Glacier Boats of Alaska - Builder's Forums
Great Alaskan and Boat Building => Projects - Glacier Boats of Alaska boat projects => Topic started by: Brian.Dixon on March 03, 2013, 08:32:43 PM
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Help me put together a list of who's building what and where... Please respond to this post with a brief description of what you are building (which model, what mods) and where you are located!
NOTE: It's OK if you are just in the planning and getting ready stage ...let's hear about it!
Thanks!
Brian
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If you include the planning stage, you could add me to the list:
Rod Garson
Victoria, British Columbia
GA 25 or a Jumbo 24 if I can't pull off the GA. But I want the GA!
Not building yet, just wish I was! Sorry, hope I didn't screw up your thread...
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Just started 28' modified Prince Rupert, sides on the wheelhouse will be not so long but the roof will extend back. Planing on twin 90 hp or a single 200 righter motor will be a 4-stroke. Plan on using anti foul bottom paint so it can stay in the water a few months at a time.
Located in Bend Oregon. Just finished a 21'4" Tolman Wide Body center console and just sold a Grady White Marlin 300 with twin 225 Yamaha 4-strokes. The GA will replace the Grady I got tiered of taking out a loan every time I went to fill up 310 gallons of fuel at $5 a gallon and would only get 300 miles out of it before she was thirsty again. Planing on getting 300-400 miles out of a 100 gallon tank. :) :)
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Okay, so I'm not in the "building" stage yet, but I am well into the "planning" stage. I've bought the plans and read them almost a dozen times now,I'm a visual guy written instructions are slow to sink in. I'm starting to put together the tools and supplies, I just convinced the wife that I needed a new DeWalt compound sliding miter saw. The sticky stuff dispenser is next on the list. I have set my mind on the Newport 30' model, IMHO it's the best looking model. As far as mods go I'm planning on a "full size" berth in the cuddy, like what Ray Brown did in his Jumbo, with a hanging locker and in the pilot house, an overhead console to mount the radio's either in or below. I'm sure I will come up with other changes as things get rolling.
Tom Brown
Olympia, WA
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i'm building a GA 28 in new jersey..i'm in the early stages..have a kit cut out by Jim Shula and my workshop and jig built out and my stringers cut out..just waiting for another month or so to have better temps for the epoxy...so i will throw in a kitchen redo for now to kill some time
i am planning a transom ext (want the added deck space) with twin 115's..a narrower house to have easier access to the bow..level the deck on the bow some to have a more stable platform for fishing up front.would like to move the helm back a bit if i can to gain more comfort for longer rides..most likely a down east style cabin like the rockport open on one side to enable easier fishing when alone. and curtains to add on for rough weather or colder weather..possibility of a more built out cabin with a second station
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I have three boats in the works.
Boat #1 is a 30" GA. It has a 2-2.5" bracket with the hull fully extended underneath for more floatation and planing area. I have the bottom peices cut out of heavy poster board and sitting on the jig. Also both of my transoms are cut out. This is a 1/12th model of what boat #3 will be. I just wanted to have a little experience before I did the real thing.
Boat #2 is in the planning stage. I'm leaning towards a 25-26 ft GA that will be an open boat, self bailing floors, walk-around center pilothouse. It will have a leaning post and room for two people facing forewards with two people seated right behind the leaning post facing rearwards. The front windshields will be foreward leaning. A simple machine for our delta waters and some offshore use. I want to build this one fast so it can replace my current boat. Powered by a 150 or 175 ETEC.
Boat #3 will be a 30 ft GA, similar to what I described in Boat #1. It will have a cuddy, cabin seating for four, a large fishing deck, under-floor storaged for fish and ice. It will be powereed by twin 115-130 ETECS I'm thinking, and have all very nice electronics.
Unfortunately, I don't have the space to build a 25+ foot boat right now. The larges boat that would fit in my garage would be about 5 ft. So I feel limited to dream and plan until we can move to a new spot in the next several years. Hopefully be the time we move I will have it all planned though, and building can commence immediately and move rapidly.
