Hello all,
I just got back from the first of two 2010 trips up to our place in Nova Scotia, and I thought I'd post pics of our project.
My wife and I have been in the process of building a cabin on an uninhabited island off of the east coast of Nova Scotia for about 4 years now. Since we only manage to get up there for a week or so each summer, progress has been slow. Over the past few summers we've managed to build an 8x12 storage shed, put in a basic cabin foundation, and build a 12x16 deck with attached porch.
This year I decided to go up for 2 weeks in June/July to make as much progress as I could actually framing and sheathing the cabin itself. My brother came with me for the first week, then flew back home. My wife joined me for the second week.
The island is about 60 acres in size, located about 1 mile offshore. Its just to the east of a large peninsula that shelters it from the prevailing SW winds, and the water is nearly always calm (if cold). A local lobsterman lets us use his wharf on the mainland to park our car and load our boat. From the wharf to the island is about a 5 minute boat ride in good conditions. The nearest town is about a 15 minute drive from the wharf, and has all that we need: hardware store/lumberyard, grocery store, RCMP post, hospital, etc. Amazingly, cell phone reception on the island is excellent.
There is obviously no electrical service on the island, so we use a generator to power our tools and charge batteries. Eventually we'd like to install a basic solar/wind power system. I'm also considering using salvaged RV propane appliances for cooking and refrigeration, hooked up to a bank of grill tanks.
First load of 2x4s:
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/915f59dc.jpg)
To get out to the island and ferry all the materials, we have 2 boats: a 12' aluminum skiff with a 9.9Hp motor, and a 13' Boston Whaler with a 25. We also keep a canoe for poking around. Here's a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIvct6OJomE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIvct6OJomE) of one of our lumber runs to the island.
The cabin design is a basic one-room 12x16 with an 8 foot deep loft on one end, plus an attached 8x16 foot covered porch. I had originally intended to build a post-and-beam frame at my shop in Mass and trailer it up, but realized that the weight of the timbers was just too much, considering how far they have to be carried to the site, so I stick framed it instead. I also pre-built all the windows, the door, and all the casings ahead of time. The windows were old wood double-hungs that I salvaged out of a dumpster and rebuilt with new jambs and sills. The door came out of my mother-in-laws old farmhouse in NH.
Here's a shot of the deck and attached porch:
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/68b82465.jpg)
The deck is built of 2x8 PT and decked with 1x6 T&G spruce. I threw a coat of oil based paint on ito help protect it. Its starting to peel after 2 years, but has certainly helped. The porch is 5/4x6 PT decking boards over 2x8 PT joists. The whole thing rests on 2 doubled-up 2x10 PT girders, which in turn sit on 4x4s attached to precast concrete piers set on bedrock and backfilled with beach gravel. Bedrock is only a foot or so below grade on most of the island.
The long walls were framed in 2 separate sections to make them easier for two guys to raise:
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/9ae15b5b.jpg)
Since I didnt want to use plywood or OSB sheathing on the cabin (to difficult to carry, and too ugly on the inside) I set in 1x4 pine knee braces into the frame to provide racking resistance:
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/83ec3015.jpg)
Rear wall up and braced:
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/0293e4e0.jpg)
South wall up:
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/91e9951b.jpg)
The view out the front, looking east over our cove and some of the nearby islands (all uninhabited):
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/a0b42212.jpg)
Roof pitch is 12/12, framed with 2x6s, with an overhang at the back wall and a smooth transition at the front to the 3/12 porch roof:
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/9664137d.jpg)
All the rafters up, and the traditional spruce sapling nailed to the peak to appease the Gods:
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/63247848.jpg)
The view from the loft, looking south over the open Atlantic:
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/d86d01cc.jpg)
My brother had to go home after the first week, so he flew out and my wife flew in. Once we got back to the island, the work started up again, with me as builder and she as laborer. She probably did 75% of the carrying from the beach to the site: 250 yards in, 60 feet vertical rise, over a twisting, muddy trail through the woods. She was a trooper.
