+Zeemike1 I've never figured out why it's so relaxing to listen to other people work, haha. Especially a crackling welder when you're just far enough away to not hear any buzz, i could listen to that all day.
+jcims It's funny you say that, I was just thinking the same thing about them pouring the lead. I don't know why that is so relaxing and satisfying (for lack of a better term)
Yes, another 5 or 10 minutes of just work happening would be welcome. I look forward to these videos coming every week, I had a summer job building boats when I was in High school, I've always loved the process.
My uncle gave us a good scolding when we let his little garden tractor run bone dry out of Diesel. After he fixed it by cracking all the lines like you were doing, he pulled us on side and described what it would have been like if it had been our boat motor and we were out to sea. I'll never forget that lesson.
+Y2KMANNNN Our videos should not be seen by younger audiences. They will cause younger minds to dream, think for themselves, question authority, and what is normal.
I've just started watching your channel, i think i've watched every video so far, it's amazing how many people pop up and help out. I can't wait to see this on the water.
I finally got around to watching your videos this week after having watched the first few a couple of years ago.Great progress on a awesome undertaking.Your views on personal safety are "Spot on".Please keep up the great work and the videos as well a pleasure watching all 148 in this series.I do a lot of smaller welding projects on my channel and couldn't even imagine taking on one this big by myself.Kent
about 17 mins too short! looks great Doug and Team, Really wish I could travel out there and rig the boat and lay some welds. Thank you for the videos we really enjoy them here in VA
Only recently found your channel and its brilliant! I have watched all but todays on the junk sail boat so cant wait. I have always wanted to learn to weld so i will be buying an arc welder soonish though i wont be building a boat i will start with a BBQ as my first project after I mastered the basics. Thanks for the inspiration and all the best on building the Junk sail boat.
Hey Doug, for the aluminium plank. if you put floatation under about the last four feet with a hinge, when you lower the plank down to the water, the last four feet would make a level spot to board a small boat. it would ride up and down. love the boat.
Your not alone with your thoughts and if my old memory is right, Doug did state at sometime he would have Videos ect; of the Seeker out there on the open sea with all the excited folks he gets onboard, will be a real thrill ride !!
Expanded metal for the catwalks with hinged sections perhaps.... Getting ever closer to launch! Awesome effort by all concerned, thanks for posting, John Greenwood
Amazing how the Boat is taking shape. I hope ya'll give some to this fella as my move is forthcoming. I think it's great when you think back, you stated "This Boat is being built by the internet", that's a very powerful statement and is so true with the addition of the gentleman from Austria, that's powerful stuff, welcome Marc. The entire Crew makes a powerful statement !!
Doug, if you should decide to use the expanded wire idea, you may want to construct what I'll call ankle {hand} railing, that maybe only measures height wise, say 12" inches, (30.48 centimeters.) I would use say 1.5" inch {38.10 mm} Dia. pipe. Use a pipe within a pipe setup, so either you can drop it (remove pins) and it is either flush with the walking surface of the catwalk, or maybe drops just below the catwalk surface. Or Remove (ankle railing) all together. If you should have to stow something on the catwalk surface, it would give you something to tie down / lash to. I would try to make the ankle railing all interchangeable, so you don't have to try to remember which section goes where. Plus then, when your trying at night to escape the heat of the hull, it gives you an option. This Idea comes via my day trip to a U.S. Aircraft Carrier. On an Aircraft carrier, all along sides, and back, they have netting to catch someone should they fall, but the guy who was giving us the tour that day, also mentioned that some of the sailors, when it's really hot, sleep in the netting.
Some of the older pumps had a a hand operated bleeder pump to help prime the fuel. On the fuel pump, some had low suction power because they were designed to work with a pusher pump in the tank. Meaning they didn't have the nuts to draw fuel to them from the tank and did not put out much pressure to the injection pump. Any questions feel free to ask.
Doug This may have already been resolved but if you were to weld a plate over your lead and install a thread-a-let you could fill the cavity with oil or such to prevent corrosion around the lead.
We have to wear safety harnesses (attached) when we weld 6' above ground level. Failure to wear hard hat, safety glasses steel tip boots and gloves is grounds for immediate termination. Thanks for the "what not to do" safety video.
Hey Doug, just an idea, for the cat walk(s.) Use some stout expanded wire, or use some thinner material, and use a couple of say 1.5" in. X 1.5" (38.10 X 38.10 millimeters) angle or square tubing, etc., as brace(s) between the 3 foot {91.44 centimeters} on center bracing you have already built. I would think a minimum of 2 or 3 braces per section, evenly spaced should be more then enough. My thought is, this way it couldn't collect water, and act as some type of ballast. In case it's been a long day, the 'L' part / leg, would face the ground / water surface. I've seen this used for cat walk's in some BIG buildings. Plus it would give who ever has to walk this surface, shall we say "some peace of mind," that their not going to be swimming with the sharks. :-) I know, I know, the sharks have got to eat too.
