also need to get some plans over to my neighbour (the welder) for some custom metal hardware.  Until then...

Good night all.



Backyard Pirate Ship - Day 5

So I woke up this morning and told my wife I was putting the big mast in today, she said "pardon???"

So the bottom part of the main mast is in.  It's just a 6x6 PT piece that I hollowed out a bit.  I made a groove in it that a 4x4 will fit in.  My 40 year old Craftsman circular saw heated up quite a bit when I did this.  I made parallel cuts in the 6x6, then used a chisel to hollow it out.  This did take way longer than I thought it would though.

Once the mast was in, I was able to frame the main deck pretty quickly.

Ended up the evening by starting to lay down the decking but by the time I started putting tools away it was getting pretty dark so sorry, no pics of that tonight.

Tomorrow I plan on finishing the main deck, frame the front bunk in the hold and start covering the hull.  So tomorrow is the day that Mathieu finally gets to stand on deck.

To be continued...

Backyard Pirate Ship - Day 4

I know, I know, you were expecting a a post yesterday, but truth is we didn't do anything on the ship yesterday.  Humidex hit 35 degrees yesterday so I took the day off and headed to the beach.  Today was another scorcher but we did manage to start early enough in the day and got quite a bit done.

Started with the front (I think they call that the bow) of the ship.  Had a hard time getting all the angles right and had to scrap two pieces.  I wasn't winging it or anything, but I had put in the front piece and then tried to fit the 2 top plate pieces  by measuring them in place.  For some reason that didn't work.  So, I finally went back to the plan and just trusted the dimensions and angles I had calculated and lo and behold, it fit like a glove.  When it came to the back (the stern?), a few odd angles here again but I just followed my notes and everything fit.  On a side note, if anyone has a wood carving that would fit on the bow, let me know.  Doesn't have to be a mermaid or anything, just looking to add some authenticity to the ship.

Around 3 PM, it just got too hot again (Moncton had a humidex of 38).  One of the advantages of living here is that it's just 5 minutes to the beach, so off we went again.  It's a weekday so the beach was practically deserted.  Came back around 6, had supper then went back out again.  Finished top plates and put in first braces for the main deck.  We're now ready to put in the main mast.

All thru this build, we are making some slight modifications to the plan, both for practical reasons and for some creative ones too.  For one, the hold is 6 inches higher than planned, to accomodate the occasional adult pirate.  Second is a secret escape hatch that wasn't planned, but I am not at liberty to discuss it any further, for fear of being made to walk the plank by a 7 year old.

Tomorrow they're calling for 20 mm of rain.  If it starts in the morning I guess we'll be playing Legos and building toy rockets all day.  If it starts in the afternoon, I may get enough time in to put in the mast and some of the supports for the main deck.  Either way, I'll be back tomorrow with something.

Good night.

André

Backyard Pirate Ship - Day 3

Well it's almost midnight again, but I did say I'd document this project every day so here I am. 

Started off slow today and the heat definitely slowed things down.  Probably drank a gallon of water this afternoon alone.  Tools were heating up fast too, especially when I was laying down the decking.  Also need to get a new blade for the miter saw.  The one I have now is slowing me down and it jammed up a few times so looks like I may be hitting the hardware store tomorrow.

Back to the ship.  Got all the decking done today.

At one point, I mentionned to Mathieu that we would eventually put in a rope bridge that would take off from the ship and go across the stream.  Also mentionned that it would be cool because the bridge would go through the trees and overgrown brush to get to the other side.  I said we'd need to cut a tunel through the branches so the bridgcould go through.  Next thing I know, here he goes with a pair of branch cutters.  Well actually he tried the chainsaw first but his little arms just couldn't handle it.

After supper we headed back out and we started to put up the ribs for the hull.  Plan for tomorrow is to try and finish the framework for the whole hull. 

Planning for another gorgeous day tomorrow (looks like I booked the right week to be on vaca) so should put in another decent day's worth.  If all goes well tomorrow, we should finally see a something that ressembles a ship.