I wanted to frame the porch with 4x4 cedar, but found out too late that the local yard only had PT 4x4s, so I had to use those. I used a simple drawbored lap joint and oak pegs (whittled from scraps in the kindling pile) to join the top plate, then mortised the 3 posts. Then I let in 1x4 knee braces for strength:
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/951e1f46.jpg)
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/309cc66e.jpg)
Porch roof framed with 2x6s:
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/a0e813a8.jpg)
After 2 solid days of heavy downpours, we were behind schedule, so we concentrated on getting all the remaining materials up to the site and tarped, and sheathing the 2 short walls with 1x6 T&G spruce laid on at a 45 degree angle for additional racking resistance. I also set the windows in the 2 gable end walls, mostly because I was interested to see how they came out:
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/f265bfb3.jpg)
A few more views of the half-sheathed cabin:
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/ca2ae45b.jpg)
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/a68a0cf1.jpg)
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/d4ae4aa2.jpg)
Now my plan is to head back up later this summer to finish the sheathing and install the steel roofing. Next summer will be trim and siding (cedar shake), installing the wood stove, and starting to fit out the interior.
looking good, better get that spruce treated or stained with something, the sun and rain will eat that alive.
Beautiful country and a snug little cabin. Anyone who isn't just a little bit jealous of that spot must not be living right! ;D
Great job on the construction! I like that you incorporated a little post and beam style into the standard stick build. That's what I tried to do, but without the nice joinery that you did. I would really like to learn about that someday. It's on my list... [waiting]
Keep us posted as you go, can't wait to see how it turns out!
Wow great project, I am looking forward to following your progress. I used to have a 13 foot boston whaler with a 40 HP evinrude. Great little boat, wish I still had it.
Quote from: rocking23nf on July 05, 2010, 03:38:13 PM
looking good, better get that spruce treated or stained with something, the sun and rain will eat that alive.
Since I'm planning on being back up there in a few weeks, I'm not too worried. One year exposed to the elements won't be too bad. The shed we built 4 years ago is covered with the same stuff and, while it has grayed considerably, it still seems to be holding up well:
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/cb5de950.jpg)
Next year I'm planning on putting up cedar shakes over tar paper to finish off the outside of the cabin.
Quote from: dug on July 05, 2010, 04:41:35 PM
I like that you incorporated a little post and beam style into the standard stick build.
I was pretty disappointed when I realized that timber framing the cabin was unrealistic, especially considering that I'd already bought all the timbers. I love post-and-beam (I built my shed and my shop that way), but carrying those big pieces so far into the woods was just impractical.
Quote from: Mike 870 on July 05, 2010, 07:43:20 PM
I used to have a 13 foot boston whaler with a 40 HP evinrude. Great little boat, wish I still had it.
That Whaler is a
great boat. I've loaded the hell out of it and it still floats right on its waterline. 25 Hp is underpowered, though. But I do love that 4-stroke.
When I hit the lottery I'm gonna buy one of these:
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/packman_23.png)
Great looking cabin you have there. Craftsmanship of the highest quality, good work! Thanks for posting the pics. :)
Oh man, I am green with envy. What a great location. Got any pictures from the water?
Quote from: NM_Shooter on July 14, 2010, 12:31:19 PM
Oh man, I am green with envy. What a great location. Got any pictures from the water?
I was so busy during the 2 weeks that I was there that I didn't get out in the boat to check out what it looks like from the water until the end of the last day. Since it was sunset, the light wasn't the greatest, but here's the best shot of the bunch:
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/87960895.jpg)
You can just make out the frame in the center of the pic. Still a bit of clearing to do to open up the view.
I also posted a video "tour" of the island on YouTube, which gives a good idea of how the site is laid out (although YouTude's video quality leaves something to be desired):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCArg3P-M5g (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCArg3P-M5g)
Another video, this time of the trip around the island to check out the cabin from the water:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuSIyCJ_2ps (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuSIyCJ_2ps)
What a beautiful spot and a great cabin. The island reminds me of the San Juan Islands just north of me. Those are way more populated though.
Do you own the land or is it remote enough that it's yours by default?
I like your style with the multiple boats. I subscribe to the same philosophy and have a 12' aluminum like you but felt the need to overpower it with a 15hp and I love it. I also have a canoe and a 18' Tiderunner for Puget Sound. I wish I had a whaler like yours too. It's weird it has a 25hp since usually Whalers are notoriously overpowered but with the convenience of a fourstroke probably makes up for the speed when loaded. Good think you don't have to go too far, but from the video you can haul-ass with little weight in her.
Dave:
Very nice work on your cabin and (as everyone has been gushing) a truly lovely site. :D :D :D
Pretty fine progress too, I might add. I see that you ordered the Enchilada Plans kit (http://www.jshow.com/y2k/listings/43.html) on 5/1/10!
First cabin workmanship by a craftsman who knows how to use a chisel and real wood.