Hey Doug. I had the same thought that other people have mentioned about the expanded mesh for the catwalk... but I can see your point that it wouldn't really do what you want. I had also considered some of the nylon mesh, tied tightly over the frame, such as they use on high-end sailboats - but I bet that's probably too expensive. You're probably right, that a simple board might be easiest, but at least put some stabilizer dogs on the bottom of the boards so they're impossible to slip out of place when you're putting foot-pressure on them, pulling a rope or whatever. Anyway, there were a few things on my mind in the past week or so that I wanted to mention to you. Stuff we used to do when I was welding and building in steel-fab job shops, when I was younger. Chances are you might've already heard these things, so no worries if you tell me I wasted time telling you about them. I type fast, so it isn't much of a waste of time. Plus I enjoy typing at you. I can't afford to travel to Tulsa, so I feel like I'm contributing, even if it's only in a small way. :P Something you can do to help lining up pieces before welding, especially on sheets, is to cut a big c-clamp in half. Weld a small base plate over the cut on the screw-half, then you can make a small tack on the base plate against your work and screw the business end of the clamp down against whatever you want to push against. Usually to line up an uneven seam before tacking. This would probably work well for a lot of those times where you weld a "U" together out of angle and put a bottle jack in there to push something into place. Obviously it only has as much force as a c-clamp would normally have, but it was a standard tool we used all the time in the steel fab industry. Almost as useful as tacking on a piece of plate and pounding a wedge in to straighten out a seam. Also, when you're welding on a picking eye to hook the chain hoist to... something else that was standard practice for us is to weld only one side of the eye. You can put something like a 3 inch weld on one side, with only a small tack on the other side. Then, you can pull with several tons of force - and when you're done with it you can just hammer it from the tack side. The tack will break, the welded side will fold over and break off, and it doesn't require you to grind the welds before removing it. Very useful when you're trying to get stuff done in a hurry. Another one, when I spent a year or so lining up seams on 1/2 inch plate before we welded it together, is that you can put a hot tack a seam on a couple of plates that are out of line by as much as 1/8 inch. Then, while the tack is still red, you just smack it with a big hammer and the plates line right up. No need for the big tack-clamps, no need for tacking on wedge plates... just make a big hot tack and pound it once or twice and it lines up straight and beautiful. It's something that saves a lot of time when you're tacking stuff together and don't want to fiddle around with wedges or clamps. I'm sure there's a few other things I might remember over the next week or two. You've learned a LOT about what you're doing in the past 5-6 years, so I certainly don't want to imply that you don't know what you're doing. You obviously do. But I spent about 20 years doing a lot of ironwork and steel fab work... and if I can help out by mentioning a couple of things, then I'm glad to do so. I've been repairing houses for the past 15 years, and my memory isn't quite what it used to be, but if I think of anything else that might be helpful I'll mention it do you, eh? ;) Still, it's great to see the work you're getting done, it's great to see the boat coming along! It's a lot of fun to see how the project is progressing, and it's a LOT better than seeing what's on the stupid TV. Thanks for taking the time to upload the videos, and I'll keep watching and liking them. :D
Doug just a thought. Instead of keeping planks for walking on the catwalks., ty this. Use a aluminun ladder horizontily laid next to the bullworks held in place by two simple hings and kept there by a simple fall down lever. allways there and when needed lift the lever and the ladder falls down to walk on. It would be lite and avaible when needed
you could stretch heavy fabric mesh over the catwalk or between steel posts, like the stuff they use between hulls on small catamaran sailers. would also be a nice place to lie down when the ship is at anchor.
I REALLY like the catwalks. I don't understand the gang plank yet, so I'm curious to see how it turns out. It sounds like the engine is about 10 minutes away from first fire. Getting the air out of those lines is a mother...
Concrete reinforcing mesh would work well on the catwalks. It supports a bunch of weight once it's welded down & lets everything else pass right through. I have it on my 35ft open race car trailer for the salt flats.
walking along the catwalks, are you planning on a grab rail or handrail? maybe some loops for a safety harness.. just thinking of when the boat is in service and what you are doing on the water. As with most people here, I am enjoying and learning from your project, and I always look forward to the next video update.
When Afonso de Albuquerque conquered Malacca, the Portuguese recovered a chart from a Javanese maritime pilot, which already included part of the Americas. Regarding the chart Albuquerque said ...a large map of a Javanese pilot, containing the Cape of Good Hope, Portugal and the land of Brazil, the Red Sea and the Sea of Persia, the Clove Islands, the navigation of the Chinese and the Gom, with their rhumbs and direct routes followed by the ships, and the hinterland, and how the kingdoms border on each other. It seems to me. Sir, that this was the best thing I have ever seen, and Your Highness will be very pleased to see it; it had the names in Javanese writing, but I had with me a Javanese who could read and write. I send this piece to Your Highness, which Francisco Rodrigues traced from the other, in which Your Highness can truly see where the Chinese and Gores come from, and the course your ships must take to the Clove Islands, and where the gold mines lie, and the islands of Java and Banda. - Letter of Albuquerque to King Manuel I of Portugal, 1 April 1512. 👇👇👇👇👇👇 en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djong_(ship)
moving right along! was kinda funny watching how much the poor trucks's springs decompress as you lifted off the lead.... will the catwalks be strong enough with just the welds on the pipe themselves or will they need diagonal bracings of some sort?
Great as always :) the other day i had to bleed out the diesel system on my car and what i did was i took a big pnumatic air cyllinder and used it to make a big vacuum on the returnline of the system. I tried the thing with thightening the pipes as it runs but that didnt work for shit. Make a vacuum on the return side of the pump.
Boy howdy I love when you post a new video. Question - why not make the pilot house narrower so you wouldn't need the catwalk? What I mean is, if there was a 30 inch space between the pilot house and the existing railing, you could walk all the way around the boat and stay on the deck.
I have watched all your video's you have done one hell of an awesome job. On this boat. Keep up this great work. Can't wait to see the end result. :ppls great from here. Cheers
it is wonderful to know that 'wild eccentrics' are alive and well, and living in the USA, I just hope that eventually you are not seasick and can afford the harbour dues, PS a useful bit of information 'apparently on the other side of the Atlantic the harbour bouys are set out the other way round (if you are thinking of visiting )
Once again Impressive!! INstead of haveing to through a plank on the catwalk have you thought of aluminum grate section hinged tha could be folded and secured up against the rail??
New to this channel. Seems like you have loads of fun. A few tiny questions you no doubt have excellent answers for. Keels in sailboats tend to have a significant support to the framework of the boat. I kinda seem to think in this case the keels were simply welded to the side. And now they are made more heavy. Is there any chance they would break off? Also, what is the future plan? Float around the world? What are your plans on things like toilets, kitchen, bedding and all those other things that make a boat livable.
Yes there is a change the keels will break off. Life is an adventure. If that does not happen then we will be a free research vessel for scientist that also seek adventure. And we'll work out the details of the interior as we get there.
SV Seeker I would weld on some extra just to be sure. The issue here is arm. The base of the keel, where it is welded, seems to be about a foot. The length of the keel is something like 10x that. Hence whatever force will hit the keel it will multiply by 10 on the welds. And that means hitting some sandbank with some force might directly get serious. Keels in the middle of the boat will make the boat roll over. In your case they are under an angle and stick out, so that means that hitting something will be followed by a buildup of the full weight of the boat. And I doubt that be a good thing.