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Easy Going ...Where are you located?
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Brian, I'm in Modesto, California, USA.
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Cool ...thanks! You've got quite the project list going... must be younger and more energetic than this ol' boy :o ;)
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Younger...well, probably so. I'm just pushing up close to 30 now. I'm thinking boat building would be a good father/son project. Should be a very good learning experience as it involves wood working, plumbing water and fuel, electrical work, etc. Shoot, probably a good learning experience for both of us.
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Planning stages as well. I am nearing completion of a home remodel and need to build the shop next. I retired in February so hopefully!
I will build in Nevada and locate the boat in Coffman Cove Alaska
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Younger...well, probably so. I'm just pushing up close to 30 now. I'm thinking boat building would be a good father/son project. Should be a very good learning experience as it involves wood working, plumbing water and fuel, electrical work, etc. Shoot, probably a good learning experience for both of us.
I'm 53 ...my 20 yr old son is too busy between work, friends, and girlfriend to spend time on boats with ol' dad. My GF however is rarin' to go and wants to get into boat building. She starts this weekend with some epoxy coating and fiberglassing that I'm holding off on for her...
Brian
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hey brian she sounds like a good gal..hopefully fairing will be her favorite part since that seems to be what people complain about the most...as far as your son give him another 20 years and he should be ready to hang out again..atleast thats how long it took me to reconnect and go fishing all the time with my dad with my dad....
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Brian, I'm in Modesto, California, USA.
One more for born and raised in Modesto CA.. Went to Beyer High School
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hey brian she sounds like a good gal..hopefully fairing will be her favorite part since that seems to be what people complain about the most...as far as your son give him another 20 years and he should be ready to hang out again..atleast thats how long it took me to reconnect and go fishing all the time with my dad with my dad....
Yeah, she's a keeper... and hopefully won't have to wait 20 more years to go fishing with my son!
BD
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I'm in the planning stage as well. This looks like a 1000 hour project so realistically, I don't see getting to this until retirement ( 6 years from now). I have purchased the GA plans and the Tolman book and I have been studying. If nothing else, I've learned some techniques that I can use in my other wood working projects. Because of our property in Toledo, Oregon (on a hill) ingress, egress and storage location is going to limit the boat size. I might be able to get a 25 ft boat into my backyard. This summer I plan to mock up a trailer (out of scrap wood/ scrap axle) to see if it is possible. I've scaled it in Autocad, but nothing like to mock up to prove the concept.
Currently I'm outfitting my 19 ft Alumaweld Stryker for near shore fishing off Newport, OR. Building a bow cover with plywood, epoxy and fiberglass, installing spare battery, radio, chart plotter, and second bilge pump. I know it isn't an ocean boat, but it will work on the right days.
Larry
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Boat #2 is in the planning stage. I'm leaning towards a 25-26 ft GA that will be an open boat, self bailing floors, walk-around center pilothouse. It will have a leaning post and room for two people facing forewards with two people seated right behind the leaning post facing rearwards. The front windshields will be foreward leaning. A simple machine for our delta waters and some offshore use. I want to build this one fast so it can replace my current boat. Powered by a 150 or 175 ETEC.
I've attached a picture of what this boat will be similar to below. Any idea how many hours I can figure it will take to complete it with a 20 foot finish?
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Boat #2 is in the planning stage. I'm leaning towards a 25-26 ft GA that will be an open boat, self bailing floors, walk-around center pilothouse. It will have a leaning post and room for two people facing forewards with two people seated right behind the leaning post facing rearwards. The front windshields will be foreward leaning. A simple machine for our delta waters and some offshore use. I want to build this one fast so it can replace my current boat. Powered by a 150 or 175 ETEC.
I've attached a picture of what this boat will be similar to below. Any idea how many hours I can figure it will take to complete it with a 20 foot finish?
My guess is 800-900 hours
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Perth, Western Australia, although I've altered her a weeee bit, thinkin of calling her the Great Australian......
Hulls built, tanks in, times short, coffees great! What more can a bloke want?