Quote from: Solar Burrito on July 15, 2010, 02:15:04 PM
What a beautiful spot and a great cabin. The island reminds me of the San Juan Islands just north of me. Those are way more populated though.
Do you own the land or is it remote enough that it's yours by default?
I like your style with the multiple boats. I subscribe to the same philosophy and have a 12' aluminum like you but felt the need to overpower it with a 15hp and I love it. I also have a canoe and a 18' Tiderunner for Puget Sound. I wish I had a whaler like yours too. It's weird it has a 25hp since usually Whalers are notoriously overpowered but with the convenience of a fourstroke probably makes up for the speed when loaded. Good think you don't have to go too far, but from the video you can haul-ass with little weight in her.
We bought the land 5 years ago. Its amazing how cheap islands were selling for, and back then the US dollar was a heckuva lot stronger than it is now. Our trips up there keep getting more and more expensive. All I can say is: Budweiser at $45 a case
hurts!
We did luck out with the property. We looked at 5 or 6 islands before settling on this one. It has all we were looking for: totally private and remote, but close to land; great views; good elevation; and a protected cove for landing. Only thing it lacks is a sandy beach. All the beaches are gravel, but the water is too damn cold for swimming anyway.
The Whaler is underpowered, but the whole package was such a good deal that I couldn't pass it up. And she still gets up and goes pretty good, as long as I don't try to carry 100 2x4x8s at once, like I did the first time over.
Quote from: John Raabe on July 15, 2010, 02:47:11 PM
Dave:
Very nice work on your cabin and (as everyone has been gushing) a truly lovely site. :D :D :D
Pretty fine progress too, I might add. I see that you ordered the Enchilada Plans kit (http://www.jshow.com/y2k/listings/43.html) on 5/1/10!
First cabin workmanship by a craftsman who knows how to use a chisel and real wood.
Thanks for the kind words, John. The plans helped out amazingly. I had fully intended to build a post-and-beam frame (even going so far as buying the timbers from the local sawmill) before I realized that it was impractical to carry them that far into the woods. By that point my trip was planned, plane tickets bought, etc, so I was committed. I'm a wooden boatbuilder and timber framer by trade, and have (believe it or not) never built a stick-framed building before. All I can say is, I have a new-found respect for framers! I'm spoiled never having had to deal with dimensional lumber before. Yikes, that stuff is wonky! Still, the cabin is coming out pretty well. Hopefully all my screwups will be hidden behind sheathing before a real framer ever sees it!
I just got back from another week-long trip to the property. My father and I managed to get the remaining walls sheathed, the steel roofing on, and the last windows and the door in. It should be pretty well buttoned up for the winter:
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/d6e307a9.jpg)
We ran into a few snags (as usual). The cool old antique doorknob I bought at the local salvage place for $2 is too big to clear the jamb, so a pair of mini vise-grips are standing in as a temporary replacement. Also, the top casing I built for the rear window is too tall and interferes with the soffit, so I'll have to come up with something else. All in all, however, it was a good trip.
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/9da7b06a.jpg)
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/9e81a23f.jpg)
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/c4eae754.jpg)
That chair on the deck really makes is seem like home . . .
You've done a great job!
/.
Wow - your own country... that's what I want. Nice job and cool place.
I lightened up the photo above a bit to get a better look.
(https://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy62/the_troglodyte/daves.jpg)
Glenn,
Thats awesome, thanks! The sun was directly behind the cabin when I took that shot, and I've been squinting every time I look at it.
What a beautiful spot and a great job on the cabin! Where abouts in N.S. are you?
Al
No problem, Dave.
Is there fresh water on the island or would you have to rainwater harvest?
looks good, wish i was there to help ya, im going back home to newfoundland in 2weeks for holidays, close enough. I miss the ocean.
Alasdair,
We're just southwest of Sheet Harbour, about 1 mile offshore, near Taylor Head
Glenn,
No fresh water that we've found so far. Rainwater collection seems like the way to go, but freezing is going to be a problem. With bedrock just a few inches or so below grade, I'm not going to be able to bury a cistern, and I worry that any rainwater remaining in the system when we leave in late summer will freeze up and burst the tank. Alternately, if I drain it before we leave, it will be empty when we arrive the following year and we'll still have to haul water in. Its a problem I haven't come up with a solution to yet.
our rain water barrels freeze and they haven't had a problem yet in 3 years. Not that Washington state is as cold as Nova Scotia. Maybe consider potable 55 gallon rain barrels, they are cheap and if one does burst you'd only be out $30. Probably have to make sure you drain any pipes you have though.
