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Published — 12 January 2026 ⏭ Tips from a Shipwright

Preview for Building Orca - Ep. 21: Lofting Pt. 2 - Preparing the Drawing

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Part 2 of the Tips From A Shipwright lofting series for Project ORCA is out now. Lou reviews the working drawings for Orca, explaining the Profile, Half-Breadth, and Body Plan, the classic Novi lobster boat hull shape, and practical techniques for transferring lines and using French curves to fair the hull.

Subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on our Project Orca build!

Building Orca - Ep. 21: Lofting Pt. 2 - Preparing the Drawing

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In this episode of Tips From A Shipwright, Lou walks viewers through the working drawings for the boat Orca, explaining how these plans guide the entire build process. This video is Part 2 in a multi-part lofting series focused on developing the final hull shape of Orca.

Lou breaks down the primary drawing views—Profile, Half-Breadth, and Body Plan—and explains what the various dimensions, reference lines, and notations mean in a real-world boat shop. He also discusses the defining characteristics and overall hull form of classic Novi lobster boats, providing context for the shape and proportions seen in the drawings.

The episode continues with practical, shop-tested techniques for transferring drawings to full size, maintaining accuracy, and laying out fair curves. Lou demonstrates how and when to use French curves to refine lines and ensure smooth, fair shapes before cutting wood.

This video is ideal for boatbuilders, restorers, and anyone interested in understanding how traditional working drawings translate into a finished hull and set the foundation for accurate lofting.

Check out our new merchandise, including our limited run of ORCA Plaques, at our webstore:
https://tipsfromashipwright.com/store-2/

Thanks for watching, and stay tuned for more hands-on boatbuilding!

We want to thank all our supporters and followers for helping us get this far! Keep following us on this journey and check out our website and social feeds for additional content.

https://tipsfromashipwright.com/
http://www.facebook.com/tipsfromashipwright
https://www.instagram.com/tipsfromashipwright/
https://www.patreon.com/tipsfromashipwright/
Published — 5 January 2026 ⏭ Tips from a Shipwright

Team Orca

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In this Project Orca update Lou introduces the core team coming together to build Orca—a boat designed and constructed through collaboration, experience, and shared standards of craftsmanship. Lou walks viewers through who’s involved, what each partner brings to the project, and why their participation matters to the success of the build.

The Orca build team includes:
Jimmy Diresta — @jimmydiresta
Cort Corino — @alwaysanotherproject
Seakeeper — https://www.seakeeper.com/
Mack Boring — https://mackboring.com/
Selden Corp — https://www.seldenmast.com/
South Shore Boatworks — https://www.southshoreboatworks.com/
Timeless Tube — https://www.timelesstube.com/

From fabrication and systems to propulsion and rigging, each contributor plays a critical role in turning the Orca concept into a seaworthy vessel. This video sets the foundation for the build ahead and gives viewers a clear picture of how collaboration at a high level drives quality boatbuilding.

Subscribe for ongoing updates as the Orca build progresses, with in-depth shop work, real-world problem solving, and practical shipwright knowledge shared along the way.

Check out our new merchandise, including our limited run of ORCA Plaques, at our webstore:
https://tipsfromashipwright.com/store-2/

Thanks for watching, and stay tuned for more hands-on boatbuilding!

We want to thank all our supporters and followers for helping us get this far! Keep following us on this journey and check out our website and social feeds for additional content.

https://tipsfromashipwright.com/
http://www.facebook.com/tipsfromashipwright
https://www.instagram.com/tipsfromashipwright/
https://www.patreon.com/tipsfromashipwright/
Published — 15 December 2025 ⏭ Tips from a Shipwright

Building Orca - Episode 20: Lofting Pt. 1 - Grid Lines

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In this episode of Tips From A Shipwright, Lou prepares the lofting floor by laying out a precise grid—an essential first step in accurate boatbuilding. He demonstrates clear, straightforward techniques for striking true straight lines, shows how to establish perfect right angles using the Pythagorean theorem, and shares practical shop tips along the way, including how to properly sharpen a contractor’s pencil for clean, accurate marks. Whether you’re new to lofting or refining your fundamentals, this video covers the core skills that make everything that follows more accurate.

Check out our new merchandise, including our limited run of ORCA Plaques, at our webstore:
https://tipsfromashipwright.com/store-2/

Thanks for watching, and stay tuned for more hands-on boatbuilding!

We want to thank all our supporters and followers for helping us get this far! Keep following us on this journey and check out our website and social feeds for additional content.

https://tipsfromashipwright.com/
http://www.facebook.com/tipsfromashipwright
https://www.instagram.com/tipsfromashipwright/
https://www.patreon.com/tipsfromashipwright/
Published — 14 December 2025 ⏭ Tips from a Shipwright

25 11 06 Sharpen Pencil Tip Vertical

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Precision starts with the basics. In this reel, Lou walks through his method for sharpening a pencil using a hand plane—an old-school shop trick that delivers a perfectly consistent marking point for layout and lofting. Small details like this make a real difference in fine woodworking and boatbuilding. Follow along and add this technique to your toolkit.

We want to thank all our supporters and followers for helping us get this far! Keep following us on this journey and check out our website and social feeds for additional content.

https://tipsfromashipwright.com/
http://www.facebook.com/tipsfromashipwright
https://www.instagram.com/tipsfromashipwright/
https://www.patreon.com/tipsfromashipwright/
Published — 5 December 2025 ⏭ Tips from a Shipwright

Holiday Gifts From the Shop!