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Perth, Western Australia, although I've altered her a weeee bit, thinkin of calling her the Great Australian......
Hulls built, tanks in, times short, coffees great! What more can a bloke want?
Looks like she is altered a double wee bit! :) looks like she will be the Awesome Great Australian !!!!!
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ed the boat is looking great
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You should see the ship that he's going to tow that dinghy with... ::) ;D
bd
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hahahahaha ok ok that's an old pic - and shes 30 ft or so, just that when I was building the bottom planks it was sad to cut the sheet of ply off to 28 ft, just to see where it took me, you know, I can always trim it back later....
So here's a pic of later...... :o ;D
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oops, did this first..... ???
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Hi, All. Building a 26-footer in Homer Alaska. This was yesterday...2nd layer forward bottom panel port side.
Dave in Homer
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I wonder why this hull has many screws/nails on it? I saw other hulls did not use screws/nails at all... sorry, I just want to learn. thx. Vincent
Hi, All. Building a 26-footer in Homer Alaska. This was yesterday...2nd layer forward bottom panel port side.
Dave in Homer
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Vincent, This is the method for laminating the two layers of the forward portion of the fairbody. The bottom / fairbody is 3/4" thick, but you'd never get a single layer of 3/4" to bend and twist that way. There is a thickened epoxy mixture between the two layers that you can see oozing out of the witness holes. The screws and fender washers are the clamping system that sucks the two layers of plywood together. Once cured the screws are removed and the holes filled and sanded prior to fiberglassing.
You should order the manual and the plans - they explain it all...best money you'll ever spend.
Dave in Homer
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No nails or screws except for hardware and handrails. I recommend one long heavy wood screw into the stem for the rubrails (each side) since damage to rubrails can cause them to swell.. Swelling wood can exert tremendous force on things and may pop the front end of the rubrails off. I've only seen it happen once (and it was on a boat that *I* owned). Otherwise, the boat has no metal in it at all.
Brian
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Mmmmmmm.......
Except those broken off temp screws...... :-\
I mark the place these are, always find more with that new sharp blade.... >:(
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Mmmmmmm.......
Except those broken off temp screws...... :-\
I mark the place these are, always find more with that new sharp blade.... >:(
You're supposed to dig them out WHEN they happen! And fill with epoxy... sheesh... :)
bd
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BUMP! How about an update on who's building which version of the Great Alaskan and where you are located? Pictures would be awesome!
Brian
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28' GA started in Salem Oregon USA
I started lofting out the assorted pieces yesterday. I'm already about a week behind my schedule because some of my plywood was back ordered. I would really like to launch next spring, but that will depend on my workload.
A buddy of mine said he had some fiberglass cloth I could have, went over to have a couple of beers and in the process pick up the cloth. Turns out he had a full roll of 6 OZ, and a full roll of 12 OZ plus a roll of Kevlar and several rolls of assorted weight tape. Seems he used to build large tanks for the oil fracking business. Been stored up in his shop for years. SCORE!
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Try a test glassing with the fiberglass before you commit it to the boat. Also, the 6 is probably plain woven, but the 12 may be roving (coarse yarn, more defects). If the 12 is plain woven (smoother, tighter, lighter yarn, nearly defect free) ...then it can be used in place of anywhere I call for 10 ounce in the plans.
Brian
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It is all smooth weave, no roving. None of the stuff they built was shot, all was epoxy.
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It is all smooth weave, no roving. None of the stuff they built was shot, all was epoxy.
Awesome! Glad to hear of your lucky find. I once found a stack of old-growth CVG Douglas fir that had grain so tight that you couldn't lay a needle between the lines ...rock hard wood and beautiful! It was way in the back of an old wood shop in Washington, all dusty and forgotten. Found it when looking for some other wood ...the guy sold it to me for about half what CVG fir cost at the local lumber yards, and the quality was at least 3X better. That wood went into the frames in the mahogany drift boat that I once built (along with Cherry, White Oak, and Eastern White Ash for highlights and various parts.... love how Cherry changes color with exposure to sun). That boat is now plying the waters of the Bow River in Canada...