The problem we had with a frozen rain barrel is that the metal valve at the bottom cracked, then leaked everything out after the thaw. Another barrel that was just sitting there half full, no valves, came through okay. Our barrels are recycled food grade pickled pepper barrels.
And how many pecks of peppers did Peter have to pick to procure those pickled pepper barrels?
I crack myself up! [rofl2]
I've been told that the secret to keeping a water tank from rupturing when frozen is to use one that has outward-sloping sides, so that the top is wider than the bottom. Can anyone confirm this? Seems to make sense...
Quote from: Onkeludo2 on August 24, 2010, 01:24:56 PM
And how many pecks of peppers did Peter have to pick to procure those pickled pepper barrels?
I crack myself up! [rofl2]
Well, let's see.... one Peck = 2 gallons. :D IIRC, the barrels are 60 gallon, so that would be 30 pecks per barrel. ;D ;D
http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/units/foreign.htm#usa (http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/units/foreign.htm#usa)
[rofl2] [rofl2] [rofl2]
Dave some say that you can put an air bladder in your tanks/barrel and they will absorb the expansion. Maybe use an automobile innertube portion with hose clamps on either side of the fill valve. Weight it down with a counter weight and string to hold it mid center of the container. Just a thought. Of course this will do nothing for any drains or valves you have which will have to be bled.
I have a couple recycled food grade pickled pepper barrels as well. Italian salad pickles if the light scent in my hair after washing with water stored in them was any indication. Anyway that was a few years ago and there is no scent now.
This is not a suggestion that these barrels are the answer to your water issue....but if you have bed rock mayhaps a hewn cistern is a possibility.
Dave hope you weathered "Earl " OK
http://www.amazon.com/Katadyn-Power-Survivor-Watermaker-Desalinator/dp/B000F356WO/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1283753012&sr=8-6
At over $3k and only 1.5gph this is a bit spendy for only 36 gallons of water in 24 hours but perhaps with a little searching you can find a less expensive desalination for your cabin.
Then you will NEVER need to worry about water since you have an entire ocean to draw from :)
http://www.foreverpure.com/products_SWRO-70.htm
This one is $3280 retail but produces 70 gallons per day and is designed for use with solar, wind or other alternate power systems perfect for your application. Again spendy but eliminates the need for a cistern since you have an Ocean to draw from :)
Quote70 GPD
ULTRA-COMPACT DESALINATION SYSTEM/WATERMAKER
* can run on solar/wind hybrid power system
* or can run on gas/natural gas/propane (engine driven design)
* Great for beach homes, boats, yachts, or for emergency response.
* Starting at $3280 Retail
Quote from: Redoverfarm on September 05, 2010, 09:56:06 PM
Dave hope you weathered "Earl " OK
Me too! Earl was a bust down here in SE Mass. Dunno what it did up in NS. Hopefully my buddy the lobsterman will be able to get out to the island soon to check on the cabin. There are a few trees that I didnt get around to taking down last time that worry me a bit. Fingers crossed...
Quote from: OlJarhead on September 06, 2010, 01:12:51 AM
http://www.foreverpure.com/products_SWRO-70.htm
This one is $3280 retail but produces 70 gallons per day and is designed for use with solar, wind or other alternate power systems perfect for your application. Again spendy but eliminates the need for a cistern since you have an Ocean to draw from :)
Hmmm, desalinization. That never occurred to me. But $3K+ is pricey, and then there are the costs of operation (filters etc.) I wonder what the cost per gallon works out to. Still, worth looking into. And since I work at a boat yard, there may be a marine system that would work (and that I could buy at wholesale). I need to talk to our systems guys at the yard...
Pricey? Depends on the basis used for reference. I don't know anyone here who has spent less than $10K for a well and one person who spent $20K.
Quote from: MountainDon on September 06, 2010, 11:51:06 PM
Pricey? Depends on the basis used for reference. I don't know anyone here who has spent less than $10K for a well and one person who spent $20K.
I hadn't thought of that! Good point Don! It can easily cost $10k to get a good well drilled...and then a Cistern and pump, etc put in.
With the Ocean right there....
Of course if one didn't plan for it then it's expensive maybe.
Quote from: MountainDon on September 06, 2010, 11:51:06 PM
Pricey? Depends on the basis used for reference. I don't know anyone here who has spent less than $10K for a well and one person who spent $20K.
