2013 Other Van Dam - Trunk Cabin Day Cruiser

My Three Sons Construction Process: Van Dam designed and built this boat with the capability of handling the rough waters of the Straits of Mackinaw in comfort. Her well-vented and bright cabin offers a galley with microwave, refrigerator, enclosed head, and abundant storage. The Van Dam team uses state of the art design technique in their adaptation of the 3D models to not only demonstrate renderings of their boat but also to predict performance. For many decades Van Dam has been successfully using epoxy to build their custom wood boats. Utilizing this product, they have employed various methods to maximize the strength and minimize the weakness of wood. Van Dam uses a process called “cold molding”. At room temperature adhesives are applied to laminate many thin layers of wood with the grain in opposing directions to create the large structural m embers of the hull and the hull itself. Thin fiberglass sheets are incorporated between layers of wood in this process. Using principles such as treating wood like a unidirectional fiber that is stronger along the grain than across the grain contribute to the unquestionably finest workmanship in wooden boat building. Wood fabrication is not the only expertise at Van Dam. They have intense engineering experienced personnel to incorporate engine selection with appropriate power. They are unique in that they have the skill and equipment to fabricate custom fittings in stainless steel or aluminum that combine artistry and functionality. The “port hole” windows, cabin door latch, and structural stainless steel are just some of the examples incorporated within My Three Sons. The wood used in My Three Sons is predominantly mahogany and secondarily, teak. The method used to remove all the air between and impervious surface (table, partially built hull) and a flexible impervious sheet is called vacuum bagging. Van Dam uses this process to remove air between two impervious materials by way of a vacuum pump with the air pressure in our atmosphere pushing the two impervious surfaces together. My Three Sons Originally built in 2004 2013/2014 changes: - Newly designed and crafted mahogany hardtop with additional mahogany columns at the level of the structural stainless steel vertical pipes that were converted to functional “handle” supports - “Ice Box” was converted to refrigeration system - New head - New stereo with IPod capability/CD/marine quality speakers interior and exterior - New microwave oven - New stainless steel anchor - Four new bilge pumps-automatic separate in forward and rear compartments (bulkhead separates engine-rear-from-front); Bilge pumps variable capacity - New fan for interior use; portable and oscillating - Additional electrical receptacle cabin/galley - New VHF - New charger battery management system - New stainless steel insect screened double doors at entrance to cabin for cross ventilation - All painted surfaces in the interior sanded and repainted; the exterior also sanded and painted with the exception of the hull-original paint – see last item; the bottom of the hull is newly painted - The entire cockpit floor extending to the stern built in seat is covered with newly crafted grid-patterned solid mahogany (over the existing mahogany painted already perfect condition floors) - All mechanicals and engine evaluated and any needed parts repaired or replaced (i.e. impeller, alternator, battery, wiring, upgrades, etc) - Hull to be newly painted Winter/Spring 2014 (includes re-varnish of transom) – extensive prep process before paint/varnish reapplied. - 2004/2013 Van Dam Day Cruiser