As always interesting content and very impressive video editing! It is a great pleasure to follow the project. Very inspiring. Regards from Denmark, Frederik
Thanks for the awesome video this is my favorite channel! Im not a sailor, or actually i never seen a steel sailboat before, but isnt is possible to just weld some rings on the roof of the pilot house, so when the boat is moving on the ocean and u have to go over the catwalk you can just get a safety harness and tie yourself to the pilothouse? So then you would'nt need to lay planks all the time u wanna walk there. It was just a strange idea what entered in my mind when i watched the video.
+horogandris ...and it is a good idea. Once the dragons are up we will build hand rails that go down both sides, just below the windows of the pilothouse.
SV Seeker Looks very nice in my mind. Steel rings with neon colored rope for visibility? Plain steel handrails tend to be very slippery when waves spray on them and hard to see at low light.
You should be using Stick or Fluxcore welding rather than mig for most parts of the ship. MIG was designed for sheet metal, it doesnt penetrate as deep as flux/stick. You can see the lack of penetration at 4:40 when he was grinding the weld down. The welder was also not cleaning the metal before welding, with a non flux type welder you can get some bad inclusions and compromised welds from welding on rust. The point of the MIG gas is to prevent the reaction primarily of hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen in the weld. This makes it ideal for wind free shop work, however not so great in the field. With flux included types of welders such as stick you don't have to worry about the rust as much, or lack of gas from wind ( although its still good practice to clean the metal regardless)
yes i was thinking expanded mesh as well just think when you get the steps organised you wont need the ladder access any more also is there a reason you have not already cut the port holes out yet i am thinking it would be good venting and some light maybe its a weather thing keep the rain out .. all the best big pete
Have you ever seen Chinese bamboo sails. I read about a couple from Canada that sailed around the world and got bamboo sails in China after there regular sails ripped up . They sailed all the way back to Canada with those bamboo sails and were quoted in the paper saying they were the best sails they ever had. I cant find anything about such sails on the internet . Thought your might know about them.
As a possible alternative to a wooden plank on the starboard catwalk, how about steel mesh, something that is mostly open space, yet strong enough to walk on. I can't think of what it is called, but it is typically in a cross hatch pattern. Would still allow any waves hitting the catwalk to go through, would be self draining, and would give something more reassuring to walk on.
once had a hell of a time getting my old diesel primed up it turned out that the injector blead back line the tinny one between the injectors that serves to cool and lubricate was letting air into the suction line on the injection pump i found this by useing some clear hose i could see the air and by kinking the line could stop the flow and it started this may not be the case for you but thought it may help also try an eclectic fuel pump like an efi one to force feed the main pump this has worked for some with worn out lift pumps inside the main pump
Great work you guys are doing! I love the idea with the gang plank. Are going to give it priority, to have a better way of getting onboard even while building?
Hi, since the boat is made of steel which has weight, how do you know how much lead to poor into the keel for ballast? Great job, so much detail it's hard to take it all in!
Bleed the low pressure side first. Loosen the plug at output of fuel filter. activate the pump (or starter) until it stop bubbling. Re-tight the plug. For high pressure side, have all injector line tight and bleed one injector at time only. Bleed no 1 at first. The engine will start after 1 or 2 injectors. Be careful not to get fuel injected under your skin. If you suspect a leak on high pressure line, test it with cardboard, not your hand.
mmmmm yes... pure that lead... mmmmm yeah... hahahahah seriously every week i get more and more entertainment out of this series than any other show on tv. even if it is watching you mess up first hahahaha thanks man!!!
Another way of making those pipe miters I've seen is with a lathe, you put a bit the diameter of the pipe you're joining to in the chuck and have the pipe mounted to the tool post with a jig. Suspect it'll be way too hard with pipes the size and length of yours but might come in handy.
they also sell tubing notching jigs (which is the "correct industry term" from aviation) at most drag race supply houses (for exhausts, roll cages, etc). they use a hole saw on a drill press usually. the problem with both is the "dynamic install" you witness in their efforts. as everything is "twisted and tweaked to fit" (read that pounded and manhandled, lol), angles vary. moving your head a little when you line up the saw cut changes the length a little. it's not like a chopper frame, where you have a full size blueprint to lay each part on, and "bench fit". what you witness here is why EVERY boat is just a little different from it's sister, even if the keels were laid the same day, and always have been. if they were building a dragster, or a plane, they would be butchers of the highest order, lol. for boat builders, they're pretty standard to industry (well, maybe not doug's earliest welds, lol). now, his "site safety standards" are more in line with a marine wrecking operation on the shores of india than a louisiana boatyard, but his actual "shop practices" aren't too atypical, and pretty damned normal. i'd ride out a good gulf storm on her, which is about as good an endorsement as possible, lol
a while back a seen a trick used by off road guys running diesels , they run an intank electric fuelpump and use that to bleed the system like when they rolled the vehicle with the engine still running or if the engine ingested water and they replaced the filters ...... people running vegie oil use the trick too since you dont run the engine all the time it might be a good option to try
I saw something about you selling expensive things and shipping them through fed ex , Im curious about whats so expensive that is helping fund this awesome boat?
what size diesel? what did it come out of? and also what is your prediction for speed for the vessel? by the way I love watching your videos. I am a welder, fabricator, aviation mechanic. I would love to build my own boat..
Had a old dragline awhile back and would run it of fuel a lot. I put a shrader valve or air valve on the fuel cap and would hand pump some pressure into the tank then crack the lines to bleed off the air and start her up. Just a thought? She is looking real good wish I could help.