An excellent point. But if I can get a working rainwater system going, I'l probably be out no more than a few hundred bucks. On the other hand, I was only planning on using rainwater for washing etc, while still hauling drinking and cooking water in. With the desalinization rig I wouldn't have to carry in any water at all. When I get up to the cabin I could use a hand pump (or whatever) to fill a barrel with seawater, then fire up the desalinator and have it feed directly into my water tank under the kitchen sink. I'd probably need to up-size my solar/wind setup to provide enough juice to run the thing for 24 hours straight that first day, then maybe once a week after that. I like it.
More stuff to think about!
We just got back from our latest trip up to the cabin, and I thought folks might like an update on our progress.
The plan this year was to spend the 2 weeks we had finishing the trim, painting, shingling, and installing the through-wall wood stove chimney thimble. A fairly modest goal, we had thought, and since this was going to our son's first stay at the cabin, we figured it would give us plenty of time for relaxing, exploring, etc.
Unfortunately, this trip was plagued from the beginning with one disaster after another. Trailer problems, outboard motor problems, trees-falling-on-the-cabin problems, and MAJOR weather problems. Short story, we didn't get it all done, and we were wet and miserable for a good portion of the trip, but all was not lost. My six year old son turned out to be the biggest trooper of the bunch, never complaining once about cold sleeping bags or drowned campfires, and we did make some good progress.
I'm too tired to post a complete log of our trip, but here are a few shots to show how we left it.
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/Nova%20Scotia%202011/IMG_0413.jpg)
North wall shingled, and the shutters installed.
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/Nova%20Scotia%202011/IMG_0407-1.jpg)
South wall, showing the wood stove thimble and how far I got before I ran out of shingles (don't ask)
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/Nova%20Scotia%202011/IMG_0437.jpg)
Front door, with a cool antique bronze handle finally replacing the rusted Vise-Grip stand-ins
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/Nova%20Scotia%202011/IMG_0452.jpg)
The cabin as we left it. Three walls shingled, most of the trim and paint completed, but still missing some shutters and other various random bits. Tar paper will have to suffice for the west wall and the bit above the loft window until next year. The interior is still unfinished. I still have to figure out a water supply, come up with a basic electrical setup, deal with outhouse issues, and get a woodstove in. Not to mention furnish it.
But still, the views make it all worth it:
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/Nova%20Scotia%202011/IMG_0439.jpg)
For those who are interested, more pics can be found here: https://s88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/Nova%20Scotia%202011/?albumview=slideshow (https://s88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/Nova%20Scotia%202011/?albumview=slideshow)
very nice!!! sorry to hear all the troubles.
great job.. nice work with the cedar shingles.. i love them! are you going to let them weather naturally? I put cabot's bleaching oil on mine.. one coat and that is it for life.. supposedly they will weather more evenly with it on. you guys have a beautiful setting. i am sure that the effort that you are putting into it, along with the setbacks, will be well worth it!
I forgot how beautiful a job you did. Keep posting every now and again to remind me. Top quality work.
A very well done cabin
Quote from: pocono_couple on July 21, 2011, 05:52:44 AM
great job.. nice work with the cedar shingles.. i love them! are you going to let them weather naturally? I put cabot's bleaching oil on mine.. one coat and that is it for life.. supposedly they will weather more evenly with it on. you guys have a beautiful setting. i am sure that the effort that you are putting into it, along with the setbacks, will be well worth it!
No, we didn't stain or pre-treat them. I've been told that the best way to do that is to dip every one, and there was no way I was going to go through that. I figure that we'll get 10 years or so out of the south wall, maybe double that on the others. The (untreated) shingles I put on my barn 9 years ago are still going strong. The biggest bummer is that the small triangle above the loft window won't match for a few years. I may try to hide that patch behind he solar panels. Did you buy your shingles pre-treated or did you do them yourselves?
Looks like your cabin is coming along nicely.
As for a rainwater system, I have a mix of blue plastic 55 gallon barrels, a 4-foot diameter round galvanized steel stock tank, and our latest addition is a 100-gallon Rubbermaid plastic stock tank. Not sure about total storage, but probably at least 500 gallons. If we can ever get our neighbor to dig a big hole we will bury a cistern tank for drinking water, but it is very nice to have gardening and washing water from the rainwater tanks.
No plumbing in most of them. The temps here dropped to 10-15 degrees F last winter, no problems so far. For years I have just left the stock tank out all year. About 3 years ago I put a 3/4" pipe and hose bib on it, and that could fail, but so far it hasn't. I put plywood covers on them to keep most of the crud out.
