Fiberglass Wharram Ariki Catamaran

[ozskipper]

Originally Posted by boatsmith

No topless girls here either. Ariki progress to date.
Ariki 47 Build Report (and forward compartment scooter storage). - YouTube

Great vid David. Most construction vids on TY are just slide shows. Great work and thanks for sharing.

[boatsail]

Awesome video and great boat. Thanks for sharing

[captain58sailin]

Nice project, nice boat!

[SkiprJohn]

Well done! Looks great.

[boatsmith]

Some recent photos.

[captain58sailin]

It looks like she is coming along nicely, thanks for the update.

[Pura Vida Cat]

Well done looks like a great concept keep me informed

[Gnatahi]

I've heard so much about you and seen a few boats you've built. I just joined the Wharram family, bought a 35' tangaroa. and was wondering what material you suggest for the cross beams. We are replacing 2 out of 5 of them (the others are laminated cross beams, but the builder says we should go with something else) Do you have any suggestions of what you found to be the best material for this?

Also do you know if bamboo would be good or bad for building a flush deck down the middle between the hulls. Want to make it a little more primitive looking.

thanks
KC

[boatsmith]

Douglass Fir is a good material for beams. They can be stack laminated for the classic style or be more I-beam in nature with plywood webs ala Tiki Style. whose tangaroa did you Buy? Welcome to the club. Bamboo is cool. It takes some adjusting to. It does not readily adjust to a 2"x4" or 4'x8' mindset. It is inexpensive and fits well with the Wharram "cult" mindset.

[Gnatahi]

Originally Posted by boatsmith

Douglass Fir is a good material for beams. They can be stack laminated for the classic style or be more I-beam in nature with plywood webs ala Tiki Style. whose tangaroa did you Buy? Welcome to the club. Bamboo is cool. It takes some adjusting to. It does not readily adjust to a 2"x4" or 4'x8' mindset. It is inexpensive and fits well with the Wharram "cult" mindset.

We bought Skips (Carl L) boat. The blue tangaroa.
What bamboo is most weather resistant? and how would you recommend finishing it?

You going to be at the Wharram get together in islamorada this year?

-Kc

[mikereed100]

Gnatahi,

We have used a lot of bamboo in the rebuilding of our boat. It is great stuff and the strength to weight ratio is amazing. There are some things to keep in mind though, if you are planning to build a deck out of it. You would have to use small diameter split poles or slats made from larger diameter poles which would require lots of bracing. It will be springy, which may be good, but it will also be slippery and the ridges may be uncomfortable underfoot. As it ages, splinters and the microscopic spicules that cause a rash could be a problem. I don't know of anything you could finish it with that would stick to it without sanding off the waxy outer layer, you would probably just have to let it weather like teak and plan on replacing it every few years.

On the other hand, it would be extremely lightweight, strong and would drain well. Also cheap and possibly free if you can find a stand that needs trimming. Plus the cool factor cannot be denied, especially on a Wharram.
A thought; when you are at anchor you could lay out woven bamboo mats to make it more comfortable to walk and lounge on.

[boatsmith]

Here is our latest progress video

Ariki Update | 10 February 2013 - YouTube

[boatsmith]

BoatSmith Wharram Ariki Update | Cockpit and Deck Space | 25 Feb 2013 - YouTube

[MacG]

As for decking, you have the best usable wood around the corner: Alaskan Yellow Cedar.

I have ordered a batch now for the coverage of my uncomfortable steel deck and cockpit.

[boatsmith]

working on the bimini and cockpit mock-up.