Brian
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Still planning stages, hope to start 28 ga in next couple months. Building it in Pagosa springs colorado. In the Rocky Mountains, just about as far away from water as you can get.
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Still planning stages, hope to start 28 ga in next couple months. Building it in Pagosa springs colorado. In the Rocky Mountains, just about as far away from water as you can get.
...But several good and large reservoirs with great fish in them. How far are you from 11-Mile?
bd
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Brian, about 3 hours. I have done some incredible fly fishing between the two lakes. Don't make it over much as I live about 100 feet off the San juan River and am able to walk out my door anytime and catch 21 inch trout😊
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I plan on using my ga all over the country. Great Lakes, to Florida and even want a pic some day in front of lady liberty. Mostly I plan to use it in the pacific NW and up to Alaska.
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Brian, about 3 hours. I have done some incredible fly fishing between the two lakes. Don't make it over much as I live about 100 feet off the San juan River and am able to walk out my door anytime and catch 21 inch trout😊
Oh yeah! The San Juan Shuffle! I'm sure you know what that is, right? You fish a San Juan Worm fly downstream, and do a little jig with your feet to send a cloud of river muck downstream ...the trout know that when something disturbs the bottom, that worms are sometimes set loose ...which means the chances that your fly will get hit go up. I think the technique is against the rules, but can't say for sure :o ;D
I used to live in the Springs and fished between the lakes a lot (and various other places), and even did the "lawn chair, Coleman lantern, garlic/corn marshmallow" thing at night on 11-mile to catch nice trout... I had a pickup trashed by tennis-ball sized hail at 11-Mile too ...saw two large t-storms converge over the lake and a wall of hail started moving right at us, the water all turned to froth under the hail. No place to hide ...just run, throw your stuff under the truck and get in ...I still remember how loud that was and how my truck got totaled (it was not a new truck). I got an insurance settlement, did some fixes on my own, and drove that dented-up truck another couple of years. An RV that was up there got totally trashed from that storm... windows and vents busted out, roof torn, the whole thing full of water and shattered ice, old guy and his wife hiding up by the driver's seat. :-[
Brian
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Hi!
I'm Kenneth of Sweden and I'm currently building a Great Alaskan 28 feet. I've been working on this project for 9 months.
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Welcome aboard, Kenneth! And ...you're boat's looking great!
Brian
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Welcome, Kenneth! We would love to see photos of your project.
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Hi I am Robert, building a 28' Newport in Olympia Wa. I bought the kit from Chuck last fall. I am not a procrastinator, I just keep finding other things to do. Ha Ha.
It is my new years resolution this year.
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Building 28' GA in Olympia Wa.
Well I have officially started my build. I have bottom panels put together, chines and shelf's together. Building jig is built. I will post some pics this weekend. Already life is getting in the way, last week had to go on family vacation to Kona, just got back and the darn apple trees need pruning, so pruning the trees this weekend then back at it.
Right away (first week) I discover way too much dust to deal with so ordered a 18" fan and installed that to keep the room clear when sanding. And my aluminum boat is taking up too much room and I had to tarp it (rains here)and move it outside to put shelf's and chines together. Just getting bids now to add a 24' x 42' shop addition since the 28'GA will not be fitting inside my old shop when completed and on a trailer.
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Congrats on your progress! Life always gets in the way.... steady as she goes, and it'll get done :)
Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
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Hi all, Brian,
Done nothing the last 18 mths, working with my son's building houses, I'm the Q.S., bookkeeper, coffee maker etc at nights so that buggers up working on the missus. (I give her bum a rub ever now and then though....)
Landlord wants her out of the back yard, so a move is now being organized, a crane to get her over the house onto a truck to a site I'm building a tin shed on - we'll also be using as a workshop for knocking up kitchens & house joinery, looking forward to it as we can then get some good machinery a place to live - with no one to upset at nites.