The 100-gallon Rubbermaid tank cost us about $70 last weekend, and a quick search of the internet found round plastic tanks for cheap including a Ace Roto Mold 920 Gallon Round Stock Tank ARM-10135
SKU: 017210534 for US$372.99. That's only about 40-70 cents per gallon which is pretty cheap for water storage.
If you are worried about freezing I would put a pump system on the top of the tank which could be removed when you are gone or during the winter months. We are cheap so we just dip into the tanks/barrels with buckets most of the time and it works OK.
It will probably cost us about $20,000 for a well, so if I had the option for a cheap $4000 system based on a desalinator I'd jump on it.
Only been to Nova Scotia once, but I quite enjoyed it and hope to get back up that way sometime...
Good luck [cool]
Quote from: Pine Cone on July 21, 2011, 09:22:45 PM
About 3 years ago I put a 3/4" pipe and hose bib on it, and that could fail, but so far it hasn't.
Our 300 gallon stock tank has the boss for the faucet threaded all the way through (1.5") I have a plug I intend to thread in on the inside before we hit heavy freezing temperatures. That way I can then open the ball valve to drain it and prevent freeze damage. Then in spring I can remove the plug and carry on without losing any water. Water is at a premium in the desert mountains.
I think I'm going to go with a simple 55 gal plastic rainwater barrel for catching water, then a smaller poly tank under the kitchen sink. I'll use a hand pump to transfer water from the barrel to the tank when we arrive, then drain the kitchen tank at the end of our stay. Leave the barrel full over the winter and hope for the best.
For electricity, a small solar panel feeding a couple of golf cart batteries and a simple charge controller and inverter should be all we need. Just enough to run one or two lights and recharge our phones. Gotta do some figuring to size the system right, but I'd like to keep it as small and simple (and cheap) as possible.
For a woodstove, I want to find the tiniest boxwood stove I can. At less than 200 sq ft of living space, anything bigger will be overkill, and will take up too much room.
With less than 200 sq ft wood stoves are just about all too big for the space when clearances are considered. This is a case where a small direct vent propane heater might make for a practical solution. ???
Hi Dave,
i thought about the pre staining idea, but it just seemed like too much to tackle.. i have read that they should be stained front and back because, otherwise, the cedar reacts negatively with the new building papers .. which is why some folks that i know still use tar paper.. but, i went ahead and installed them and then put the oil on with a brush.. not too much of a mess.
even without treating them, i would expect to get long life out of them.. that is the wonderful thing about cedar.. as long as the natural weathered color is acceptable... i have been nailing mine.. stainless ringed nails.. i did just buy a compressor and a gun.. maybe i will switch to staples.. not sure yet.. good luck with your next phase.. you are in a beautiful spot ! jason
Pocono,
I went with SS ring shanks too. Had to use 1" nails so the points didn't poke through on the inside, and I was a little concerned about holding power, but they grabbed great and should hold up well in our oceanfront location. I had started with silicon bronze nails, but they were too soft to punch through the hard spruce knots in the siding. The SS ones worked great.
I used a air stapler when I shingled my barn, and it sure was faster, but I think hand-nailing is the way to go. Better control for setting the nail heads at just the right depth: tight, but not crushing the wood fibers.
Quote from: davestreck on July 23, 2011, 07:18:29 AM
I think I'm going to go with a simple 55 gal plastic rainwater barrel for catching water, then a smaller poly tank under the kitchen sink. I'll use a hand pump to transfer water from the barrel to the tank when we arrive, then drain the kitchen tank at the end of our stay. Leave the barrel full over the winter and hope for the best.
For electricity, a small solar panel feeding a couple of golf cart batteries and a simple charge controller and inverter should be all we need. Just enough to run one or two lights and recharge our phones. Gotta do some figuring to size the system right, but I'd like to keep it as small and simple (and cheap) as possible.
For a woodstove, I want to find the tiniest boxwood stove I can. At less than 200 sq ft of living space, anything bigger will be overkill, and will take up too much room.
Dickson makes a 7000btu wood stove for saleboats. I think it would do the trick!
