Pudgy is short in size, but long in quality. She boasts speed and style for less than $70. By Joseph Adams
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OIN our bearded friend in fun on the water with Pudgy, a lightweight 12-foot outboard runabout. Its canvas construction assures both initial and operating economy, since any damage is easily patched and a 5.5 hp engine is all that is needed to push Pudgy up on a plane. Up to four persons may be aboard without cutting down appreciably on her performance. Spruce shingle lath is used for this project. By buying it 1x3 inches and ripping into 1x2 inch or l x l inch as needed, a substantial savings can be made. The covering material is white untreated duck, which can be bought at reasonable prices from mail order houses. One half sheet of 1/4-inch plywood is ample for 110
the transom and gussets. Marine grade fastenings and paint are essential. Shape the transom from the plywood and notch out side cleats for battens, sheers and chines. The side cleats can be left extended about a foot or so to be used as supports when the rest of the frames are being fitted. Attach the cleats with glue and marine fasteners. On the bottom cleat, notch out for every other batten—there are 10 on either side of the keel—the alternate battens will butt against the cleat and will rest on an additional clamp or cleat. The keel apron is cut to length and attached to the stem on one end and the transom knee and transom at the other. It is a good idea to clamp a 2x3 to the keel apron so that it remains true as the other members are being fitted. Mechanix Illustrated
CLAMP on the sheer with four 1/4-inch bolts. Countersink them into the sheer two on each side. This stiffens the boat. February, 1963
APPLY two coats of marine adhesive to the framing. First apply one coat, allow to set a while and then apply the second.
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Chines must extend 3/4 inch above the frames. No. 8 screws, 1-1/2 in. in length should be used. Glue and nail gussets on frames. There are ten battens that run back to the transom on either side of the keel. These are attached and glued where frames and battens intersect. The deck frames are the next section of the boat to be done. Here again the longitudinal members are notched into the last deck frame, No. 3. The center
LARGE-SCALE PLANS are now available for building Pudgy. These include additional drawings and complete text. To receive your copy, send $3 to Mechanix Illustrated, Plans Service, Greenwich, Conn. Please ask for Plan No. B-2-63, Pudgy, to order.
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piece is a 1x4, making it possible to walk out on deck when necessary. Both sides are braced by three battens. The clamp on the inside of the cockpit is 1x2, reduced to lxl where it meets the deck section. All corners and edges are finished and painted to minimize the possibility of tearing the canvas material. Cut a piece of 4x12-ft. untreated duck material into two pieces of two feet in vidth. These are to be used as the side panels. Apply sealer adhesive with a brush to contact edges of sheet, chines and transom. Stretch the canvas into place and tack it down all around. This is a two man job. First tack it every six inches or so and then when you have it tight everywhere, space the No. 4 copper tacks an inch apart. Check the photos for proper overlapping procedures. The side and side deck will be of one piece. The bottom is applied in one piece. Apply adhesive [Continued on page 132] Mechanix Illustrated
BRING the side canvas up and over the side deck and attach under the gunwales. This creates a smooth, seamless surface. WRAP one of the canvas side panels over the stem. Apply adhesive and overlap it with the other piece. Sand the rough edge.
THIS is Pudgy with the entire framework finished. Before fastening the canvas, check all joints and finish all surfaces.
APPLY the deck after the hull has been doped and painted. Deck piece extends to coaming from inside of cockpit No. 4 frame. February, 1963
Build Pudgy [Continued from page 112] in two or three heavy coats over chines, transom edge and keel apron. Do not attempt to cover the entire bottom at once, however, because the adhesive dries quickly. Proceed a few feet at a time, stretching the material and tacking as you go. When the stem is reached the canvas is cut and overlapped. A heavy coat of adhesive in this area is suggested. After a day or two, the adhesive will have dried. At this time a thinned coat of clear dope should be applied. Give the inside of the craft two coats of enamel. When the enamel and dope have dried, the deck is attached, bringing a piece of canvas under and around the frame that faces the cockpit. For finishing Pudgy, a coat of brush cement is applied to form a smooth finished surface. Two more coats of paint over the cement finish the job. At this time the trim such as rub rails, etc. should be attached. Seats and floor boards are also installed now. Spring time will see you out on the water with the rest of the boating enthusiasts, in a boat the equal of any its size. •