+Johan Storbjörk Ha! I'm getting better and better at understanding the Continental English. When I think of you or Marc, I start hearing the accent too. :)
Catamaran trampoline fabric is light, UV resistant, and holds up well to salt water. I don't think you want to be messing with laying down planks, and keeping them in place if you need to go out on the catwalk in high seas.
hey Doug, has anybody yet mentioned to you that you can't run a full mechanical 6bt as "mains" in a boat whose hull was laid after 2000? that bus motor will be a "NOGO" for documentation, and a COI. you have to run a QSB (the computerized 6bt, specifically for boating) on "new construction". that's a 25k motor, plus install (and they'll void the warranty if you put it on a highway trans, like that allison). i don't think you'll pass the sniff test for "aux engine" (like a bow thruster or a gennie would), even with your feathering prop. if you haven't yet, get a FIRM ruling from your local coasty inspection unit, in writing, that you have an "aux engine" set-up. that way come move and inspection, you don't get a red ticket. i figured better to warn today than be amused by a failure a couple years down the pike, which would ultimately suck like few other things, lol
lol, ok you have keel date voodoo... just checking you dotted i's and crossed t's. never too early to look for paperwork gremlins, and the dream choking influences of emission regs
i know it may be a bit late to say it, but i'm thinking that you should have waited with the lead til the harbor, because now you will need a bigger crane and truck.. i'm from denmark so i dont know your ruel's but i know that you have a max load and size, and i know you have been thinking about the size but the weight, may be a problem, and yea i know you move house's on truck's but can you really afford that team.. i'm just worried because it look's really nice but i would be sad if it never go to the water.. iv'e even been thinking about coming and helping, any way keep up the good job and the great vid's looking forward to the next vid.. thumbs up from Denmark :)
you need to feed the diesel like drip bags. I mean put it higher than the engine . at least when I had starting problems my mechanic had a plastic 5ltr can upside down with the pipe coming out of the cap and the return at the top where it had a part cut off so he could put fuel in it. so fuel was fed by gravity and was continuous, so he also isolated the fuel pump.
Hi. Watching with great interest from Dublin Ireland. Would love to see your magnificent vessel sail past Howth Head, into Dublin Bay and tie-up in triumph at the Quay wall. Pints all round - on me !!. Best wishes Paul Ryan
Wouldn't it be possible to use galvanized expanded metal as decking on the starboard gangway, it would make for a safer footing when handling mooring lines etc and have minimal effect on wind and waves in heavy weather ? Andrew
I had to look up exactly what I meant, it's called expanded metal catwalk. No making channels or anything, just cut to size & tack weld it on each side. I still think any added resistance would be minimal. here's an example: mcnichols.com/products/grating/expanded-metal/standard-expanded-catwalk/
Dude, Can you do us a favour? if you do another run of Grinder God hats can you make some (maybe just a few) XXL hats for us guys with big heads? haha i had to have a custom welding mask made as traditional ones don't fit!
+SV Seeker Will you save some lead ingots to balance the ship once it gets to the water? Have you thought about that? Or with so much weight on the keels the crane or engine will not unbalance it?
If you are having a gang walk lowered over the side, does that mean that the winch will need some kind of boom for the winch pulley? If you intend to have the gang walk / ramp be able to pitch & swivel?
The only complaint I have is these videos end before I am tired of watching them.
The editing is superb...not a bit of wasted time.
+Zeemike1 I've never figured out why it's so relaxing to listen to other people work, haha. Especially a crackling welder when you're just far enough away to not hear any buzz, i could listen to that all day.
+jcims It's funny you say that, I was just thinking the same thing about them pouring the lead. I don't know why that is so relaxing and satisfying (for lack of a better term)
Yes, another 5 or 10 minutes of just work happening would be welcome.
I look forward to these videos coming every week, I had a summer job building boats when I was in High school, I've always loved the process.
Zeemike
My uncle gave us a good scolding when we let his little garden tractor run bone dry out of Diesel. After he fixed it by cracking all the lines like you were doing, he pulled us on side and described what it would have been like if it had been our boat motor and we were out to sea. I'll never forget that lesson.
Im addicted to SV Seeker. Can't wait for the next edition. Thank you for the vids.
Im only 19 and somehow I find each and everyone of your videos incredibly fascinating. Keep up the great work!
+Y2KMANNNN Our videos should not be seen by younger audiences. They will cause younger minds to dream, think for themselves, question authority, and what is normal.
+SV Seeker I completely agree, I can already feel my mind expanding xD
I've just started watching your channel, i think i've watched every video so far, it's amazing how many people pop up and help out. I can't wait to see this on the water.
+oxoozade Meet our crew: www.svseeker.com/wp/sv-seeker-2/welcome-aboard/map2/?v=7516fd43adaa
Yet another riveting episode - so much going on and getting done. Great.
I finally got around to watching your videos this week after having watched the first few a couple of years ago.Great progress on a awesome undertaking.Your views on personal safety are "Spot on".Please keep up the great work and the videos as well a pleasure watching all 148 in this series.I do a lot of smaller welding projects on my channel and couldn't even imagine taking on one this big by myself.Kent
This is an incredibly ambitious project. Much respect.
about 17 mins too short! looks great Doug and Team, Really wish I could travel out there and rig the boat and lay some welds. Thank you for the videos we really enjoy them here in VA
Only recently found your channel and its brilliant! I have watched all but todays on the junk sail boat so cant wait. I have always wanted to learn to weld so i will be buying an arc welder soonish though i wont be building a boat i will start with a BBQ as my first project after I mastered the basics. Thanks for the inspiration and all the best on building the Junk sail boat.
+full stop Awesome! Glad to hear that.
Hey Doug, for the aluminium plank. if you put floatation under about the last four feet with a hinge, when you lower the plank down to the water, the last four feet would make a level spot to board a small boat. it would ride up and down.
love the boat.
+RocketRadioShow1 Interesting idea.
Doug, your videos are like crack. :)
Thanks for the updates!
+cgrant26 So True !!
Your not alone with your thoughts and if my old memory is right, Doug did state at sometime he would have Videos ect; of the Seeker out there on the open sea with all the excited folks he gets onboard, will be a real thrill ride !!
+cgrant26 - Agreed. I just keep watching them, can't get enough of Doug's work (and the helpers' work) on the boat. :)
love watching these! need to switch get down there some time and give you guys a hand!
+Wood By Wright Our Calendar: www.svseeker.com/wp/sv-seeker-2/welcome-aboard/calendar/?v=7516fd43adaa
+SV Seeker Wow, that is super organized Doug! I assume no boat building in the summer because of the heat?