I think solid fuel is the way to go, simply because of availability and convenience. If I ever get a propane system installed for cooking and refrigeration, a propane heater might be an option, but not initially. So I'm still shopping options in a wood stove. Short of finding a tiny antique box stove to restore, I'm leaning toward either the Morso 1410 or my Shipmate boat stove:
The Morso (sorry for the tiny pic):
(http://www.morsona.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/thumbnail/150x150/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/1/4/1410stove1100px_1.jpg)
The Shipmate:
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/0e8be9ec.jpg)
The problem with the Morso is that its $1000. The problem with the Shipmate is that its primarily a cook stove with a tiny firebox, and also that I've been saving it to put in my dream boat when I ever get around to building it.
Does anyone have any experience with the Morso stoves?
Nice place. :)
Hi Dave,
The place looks great - regarding the stove we used to have a morso squirrel, it was a great little stove but in a 200ft cabin you will have the windows open even when it is -20! We currently have an aspen by vermont castings, also a great little stove but we are often cooked out in the winter as you can't burn a stove cool enough to be comfortable without causing potentially hazardous creosote. The little boat stove is cute but probably not practical in cabin. I don't know what the answer is if you figure something out let me know!
:)
Your Photobucket album was a great read. Wonderful cabin in a very lovely spot and a place for many years of stories.
The Jøtul F 602 CB is "the best-selling woodstove ever produced. It is also the smallest wood stove on the market." About $800 - $950.
(http://www.woodstovesguide.com/images/Jotul-F602-woodstove.jpg)
I have a Jøtul F 602 in my cabin. Great stove.
Quote from: John Raabe on July 25, 2011, 08:05:10 PM
Your Photobucket album was a great read. Wonderful cabin in a very lovely spot and a place for many years of stories.
The Jøtul F 602 CB is "the best-selling woodstove ever produced. It is also the smallest wood stove on the market." About $800 - $950.
(http://www.woodstovesguide.com/images/Jotul-F602-woodstove.jpg)
Smaller then the Aspen?
We have the aspen for our 500+ sq/ft place (if you include lofts) and it's more then enough!
The cool thing about the Morsoe is the clearance. I believe it has the smallest clearance givinig it the smallest footprint of any wood stove. It might be a pita cutting the wood so small.
An 8000 btu direct vent propane heater would probably be much cheaper, safer, and more comfortable. You would spend more on the chimney for the wood stove than you would on the entire propane heater setup.
Quote from: Squirl on July 25, 2011, 08:37:29 PM
An 8000 btu direct vent propane heater would probably be much cheaper, safer, and more comfortable. You would spend more on the chimney for the wood stove than you would on the entire propane heater setup.
True, but since I've already bought all the chimney components, and installed the through-wall thimble, I'm pretty committed to a wood stove. Plus its free to feed and doesn't involve humping propane cylinders into the woods. Propane my be in our future once we start tackling refrigeration issues, but not for a few years.
The systems I have to figure out are, in order of importance:
1. heat: woodstove
2. water: rainwater collection and hand pumps. We still have to carry in drinking water
3. electric: basic (but expandable) AC solar/wind system. Low power requirements to start, maybe 300-500Wh per day; generator backup
4. septic: outhouse with composting sawdust toilet, basic greywater disposal field
5. refrigeration: used RV fridge, plus coolers and block ice (we freeze gallon spring water jugs and use them to keep the coolers cool)
Thats my 5 year plan to give us a solid, but not fancy, off-grid cabin that we can comfortably stay in for a month or more in the summer. Sure looks formidable when I write it all together like that...
When you think of refridgeration there are many 12V versions which will run on an 85watt panel
there are some cheap ones- norcold and a range from compact appliance which have been cheap but hit and miss in the overland community.
then there are Engel -rigged reliable and simple using low current
then up a price range but fully dual systems are Luna from southafrica
I run an Engel in my road truck and beer fridge when its at home- very good bit of equipment if you can swallow the price !
Hi Dave,
I just came across your post by internet search. Your cabin is EXACTLY what I want to build on my land in Canada.
Our stories are quite similar. I live on the DownEast coast of Maine. About 12 years ago (before I knew I would be living on the water in Maine) we bought land with friends on Grand Manan Island in the Bay of Fundy. GM is about 20 miles off shore and is served by a wonderful ferry service. The island has a ~3000 year round population and we are able to drive right to our site on the edge of a 140' cliff with southern exposure (I can see NS on the horizon!)
Our friends have built several small cabins on their land but we were lazy and put a 30' travel trailer on our spot. Now my wife says it's time for the trailer to go! I have already built a 12 x 16 platform and was intending to construct a cabin exactly like yours. I really wanted something post & beam like you but may end up with stick built.