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Looking for the perfect gift for the boat lover in your life? Our Orca plaques and Project Orca hats are now available in the Tips From a Shipwright online store—unique pieces inspired by the iconic vessel and crafted for fans of the project.

Lofting for Orca is moving steadily along, and we’re excited to share that new lines drawings for both Orca and Lou’s flat bottom skiff will be released soon. Big steps forward as we bring these classic boats back to life!

Shop now and support the build ➤ https://tipsfromashipwright.com/store-2/

We want to thank all our supporters and followers for helping us get this far! Keep following us on this journey and check out our website and social feeds for additional content.

https://tipsfromashipwright.com/
http://www.facebook.com/tipsfromashipwright
https://www.instagram.com/tipsfromashipwright/
https://www.patreon.com/tipsfromashipwright/
Published — 29 November 2025 ⏭ Tips from a Shipwright

A Visit from Powermatic

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Join us in the shop for a special visit from Russ Mason of Powermatic Tools! Russ stops by for a shop tour and to discuss upgrading some of our Powermatic equipment—including our Table Saw, Band Saw, Jointer, Planer, and adding in an Air Filtration System.

After the delivery, Russ returns to help Lou uncrate, set up, and dial in every machine. Along the way, he breaks down the benefits of Powermatic’s latest innovations, including:

🔸 ArmorGlide coating for superior rust prevention and low friction work surface
🔸 Helicoil cutterheads for smoother, quieter, and cleaner cuts
🔸 Improved adjustability and precision across the lineup
🔸 Enhanced dust and air filtration for a cleaner, safer shop

Whether you’re a professional shipwright, a weekend woodworker, or a Powermatic fan, this episode gives you an inside look at how these tools upgrade our workflow and elevate the build of the Orca.

Find all these Powermatic Tools and more at the link below:
https://powermatic.com/products

Check out our new merchandise, including our limited run of ORCA Plaques, at our webstore:
https://tipsfromashipwright.com/store-2/

Thanks for watching, and stay tuned for more hands-on boatbuilding!

We want to thank all our supporters and followers for helping us get this far! Keep following us on this journey and check out our website and social feeds for additional content.

https://tipsfromashipwright.com/
http://www.facebook.com/tipsfromashipwright
https://www.instagram.com/tipsfromashipwright/
https://www.patreon.com/tipsfromashipwright/
Published — 17 November 2025 ⏭ Tips from a Shipwright

Building Orca - Episode 19: Installing Transom Planking Pt. 3

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In this episode of Tips From a Shipwright, we finish planking the transom of Orca!
Follow along as we walk through the full process of installing and epoxying the second layer of planking using TotalBoat Epoxy. We’ll show the techniques for securing the planks with temporary construction screws, ensuring a tight, clean bond—and then removing them once the epoxy has fully cured.

Whether you’re restoring a classic vessel or just love traditional boatbuilding, this episode offers practical tips, clean visuals, and step-by-step instruction straight from the shop.

If you'd like to purchase Epoxy or any of our sponsor TotalBoat's products, please use our affiliate link below—it helps support the channel as well:
https://www.totalboat.com/tipsfromashipwright

Check out our new merchandise, including our limited run of ORCA Plaques, at our webstore:
https://tipsfromashipwright.com/store-2/

Thanks for watching, and stay tuned for more hands-on boatbuilding!

We want to thank all our supporters and followers for helping us get this far! Keep following us on this journey and check out our website and social feeds for additional content.

https://tipsfromashipwright.com/
http://www.facebook.com/tipsfromashipwright
https://www.instagram.com/tipsfromashipwright/
https://www.patreon.com/tipsfromashipwright/
Published — 28 October 2025 ⏭ Tips from a Shipwright

Tips From A Shipwright – Shop Update!

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We’ve been making big progress here at Tips From A Shipwright — the shop is coming alive with brand-new Powermatic power tools and fresh lumber for building out our lofting floor. It’s an exciting next step as we gear up for upcoming boatbuilding projects and restoration work.

A huge thank-you to our incredible sponsors and supporters who make this possible:
⚓ Total Boat – for keeping every build together and looking good
⚙️ Powermatic – for providing the gold standard in woodworking tools
🪵 Boulter Plywood and Arnold Lumber – for supplying the wood for the lofting floor
⛵ Catboat Preservation Group – for their generous donation
🔨 The Woodworker’s Guild – for their continued encouragement and support

🧭 Check Out Our New Merchandise:
We’ve just added new items to the shop, including our limited run of ORCA Plaques — each featuring a real piece of the original Orca boat!
👉 https://tipsfromashipwright.com/store-2/

🛠️ Support the Channel:
If you'd like to purchase Wet Edge paint or any of our sponsor Total Boat’s products, please use our affiliate link below — it helps support the channel too:
👉 https://www.totalboat.com/tipsfromashipwright

Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes updates as we continue setting up the new shop and get back to the real craft — building boats!

📺 Subscribe to follow our journey, and support the channel to help keep traditional boatbuilding alive.

#TipsFromAShipwright #Boatbuilding #Woodworking #Powermatic #TotalBoat #BoatRestoration #Lofting #Shipwright #WoodworkersGuild #OrcaProject #TotalBoatPartners
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