+SV Seeker did you get the flag doug
+SV Seeker Nice. let me talk to my wife I would love to give a week or more.
+Miguel Reyes Yes Miguiel. Thank you. We plan to use it to slip through the blockades.....
Expanded metal for the catwalks with hinged sections perhaps....
Getting ever closer to launch!
Awesome effort by all concerned, thanks for posting,
John Greenwood
Amazing how the Boat is taking shape. I hope ya'll give some to this fella as my move is forthcoming. I think it's great when you think back, you stated "This Boat is being built by the internet", that's a very powerful statement and is so true with the addition of the gentleman from Austria, that's powerful stuff, welcome Marc. The entire Crew makes a powerful statement !!
+Barton Robinson Spot on. www.svseeker.com/wp/blog/?v=7516fd43adaa
Doug, if you should decide to use the expanded wire idea, you may want to construct what I'll call ankle {hand} railing, that maybe only measures height wise, say 12" inches, (30.48 centimeters.) I would use say 1.5" inch {38.10 mm} Dia. pipe. Use a pipe within a pipe setup, so either you can drop it (remove pins) and it is either flush with the walking surface of the catwalk, or maybe drops just below the catwalk surface. Or Remove (ankle railing) all together. If you should have to stow something on the catwalk surface, it would give you something to tie down / lash to. I would try to make the ankle railing all interchangeable, so you don't have to try to remember which section goes where. Plus then, when your trying at night to escape the heat of the hull, it gives you an option. This Idea comes via my day trip to a U.S. Aircraft Carrier. On an Aircraft carrier, all along sides, and back, they have netting to catch someone should they fall, but the guy who was giving us the tour that day, also mentioned that some of the sailors, when it's really hot, sleep in the netting.
Doug you and the team are - smokin! 👍😀
Very much enjoy the boat building and great lessons in patience and fortitude. GB jc
Some of the older pumps had a a hand operated bleeder pump to help prime the fuel. On the fuel pump, some had low suction power because they were designed to work with a pusher pump in the tank. Meaning they didn't have the nuts to draw fuel to them from the tank and did not put out much pressure to the injection pump. Any questions feel free to ask.
Doug
This may have already been resolved but if you were to weld a plate over your lead and install a thread-a-let you could fill the cavity with oil or such to prevent corrosion around the lead.
+Barry Luke Yeah, we're thinking about roofing tar. When it gets chilled by the water it would act as a seal too.
We have to wear safety harnesses (attached) when we weld 6' above ground level. Failure to wear hard hat, safety glasses steel tip boots and gloves is grounds for immediate termination. Thanks for the "what not to do" safety video.
bumber jacks or tractor jacks has so many uses love the vids need more
+paul saddler Yes they do.
Hey Doug, just an idea, for the cat walk(s.) Use some stout expanded wire, or use some thinner material, and use a couple of say 1.5" in. X 1.5" (38.10 X 38.10 millimeters) angle or square tubing, etc., as brace(s) between the 3 foot {91.44 centimeters} on center bracing you have already built. I would think a minimum of 2 or 3 braces per section, evenly spaced should be more then enough. My thought is, this way it couldn't collect water, and act as some type of ballast. In case it's been a long day, the 'L' part / leg, would face the ground / water surface. I've seen this used for cat walk's in some BIG buildings. Plus it would give who ever has to walk this surface, shall we say "some peace of mind," that their not going to be swimming with the sharks. :-) I know, I know, the sharks have got to eat too.
Hey Doug. I had the same thought that other people have mentioned about the expanded mesh for the catwalk... but I can see your point that it wouldn't really do what you want. I had also considered some of the nylon mesh, tied tightly over the frame, such as they use on high-end sailboats - but I bet that's probably too expensive. You're probably right, that a simple board might be easiest, but at least put some stabilizer dogs on the bottom of the boards so they're impossible to slip out of place when you're putting foot-pressure on them, pulling a rope or whatever.
Anyway, there were a few things on my mind in the past week or so that I wanted to mention to you. Stuff we used to do when I was welding and building in steel-fab job shops, when I was younger. Chances are you might've already heard these things, so no worries if you tell me I wasted time telling you about them. I type fast, so it isn't much of a waste of time. Plus I enjoy typing at you. I can't afford to travel to Tulsa, so I feel like I'm contributing, even if it's only in a small way. :P
Something you can do to help lining up pieces before welding, especially on sheets, is to cut a big c-clamp in half. Weld a small base plate over the cut on the screw-half, then you can make a small tack on the base plate against your work and screw the business end of the clamp down against whatever you want to push against. Usually to line up an uneven seam before tacking. This would probably work well for a lot of those times where you weld a "U" together out of angle and put a bottle jack in there to push something into place. Obviously it only has as much force as a c-clamp would normally have, but it was a standard tool we used all the time in the steel fab industry. Almost as useful as tacking on a piece of plate and pounding a wedge in to straighten out a seam.
Also, when you're welding on a picking eye to hook the chain hoist to... something else that was standard practice for us is to weld only one side of the eye. You can put something like a 3 inch weld on one side, with only a small tack on the other side. Then, you can pull with several tons of force - and when you're done with it you can just hammer it from the tack side. The tack will break, the welded side will fold over and break off, and it doesn't require you to grind the welds before removing it. Very useful when you're trying to get stuff done in a hurry.
Another one, when I spent a year or so lining up seams on 1/2 inch plate before we welded it together, is that you can put a hot tack a seam on a couple of plates that are out of line by as much as 1/8 inch. Then, while the tack is still red, you just smack it with a big hammer and the plates line right up. No need for the big tack-clamps, no need for tacking on wedge plates... just make a big hot tack and pound it once or twice and it lines up straight and beautiful. It's something that saves a lot of time when you're tacking stuff together and don't want to fiddle around with wedges or clamps.