I would really love to be able to chat with you as I am a very slow typist! Any chance we could talk sometime?
Thanks! John
Quote from: davestreck on July 15, 2010, 07:39:20 PM
We bought the land 5 years ago. Its amazing how cheap islands were selling for, and back then the US dollar was a heckuva lot stronger than it is now. Our trips up there keep getting more and more expensive. All I can say is: Budweiser at $45 a case hurts!
We did luck out with the property. We looked at 5 or 6 islands before settling on this one. It has all we were looking for: totally private and remote, but close to land; great views; good elevation; and a protected cove for landing. Only thing it lacks is a sandy beach. All the beaches are gravel, but the water is too damn cold for swimming anyway.
The Whaler is underpowered, but the whole package was such a good deal that I couldn't pass it up. And she still gets up and goes pretty good, as long as I don't try to carry 100 2x4x8s at once, like I did the first time over.
Hello Dave, I've read through your posts and am pretty impressed at what you've achieved; a great job indeed! I am considering getting an island in Nova Scotia and would be very interested in your experiences so far. I would also welcome as much advice as you can offer!
A few things that I would love to find out from someone who has experienced it first hand:
1. What are the planning restrictions in Nova Scotia for building a cottage on an island? I'm eventually looking to be permanently based there and so would like to build something with 2 bedrooms etc.
2. You mentioned break-ins somewhere. Is that a real problem? How have tried to prevent them?
3. Do you have wildlife on your island? Birds, deer, other animals etc? Is the a problem with mosquitoes etc?
Etc. etc. I have loads more, but think it would be better to ask you directly if possible?
Many thanks in advance, Cheers Matthew.
Quote from: strattonworthy on September 16, 2013, 09:46:17 AM
Hello Dave, I've read through your posts and am pretty impressed at what you've achieved; a great job indeed! I am considering getting an island in Nova Scotia and would be very interested in your experiences so far. I would also welcome as much advice as you can offer!
Matthew,
Although I haven't posted here in a while, we still have the cabin and continue to work on it every summer (photos of our latest trip here: https://s88.photobucket.com/user/davestreck/slideshow/Nova%20Scotia%202013 (https://s88.photobucket.com/user/davestreck/slideshow/Nova%20Scotia%202013)). The cabin is finished on the outside, and we are slowly getting the inside squared away. I have the components of the solar system assembled, and I hope to have it set up next summer, followed by the rainwater cistern and the 12V pump/propane water heater. It has been quite a process so far, but we couldn't be happier with the way it is coming along. In spite of all the extra work that building on an island entails, it has been totally worth it.
Quote1. What are the planning restrictions in Nova Scotia for building a cottage on an island? I'm eventually looking to be permanently based there and so would like to build something with 2 bedrooms etc.
To be honest, we never got a permit for our cabin. All the locals we asked about it just laughed at the question. I'm not even sure where the building inspector's office is. Apparently in our area people build "camps" quite often without ever notifying the province about it. It remains to be seen if I'll ever see any fallout from this decision, and I certainly recommend that you fully follow all regulations wherever you decide to build.
Quote2. You mentioned break-ins somewhere. Is that a real problem? How have tried to prevent them?
We experienced break-ins in the first few years we were building, although none during this past year. This may be due to the fact that we have become friendly with a number of locals (including a few that swing some weight in our little town) who we encourage to go out and use the cabin whenever we're away. They tend to keep an eye on it and (I suspect) warn away some of the local miscreants. In any case, we have dealt with the threat of break ins in 3 ways: (1) no locks, (2) nothing stored out in the open that we can't live without, and (3) a "secret" room where more expensive gear is hidden
Quote3. Do you have wildlife on your island? Birds, deer, other animals etc? Is the a problem with mosquitoes etc?
We have a healthy population of deer on the island:
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k182/davestreck/IMG_0234_zps13943f68.jpg)
We regularly see bald eagles, loons and many types of seabirds. I have seen bear on the mainland just a few miles away, but never on the island itself. Seals and dolphins are common sights in the water in front of the cabin. Bugs are surprisingly mild on the island, at least in late summer when we usually go. Occasional mosquitoes (no worse than at home in coastal Massachusetts) but no No-See-Ums, which is a blessing. Horseflies are bad on the mainland but uncommon on the island, I'm not sure why. Overall, most days I don't bother to put bug spray on at all.
Hope this answers your questions. Good luck with your project, and don't believe people when they say you're crazy!
Cheers,
David