Duck Hatch

A Hatch involves building multiple boats in one time period (weekend?), usually with the purpose of jump starting a local fleet.

this was copied directly from an email that Gordon Seiter sent to the pdr mailing list. original message can be found here

I really must sit down and actually write that Hatch Page. I think I 
should start with an excel spread sheet of material's so you could
down load it, and pop in local prices. I have been spoiled by my
local sponsor Summerland TimberMart. Everything I need for the Hatch
gets accounted for under Store donations/promotions (PuddleDuck) and
we donate the entry fee's to Agur Lake Camp for disabled kids along
with a matching cheque from TimberMart. http://www.agurlakecamp.ca/
It's a nice system, but I really don't know what the going rate for
our Hatch kit is, and like the man say's your milage may vary.

But for a start take this list into your local TimberMart or
equivalent and ask someone in contract sales for a "Material Quote".
It will get you into the ball park with regard to each kit. Remember
there is material and then there is supplies. Be prepared to control
the out flow of supplies of some teams will use excessive amounts and
the slowest teams will have nothing to work with when it's their
turn.

Per Boat to build the Summerland SpeedBird.
1. 3 sheets ¼"G1S Plywood for choice. Two Sheets to be cut into
16" strips. One strip to be cut in half for two 8"x8' pieces the
other to be cut in half for two 16" x 4' pieces. (1/4 best, 3/8
cheaper either will work. This list is for ¼" boats so if you go
with 3/8's adjust other measurements.)
2. ¼ sheet ½ plywood
3. 1x2's for chine. 8', 10 per boat. (They come 10 to a bundle)
4. 8' 1x6. (2x6 of stud grade will work too, but looks chunkier)
5. ¼ sheet of 5/8's standard Plywood cut into 12" strip
6. 12'-14' 1.5 inch closet pole
7. 4' 1.5inch ABS pipe
8. 4' 2x2 (for tiller handle)
9. 1 gallon suitable exterior grade paint.
10. PLPremium 1 large Tube, 1 small tube. (Total's Aprox 1 liter)
11. 1 standard door hinge. (they come two to a pack)
12. 1 2" eyebolt + washers+ nylon nut for top of mast.
13. For Bolts I like to use all one size to simplify nuts and
washers. You will need a bolt to for the leeboard to rotate on. Use
a Butterfly washer on the outside of the boat and you can hold the
leeboard down with just friction. Length? Long enough to go through
the 1x6 reinforcement, 5/8 leeboard and side of boat. 2" ¼ inch
bolts.
14. 6 bolts for the hinge. Three to go through the hinge, 1x6,
and stern. 3 to attach hinge to 5/8 ply. 1 ½ ¼ inch bolts. An
additional 2" bolt for your swing up rudder. Again use a Butterfly
nut. I use a butter fly nut for the tiller handle too just for set
up and take down ease. The Tiller needs at least 2.5 inch bolt.
15. Screws. You have several choices. You can go with just #8 1
inch wood screws and plan to leave them in, but then you will need to
provide 1/8" pilot hole bits and your teams will break as many as you
have. Option 2 Use drywall screws and washers. No need to drill
pilot holes, but you will have to remove all of the screws and patch
the holes with sawdust and waterproof white glue. Most drywall
screws come 1 ¼" long and the washers try spread the pressure and
keep the screw from going all the way in. If you can find 1" dry
wall screws grab them. Drywall contractors buy their screws by the
50lb box and this year I was given half a box. I figure this is at
least a 10 year supply since we take them out and reuse them next
year.
16. Sail Tarp. Go to PolySail for sail building ideas and
material lists, but we have been using House wrap with good results
for three years. It comes in 100' rolls and you can get up to 10
sails per roll. For each sail you will need a roll of two sided
outdoor carpet tape, and two rolls of duct tape. It comes in
colours and we are still using from the case of Yellow I got last
year. (ten boats and counting) You will also need a length of rope
to put in the edge of the sail and to provide a main sheet and
running line. Zap straps 25 each. Check out PolySail and we'll talk
some more.

Tools.
You have a couple of options, the easiest is to tell the teams what
they will need and let them provide their own.
I have had Dewalt lend us their demo tools, just get your local
lumber yard to put you in contact with their district Sales manager
and you will be surprised how much stuff these companies will let you
use.

Each team Must have.
• At least two power screwdrivers.
• Sanders
• Painting roller
• Small paint brush for corners
• Measuring Tape
• Pencils
•

Each Team might like
• Calking gun
• Bench sander
• Chop saw
• Router

The event needs/communal
• Calking guns for both sizes
• Chop saw 12" capacity
• Table Saw
• Drill Press
  Jig Saw
• Skill Saw

Sorry it's getting late and I have to crash. Long day. We'll pick
this up tomorrow with chapter two, How a Speed Bird goes together so
fast.

Gordon Seiter
Acting World Champion,
20 boats built in three Hatch's
Two time Canadian Champion.

gordon@summerlandpuddleducks.org