I'm sure there's a few other things I might remember over the next week or two. You've learned a LOT about what you're doing in the past 5-6 years, so I certainly don't want to imply that you don't know what you're doing. You obviously do. But I spent about 20 years doing a lot of ironwork and steel fab work... and if I can help out by mentioning a couple of things, then I'm glad to do so. I've been repairing houses for the past 15 years, and my memory isn't quite what it used to be, but if I think of anything else that might be helpful I'll mention it do you, eh? ;)
Still, it's great to see the work you're getting done, it's great to see the boat coming along! It's a lot of fun to see how the project is progressing, and it's a LOT better than seeing what's on the stupid TV. Thanks for taking the time to upload the videos, and I'll keep watching and liking them. :D
+KOakaKO Thanks for the tips.
Doug just a thought. Instead of keeping planks for walking on the catwalks., ty this. Use a aluminun ladder horizontily laid next to the bullworks held in place by two simple hings and kept there by a simple fall down lever. allways there and when needed lift the lever and the ladder falls down to walk on. It would be lite and avaible when needed
You do some really great edits on these videos
you could stretch heavy fabric mesh over the catwalk or between steel posts, like the stuff they use between hulls on small catamaran sailers. would also be a nice place to lie down when the ship is at anchor.
I REALLY like the catwalks. I don't understand the gang plank yet, so I'm curious to see how it turns out. It sounds like the engine is about 10 minutes away from first fire. Getting the air out of those lines is a mother...
ok I'm sold on the catwalks simply because it means you'll have less gang plank stress! nice video, cheers Douge and crew
Concrete reinforcing mesh would work well on the catwalks. It supports a bunch of weight once it's welded down & lets everything else pass right through. I have it on my 35ft open race car trailer for the salt flats.
Coming along nicely!
walking along the catwalks, are you planning on a grab rail or handrail? maybe some loops for a safety harness.. just thinking of when the boat is in service and what you are doing on the water. As with most people here, I am enjoying and learning from your project, and I always look forward to the next video update.
+944tim Yes, a hand rail.
Stunning! Keep it up and I can't wait to see the floating item.
When Afonso de Albuquerque conquered Malacca, the Portuguese recovered a chart from a Javanese maritime pilot, which already included part of the Americas. Regarding the chart Albuquerque said
...a large map of a Javanese pilot, containing the Cape of Good Hope, Portugal and the land of Brazil, the Red Sea and the Sea of Persia, the Clove Islands, the navigation of the Chinese and the Gom, with their rhumbs and direct routes followed by the ships, and the hinterland, and how the kingdoms border on each other. It seems to me. Sir, that this was the best thing I have ever seen, and Your Highness will be very pleased to see it; it had the names in Javanese writing, but I had with me a Javanese who could read and write. I send this piece to Your Highness, which Francisco Rodrigues traced from the other, in which Your Highness can truly see where the Chinese and Gores come from, and the course your ships must take to the Clove Islands, and where the gold mines lie, and the islands of Java and Banda.
- Letter of Albuquerque to King Manuel I of Portugal, 1 April 1512.
👇👇👇👇👇👇
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djong_(ship)
Well done, I'm inspired by your project and look forward to meeting you at sea.
Looking very cool Doug .
For the catwalk, a net as on catamarans could be great !
And as usual, great job :)
moving right along! was kinda funny watching how much the poor trucks's springs decompress as you lifted off the lead....
will the catwalks be strong enough with just the welds on the pipe themselves or will they need diagonal bracings of some sort?
+Tim Hyatt Poor poor little truck. :) ...and we shall see.
Great as always :) the other day i had to bleed out the diesel system on my car and what i did was i took a big pnumatic air cyllinder and used it to make a big vacuum on the returnline of the system. I tried the thing with thightening the pipes as it runs but that didnt work for shit. Make a vacuum on the return side of the pump.
+Rasmus Laursen Thanks for the tip.
Boy howdy I love when you post a new video. Question - why not make the pilot house narrower so you wouldn't need the catwalk? What I mean is, if there was a 30 inch space between the pilot house and the existing railing, you could walk all the way around the boat and stay on the deck.
+Douglas Underdahl not much room left in the pilot house then
+Douglas Underdahl I like the roomier pilothouse and I like the catwalks. :)
+SV Seeker Makes sense to me. Thanks.
I have watched all your video's you have done one hell of an awesome job. On this boat. Keep up this great work.
Can't wait to see the end result. :ppls great from here.
Cheers
A trampoline would make an interesting catwalk tread-way. Be a cool place to hang out at anchor too.
it is wonderful to know that 'wild eccentrics' are alive and well, and living in the USA, I just hope that eventually you are not seasick and can afford the harbour dues, PS a useful bit of information 'apparently on the other side of the Atlantic the harbour bouys are set out the other way round (if you are thinking of visiting )
Once again Impressive!! INstead of haveing to through a plank on the catwalk have you thought of aluminum grate section hinged tha could be folded and secured up against the rail??
+Steve Haines That's not a bad idea. ...but maybe just boards. Aluminum grates are expensive. I would not mind so much if we lost a board. :)
New to this channel. Seems like you have loads of fun. A few tiny questions you no doubt have excellent answers for. Keels in sailboats tend to have a significant support to the framework of the boat. I kinda seem to think in this case the keels were simply welded to the side. And now they are made more heavy. Is there any chance they would break off?
Also, what is the future plan? Float around the world? What are your plans on things like toilets, kitchen, bedding and all those other things that make a boat livable.
Yes there is a change the keels will break off. Life is an adventure. If that does not happen then we will be a free research vessel for scientist that also seek adventure. And we'll work out the details of the interior as we get there.
SV Seeker I would weld on some extra just to be sure. The issue here is arm. The base of the keel, where it is welded, seems to be about a foot. The length of the keel is something like 10x that. Hence whatever force will hit the keel it will multiply by 10 on the welds. And that means hitting some sandbank with some force might directly get serious. Keels in the middle of the boat will make the boat roll over. In your case they are under an angle and stick out, so that means that hitting something will be followed by a buildup of the full weight of the boat. And I doubt that be a good thing.
As always interesting content and very impressive video editing! It is a great pleasure to follow the project. Very inspiring.
Regards from Denmark, Frederik
Thanks for the awesome video this is my favorite channel!
Im not a sailor, or actually i never seen a steel sailboat before, but isnt is possible to just weld some rings on the roof of the pilot house, so when the boat is moving on the ocean and u have to go over the catwalk you can just get a safety harness and tie yourself to the pilothouse? So then you would'nt need to lay planks all the time u wanna walk there.