Good night.

André

Backyard Pirate Ship - Day 2

Day 2 is done. 

Got the last of the lumber today (pressure treated) for the base of the ship.  Essentially anything that is in contact with the ground will be PT.

By the time I had gotten all the lumber, a caramel latte for my wife and gotten my windshield fixed, it was lunchtime.  So around 12:30 we were back out there, finishing the site prep.  Took a little longer than I wanted as I wanted everything to be nice and level.

So it was finally time to start buidling.  Things went pretty good as I had designed the center portion of the boat to be done with just 2 cuts. 



So here is the frame for the base of the ship.



You can see things are moving along quite nicely.  This was one of the most important parts of the project, making sure the base was straight and level.  Now I expect tomorrow we'll be able to build the frame and I don't expect any surprises seeing as the "foundation" is laid down.

One last thing, I want to touch on that is extremely important, if not the most important part of any project; planning.  A good game plan will save you loads of time once you start your project.  The only reason why this project is going so well so far and that I only have maybe 2% waste from the lumber I'm using is that I planned ahead.  Everything from the design of the ship, the materials and the sequence of work has been planned.

I have sheets upon sheets of specs and instructions that I have given myself for this project.  Do I ever stray from the plan?  Of course, albeit just slightly.  This morning for example, I made a few changes to the plan which in the grand scheme of things won't use up much more material, in fact I basically ate into what would have been waste (scrap).  End result is that the base of the ship went from a planned 16 ft long and is now just shy of 17ft.  Anyways, that's my sermon for today, plan, then plan some more.

So once again, I bid you good evening and will try for another update tomorrow.

André

Backyard Pirate Ship - day 1

Well, today marked the official start of the build.  It wasn't planned that way but things change and I am now almost a day ahead of schedule. 

You see, today was my last day of work before vacation so the plan was to have the materials delivered tomorrow.  Surprise!!!  Truck was a day early so I had to skip lunch and try and get out early.  Good news is that I have found the most efficient and quickest way of unloading 2 bundles of lumber from a tractor trailer flatbed. 

Step 1, make sure your wife is home.

Step 2, have the truck arrive at least 30 minutes before you actually get home.

When I got home, my wife had already helped unload at least half the lumber.  Then to make things even better, Mathieu had a friend (Max) over and Max's parents just so happened to drive in when we were still unloading.  Let's just say we now had plenty of hands on deck to unload everything.

So most of the lumber is here and the gravel for the base had been delivered yesterday. 

I picked up two boxes of screws so all I'm missing is a few pieces of pressure treated wood for the base.  We haven't picked out a clor for the stain yet and I also have to go see my neighbour (the welder) for a few custom pieces of metal for the masts but we won't need those things till the end of next week.

You'll see from the pics that on top of getting most of materials today, we also managed to almost complete site prep.  Probably another hour or two of spreading the gravel tomorrow then we're ready to build.

If all goes well I'll have another update tomorrow.

Good night.

Andre

p.s.  on a shittier note, on my way home I caught another frickin rock in my windshield, I swear I'm a frickin magnet for rocks.  Guess I'm also dropping by the auto glass place tomorrow.

Here we go.....

Welcome to my attempt at keeping up a blog of my adventures in the backyard...  I have a few projects coming up that I wanted to document and share with friends so I decided to attempt a blog.  My interests are quite diverse so I'm planning to share my views and experiences in several areas.

- hobby farming (my wife's endeavour)
- fun activities for kids (our continuous efforts to provide our only child, everything life can offer)
- TV and movie reviews (I'm a pop culture junkie)
- environmental issues

And probably any other topic that strikes me as interesting.

Thursday night I officially start my 2 week vacation and I plan on trying to write an entry every day during my vacation as I have a very interesting project this time around.  I will be building from scratch, based on my own design and plans, a pirate ship playset for our 7 year old son.  So hopefully, you'll be able to check in every day to see pics and a short post on how this project is going.

So hopefully in a few days I'll have my first report from the backyard shipyard.

Bu-bye.

André