Melonseed Construction
Months before construction of the Melonseed skiff ever began we were test sailing a prototype/test boat. Early evaluations of its performance revealed that the Melonseed was capable of sailing in more wind and rougher water than we anticipated. We were challenged to engineer and build the boat stronger than we had originally planned. The result is that the Melonseed Skiff is the finest example of quality construction in the medium of fiberglass and wood of any small boat available today.
Each Melonseed skiff is custom built, by hand one at a time, for each owner.
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The fiberglass hulls and decks are molded in true hand lay up technique, and resin to fiberglass ratios are carefully controlled creating maximum strength for weight. Several different types of woven, stitched, biaxial and matted fiberglass fabrics are laminated in a matrix of polyester resin to create a hull and deck that is exceptional in stiffness and strength.
The fiberglass hulls and decks are molded in true hand lay up technique, and resin to fiberglass ratios are carefully controlled creating maximum strength for weight. Several different types of woven, stitched, biaxial and matted fiberglass fabrics are laminated in a matrix of polyester resin to create a hull and deck that is exceptional in stiffness and strength.
The laminate schedule for the hull is gelcoat, 1.5 oz. mat, .5 oz mat, 32 oz. stitched roving and 10 oz. cloth. This is then doubled in the bottom, stem and keel sections with more added reinforcements in high stress areas. There are as many as fourteen layers of glass in the skeg alone.
The laminate schedule for the hull is gelcoat, 1.5 oz. mat, .5 oz mat, 32 oz. stitched roving and 10 oz. cloth. This is then doubled in the bottom, stem and keel sections with more added reinforcements in high stress areas. There are as many as fourteen layers of glass in the skeg alone.
In the deck, 1/4" end grain balsa core is laminated between layers of 1.5 oz. mat and 1708 biaxial stitched roving, creating remarkable rigidity. Its exterior finish is non-skid, and resembles painted canvas. Even the 12" opening hatch in the forward deck is molded in wood grain. Unlike so many fiberglass boats, the overall resemblance to a fine wooden boat is amazing.
In a manner similar to that used in the assembly of offshore cruisers, the hull and deck are bonded together with epoxy, polyurethane adhesive and stainless bolts and screws. The resulting structure is strong, rigid and torsion free, yet light. Under deck foam flotation guarantees the boat is unsinkable and will float deck up if submerged.
The woodwork in each Melonseed is a pleasure to behold. Cockpit combings, rubrails, floorboards, rudder and tiller are all hand crafted in beautiful teak. The joinerwork is precise and elegant. Spars are hand shaped from select douglas fir and finished with several coats of the best phenolic tung oil varnish available. Hardware is polished bronze, fastenings are bronze and stainless. The sail is 4.9 oz. dacron and the rigging is also dacron with all ends properly whipped.
All of the above requires only a minimum of maintenance to keep your lovely Melonseed skiff in bristol fashion for years to come. These boats have been called "instant heirlooms", and your first inspection confirms why.
We do a lot of unnoticed little things very well, as quality control is executed simply by conscience and pride of craftsmanship. At Crawford Boat Building we've been building more than a limited number of beautiful boats each year. Since 1976 we've been building a reputation for customer satisfaction and quality workmanship. Along with the owner of each boat, we share an enormous amount of pride in the construction and appearance of his or her Melonseed Skiff.
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