It was just a strange idea what entered in my mind when i watched the video.
+horogandris I think that is their plan. If not, that is how I think it should be done! :)
+horogandris ...and it is a good idea. Once the dragons are up we will build hand rails that go down both sides, just below the windows of the pilothouse.
SV Seeker Looks very nice in my mind. Steel rings with neon colored rope for visibility? Plain steel handrails tend to be very slippery when waves spray on them and hard to see at low light.
You should be using Stick or Fluxcore welding rather than mig for most parts of the ship. MIG was designed for sheet metal, it doesnt penetrate as deep as flux/stick. You can see the lack of penetration at 4:40 when he was grinding the weld down. The welder was also not cleaning the metal before welding, with a non flux type welder you can get some bad inclusions and compromised welds from welding on rust. The point of the MIG gas is to prevent the reaction primarily of hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen in the weld. This makes it ideal for wind free shop work, however not so great in the field. With flux included types of welders such as stick you don't have to worry about the rust as much, or lack of gas from wind ( although its still good practice to clean the metal regardless)
yes i was thinking expanded mesh as well just think when you get the steps organised you wont need the ladder access any more also is there a reason you have not already cut the port holes out yet i am thinking it would be good venting and some light maybe its a weather thing keep the rain out .. all the best big pete
+peter donaldson Right. Don't want the rain or the cold.
Wonderful, I always learn so much from you.
Have you ever seen Chinese bamboo sails. I read about a couple from Canada that sailed around the world and got bamboo sails in China after there regular sails ripped up . They sailed all the way back to Canada with those bamboo sails and were quoted in the paper saying they were the best sails they ever had. I cant find anything about such sails on the internet . Thought your might know about them.
Enjoyed the video.
As a possible alternative to a wooden plank on the starboard catwalk, how about steel mesh, something that is mostly open space, yet strong enough to walk on. I can't think of what it is called, but it is typically in a cross hatch pattern. Would still allow any waves hitting the catwalk to go through, would be self draining, and would give something more reassuring to walk on.
You're a good dude ... I enjoy you videos..
YES!
once had a hell of a time getting my old diesel primed up
it turned out that the injector blead back line the tinny one between the injectors that serves to cool and lubricate was letting air into the suction line on the injection pump
i found this by useing some clear hose i could see the air and by kinking the line could stop the flow and it started this may not be the case for you but thought it may help
also try an eclectic fuel pump like an efi one to force feed the main pump this has worked for some with worn out lift pumps inside the main pump
+Josh Thanks for the tip.
Great work you guys are doing! I love the idea with the gang plank. Are going to give it priority, to have a better way of getting onboard even while building?
+JoGra No. I like the ladder. But Jezebel will like a gangway. :)
Hi, since the boat is made of steel which has weight, how do you know how much lead to poor into the keel for ballast? Great job, so much detail it's hard to take it all in!
We weighed the lead as we melted it down.
Bleed the low pressure side first. Loosen the plug at output of fuel filter. activate the pump (or starter) until it stop bubbling.
Re-tight the plug.
For high pressure side, have all injector line tight and bleed one injector at time only.
Bleed no 1 at first.
The engine will start after 1 or 2 injectors.
Be careful not to get fuel injected under your skin.
If you suspect a leak on high pressure line, test it with cardboard, not your hand.
mmmmm yes... pure that lead... mmmmm yeah... hahahahah
seriously every week i get more and more entertainment out of this series than any other show on tv.
even if it is watching you mess up first hahahaha thanks man!!!
youre getting really great at pouring the ballasts..
+Deskpop Risk Almost routine.
Another way of making those pipe miters I've seen is with a lathe, you put a bit the diameter of the pipe you're joining to in the chuck and have the pipe mounted to the tool post with a jig. Suspect it'll be way too hard with pipes the size and length of yours but might come in handy.
they also sell tubing notching jigs (which is the "correct industry term" from aviation) at most drag race supply houses (for exhausts, roll cages, etc). they use a hole saw on a drill press usually. the problem with both is the "dynamic install" you witness in their efforts. as everything is "twisted and tweaked to fit" (read that pounded and manhandled, lol), angles vary. moving your head a little when you line up the saw cut changes the length a little. it's not like a chopper frame, where you have a full size blueprint to lay each part on, and "bench fit". what you witness here is why EVERY boat is just a little different from it's sister, even if the keels were laid the same day, and always have been. if they were building a dragster, or a plane, they would be butchers of the highest order, lol. for boat builders, they're pretty standard to industry (well, maybe not doug's earliest welds, lol). now, his "site safety standards" are more in line with a marine wrecking operation on the shores of india than a louisiana boatyard, but his actual "shop practices" aren't too atypical, and pretty damned normal. i'd ride out a good gulf storm on her, which is about as good an endorsement as possible, lol
a while back a seen a trick used by off road guys running diesels , they run an intank electric fuelpump and use that to bleed the system like when they rolled the vehicle with the engine still running or if the engine ingested water and they replaced the filters ...... people running vegie oil use the trick too
since you dont run the engine all the time it might be a good option to try
+watahyahknow Thanks for the tip.
Man, that engine sounds sweet.
Looking good cant wait to go there
The Seeker has taught many men.
+Camaro Rick She is a lesson for all of us. :)
Our aircraft carrier has steel bar grating for catwalks, maybe you could look into that.
This is crazy impressive.
I saw something about you selling expensive things and shipping them through fed ex , Im curious about whats so expensive that is helping fund this awesome boat?
what size diesel? what did it come out of? and also what is your prediction for speed for the vessel? by the way I love watching your videos. I am a welder, fabricator, aviation mechanic. I would love to build my own boat..
+clay bain www.svseeker.com/wp/sv-seeker-2/sailboat/propulsion/diesel-engine/?v=7516fd43adaa
What's the maximum weight your winch can lift? Serious bitta kit! Also loving the videos! Keep it up
+Edward Tall The gantry cranes are good for 3 tons each.