Going the set a small room up in the corner for a dust free sleeping spot, for those week ends I'll be there, site is only 20 min from home, but working through late nights probably a good idea not to drive.....
Engine is a Cummins 6TBA (worked to 300 - 350 HP) - from a truck wrecker, I will rebuild as required, and marinise it, (think dipping it in vinegar over night works for oysters.... engine too?)
A V-drive is being chased up with the right gearing, chit that's been a new learning curve.....
Going to put a skeg/keel on her to both protect the prop & rudder and help when running down wind & wave for those slow broaches.... freaky situation if you have ever been it that place. We have the Indian Ocean right out of the marina, no safe coves, islands, harbors to race to if we miss the weather and need to run for cover.
The 1000 Lt diesel tanks have been built in ready for the plumbing and lid to epoxy on, issue to resolve is the amount of 1/4 inch alloy inspection ports on this epoxied ply lid, ideally one between every baffle, that's 6 per tank and that diesel seems to be able to creep out every join..... work in progress on this, any ideas most welcome!
Bought all the ply and epoxy needed to complete her, got the laminated glass windows, Teak or Oroko (poor mans Teak) for decking is the next buy.
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You'll have to post some pics of that crane work, Ed. We want to keep hearing (and seeing) about your project :). As for that motor ...I know that people do clean tools and cast iron with vinegar and water. Might take weeks though. There's a tool shed in Alaska where the guy collects antique tools and he's got a barrel of 50/50 vinegar and water and just tosses the tools in there, pulls them out when done. They all look like new once dried and oiled.
Brian
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BUMP - Updates anyone?
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Saint-Michel de Bellechasse, Quebec Canada. ;)
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Looks like a sweet location to have a Great Alaskan! What are your plans? Boat camping/cruising, fishing?
Brian
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Wasilla, Alaska - having Anthony at Kachemak Skiffs build it and I'll outfit it. Hull should be "boat-like" at the end of the week. 28 Newport with very few mods for skiing Prince William Sound in spring, shrimping, fishing, and the Alaska coast from Homer to Cordova and possibly beyond.
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Dan you must be very excited, I am sure you won't be disappointed. I am in love with my build!
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Veneta Oregon
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I'm building in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada.
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Hello, I’m getting ready to start on my 28ft in Lubbock, Texas
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Tinker, congrats. The forum as am sure you know is the best place to learn good tips. Enjoy your build
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Hello, I’m getting ready to start on my 28ft in Lubbock, Texas
Sweet! Can't wait to see your progress pix!
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Hi Brain, I know you are well aware of my build but thought I would still post up on this thread. Building the larger 30 foot Kodiak. Mods will be extending the sides to form a bulwark which will also add to my beam width by a few inches. Also going with a Euro Transom rather than the typical transom. Raised the stringes by 2 3/8" and will slope the deck from the aft wheelhouse bulkhead to the transom 1" just trying to get a better water flow when washing blood from the deck. I also plan to enlarge my scuppers, going with 1 1/2" x 5 1/2" just in case we take a good wave over the bow. I can't believe that would ever happen with the awesome flair this boat has at the bow but ya never know. Build is in Bend Oregon, planing to splash in in March of 2021.
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I’m still in the info gathering stages but will be building my Great Alaskan 28’ in my shop space here in SILVERTON Oregon. I plan to mount a camera over the shop so I can get good progress photos as most of my family is vocally supportive and quietly questioning my sanity. I’m debating on the transom type and will have design questions. I really like the swim step outboard mount, leaning toward the Newport design and balancing fishing deck with cabin size. I still have some shop setup to do but plan to build the platform the week after deer season in October. Shop will be tight - my back bay is 48’ by 12’ so I’ll mount the building jig on wheels. Can’t wait to cut the first piece of wood.
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Corpus Christi, Texas. Expect to start next year.
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Start now! Just cut out one minor part, the make a little progress now and then ... !
Congrats on your near-start!
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Start now! Just cut out one minor part, the make a little progress now and then ... !
Congrats on your near-start!
like Brian said just start making pieces in your spare time It will go together before ya know it.