+SV Seeker that's impressive, got anywhere near to testing it's limits or not yet? 😂
Had a old dragline awhile back and would run it of fuel a lot. I put a shrader valve or air valve on the fuel cap and would hand pump some pressure into the tank then crack the lines to bleed off the air and start her up. Just a thought? She is looking real good wish I could help.
Hay Doug
I saw this and I thought it was pretty exciting
I hope you like it too
For the catwalks what about netting as in fish nets? Easy on feet, hands, allows water to pass!
amazing project...
Go Marc! was kinda hoping for more accent, but awesome job done! The catwalks could not look any better. pipe fitting gurus;)
+Johan Storbjörk Ha! I'm getting better and better at understanding the Continental English. When I think of you or Marc, I start hearing the accent too. :)
That poor little Mazda ;p
Aren't lead fumes toxic?
Beautiful boat by the way.
+TheAGCteam Yes they are. Read up on lead before you work with it.
Catamaran trampoline fabric is light, UV resistant, and holds up well to salt water.
I don't think you want to be messing with laying down planks, and keeping them in place if you need to go out on the catwalk in high seas.
I'm a new subscriber to your page here. What ya building. Looks like fun!
Welcome. We're building our future. :)
hey Doug, has anybody yet mentioned to you that you can't run a full mechanical 6bt as "mains" in a boat whose hull was laid after 2000? that bus motor will be a "NOGO" for documentation, and a COI. you have to run a QSB (the computerized 6bt, specifically for boating) on "new construction". that's a 25k motor, plus install (and they'll void the warranty if you put it on a highway trans, like that allison). i don't think you'll pass the sniff test for "aux engine" (like a bow thruster or a gennie would), even with your feathering prop. if you haven't yet, get a FIRM ruling from your local coasty inspection unit, in writing, that you have an "aux engine" set-up. that way come move and inspection, you don't get a red ticket. i figured better to warn today than be amused by a failure a couple years down the pike, which would ultimately suck like few other things, lol
Yes sir officer Barby, she was built in 1986.
lol, ok you have keel date voodoo... just checking you dotted i's and crossed t's. never too early to look for paperwork gremlins, and the dream choking influences of emission regs
best thing on youtube thanks doug
I agree you should have your own reality show, maybe try contacting the same producers as gold rush, yours is better
Are you going to cut out a portion of the bulwarks so you can get on the catwalks, or are you just going to climb over the bulwarks?
+DyreFyre Just step over. No climbing is involved.
Question. I'm assuming the molten metal you are pouring into the keel is to make the ship bottom heavy and stabilize it at sea?
+patchesdf Spot on. Sailboats need heavy keels to offset the forces on the sails.
i know it may be a bit late to say it, but i'm thinking that you should have waited with the lead til the harbor, because now you will need a bigger crane and truck.. i'm from denmark so i dont know your ruel's but i know that you have a max load and size, and i know you have been thinking about the size but the weight, may be a problem, and yea i know you move house's on truck's but can you really afford that team.. i'm just worried because it look's really nice but i would be sad if it never go to the water.. iv'e even been thinking about coming and helping, any way keep up the good job and the great vid's looking forward to the next vid.. thumbs up from Denmark :)
+Daniel Honoré 38 tons is not an issue. Besides, that would burn all the paint off. :)
see i knew that you have thought about it :)
You could put some of that diamond steel mesh sheets?not sure what they are called
Do you create a handrail to secure your self while walking?
+Joop Terwijn Yes. We'll add handrails down the sides.
you need to feed the diesel like drip bags. I mean put it higher than the engine . at least when I had starting problems my mechanic had a plastic 5ltr can upside down with the pipe coming out of the cap and the return at the top where it had a part cut off so he could put fuel in it. so fuel was fed by gravity and was continuous, so he also isolated the fuel pump.
+chvella Thanks for the tip.
what also be cool is if you mounted still cams on your gantries or a separate pole with continuous feed for us boat fanatics.
+David Shafer We're just not that cool. :)
Did I hear that truck breathe a sigh of relief when that lead was lifted?
+Milton Tucker I think it did. :)
Hi. Watching with great interest from Dublin Ireland. Would love to see your magnificent vessel sail past Howth Head, into Dublin Bay and tie-up in triumph at the Quay wall. Pints all round - on me !!.
Best wishes
Paul Ryan
Wouldn't it be possible to use galvanized expanded metal as decking on the starboard gangway, it would make for a safer footing when handling mooring lines etc and have minimal effect on wind and waves in heavy weather ?
Andrew
+Andrew B (Vikingboy) I like a simple wood plank better. They can be used for other purposes, and removed completely for bad weather.
Gang-plank, good good, now, what are you going to put in place to keelhaul ornery landlubbers? :)
+James Lamb We got a big prop.
+James Lamb keelhauling is literally running them over with the boat
what about tacking wire mesh on the catwalk? it would let the water flow thru it freely, and remove the need to carry planking
+sysfixr It would have to be formed channel in order not to bend and it would give waves a lot of surface area too.
I had to look up exactly what I meant, it's called expanded metal catwalk. No making channels or anything, just cut to size & tack weld it on each side. I still think any added resistance would be minimal.
here's an example:
mcnichols.com/products/grating/expanded-metal/standard-expanded-catwalk/
I don't know if this has been mentioned before, but does +SV Seeker have a Paypal I can donate to instead of the merchandising stuff?
Dude, Can you do us a favour? if you do another run of Grinder God hats can you make some (maybe just a few) XXL hats for us guys with big heads? haha i had to have a custom welding mask made as traditional ones don't fit!
I did a video a few years ago about using a bandsaw to make the pipe saddle cuts, if anyone wants to know more about it.
+Wide Vision Metal Fab Good stuff. th-cam.com/video/wauBwWR0BGk/w-d-xo.html
+SV Seeker Will you save some lead ingots to balance the ship once it gets to the water? Have you thought about that? Or with so much weight on the keels the crane or engine will not unbalance it?
+Efrain Bergillos Yes. We will keep 5 tons as ingots.
If you are having a gang walk lowered over the side, does that mean that the winch will need some kind of boom for the winch pulley? If you intend to have the gang walk / ramp be able to pitch & swivel?
+bluegreenash No, we'll just move it by hand. It's not going to be that heavy.