All Rolled Over

Well, we got it rolled over. The morning was quite windy and even a bit snowy. David wasn't able to make it because of all the snow down south so we were going to bag the whole operation. But then the sun came out and since my dad and brother were already down here, plus neighbor Dave and bowguy Luke were able to help, we decided to go for it. I was glad I put casters on the strongback. We just wheeled the whole thing out of the shop and parked next to the field. Then we added some bracing to the hull so it wouldn't flex as we manuevered it. We were able to lift it off the male frames and set it down in the grass. Next, we slowly rolled it over. As we were half way through the roll there was a loud crack--turns out it was just one of the braces shifting (that sure got my attention!) After getting it rolled over, we removed the male forms from the strongback and replaced them with the cradles. Then we set the boat in the cradles and rolled it back into the shop. Took less than an hour. The boat looks a whole lot bigger now that it is flipped right side up. Very cool. Thanks to all who helped and to David who wanted to be here!

Book Work

As the roll over nears, I am having to give some thought as to how I'm going to build this thing. I have a hull but from here on out I'm heading off the map with this project. I don't think the original designer got much further than the hull so I hate to keep bugging him for info. So I've decided to just do the work myself using what I have to figure it out. I used a laser to project the designed water line. I then measured all dimensions at 1 foot stations. This data can be used to figure all kinds of fun stuff. Using my actual measurements, I was able to calculate the center of buoyancy and it was within 1.5 inches of where the designer predicted it should be. So this has given me confidence to press on. I'll continue my calcs and find the keel location, and mast location and that will help me figure locations for bulkheads, and stringers. I'll do some engineering calcs but will also look at similar projects to figure thickness schedules and such. I think I can probably do all this--after all, designing boats isn't an exact science and has some room for a designer's intuition. Otherwise all boats would be exactly the same..right? Besides, what could possibly go wrong??

Getting Ready The Roll Over

Looks like we will be rolling the hull over this Sunday. David, who originally came up with the concept of this design and who initially started building the hull is planning on being here to help roll it over and check out my progress on his boat. I'm thinking it should go pretty easy. It still weighs almost nothing so I think with 4 guys we can lift it off of the strongback and carry it out into the field. We will then pull off the male forms and replace them with female cradles that I built today. The roll over will be done in the field. Then we will carry it back into the shop and set in in the cradles. We will then do any adjusting to make sure it is straight and level. After this we will sit back and admire the fine lines of this vessel as it sits in a proper boatlike position.

Study Break!

Ok, I am so close to flipping the boat over. So why no updates? Well, because I'm studying for my yearly simulator checkrides for my work. I figure I'd better do some prep to make sure I pass and keep my job. My budget for this project is already pretty tight but without a job...well, it wouldn't be pretty! So flipping the boat will wait until after I'm done with my rides, then I can hit it hard again.

Now We Are Getting Somewhere!

Well, the temperature finally warmed for a while so I was able to get out and work on the boat. I sanded like a madman for a couple days and got the bottom all smooth. Then I coated the bottom with two thin coats of straight epoxy to seal everthing. And again, I sanded. Actually, the sanding was easy. The hard part is always getting the blush off the epoxy. When epoxy cures (especially West System) part of the process produces this sticky waxy substance that lays on top of the cured epoxy. If you try sand it, it instantly gums up the sandpaper. So it has to be washed off before it can be sanded. I've found that using a spray bottle with bleach and water works well. I spray it all down and then scrub with a scotchbrite pad. Then I spray some more. The water that drips off is bright orange as it contains the blush. After getting most of this off, I wet sand the surface to get the rest off.

So after getting everything smooth, I applied a high build epoxy primer (interprotect 2000) This will act as additional protection, fill any small scratches, and provide a base for the anti-fouling paint I will later apply. I have rolled on three coats, and will put on a couple more. Then I will wet sand it so its nice and smooth. Then it's time to turn the boat over and begin working on the inside. I will finish fairing the bilge and shear once the deck and bulkheads are installed and the hull is more stable. I am really please with how it is looking. Everything looks smooth, straight, and fair---sweet!

Wrecking Day!

Thanks to my friend Doug for letting me know about a boat in the yard that was being scrapped. Doug laid claim to lots of stainless steel for me. We were able to get all the stanchions with their bases, the stainless lifeline, chainplate stock, and even a bow pulpit that we may be able to modify for Vertigo. It was sort of sad seeing an old classic wooden boat come to its end but was pretty cool to get some of the parts. Now the old boat can live on in Vertigo!

Vertigo gets a Rig

Today the rig for Vertigo arrived. It is a carbon fiber Melges 24 mast that had been on an Express 27. The owner was making his boat stock again to race one design in the bay area and was looking to unload this one. It is pretty much the complete rig with spreaders, mast step, tapered carbon boom, nearly new stainless standing rigging, and 2 dacron mainsails that are in pretty good condition. So now it's probably time that I get sanding on my boat so that I can use this cool rig someday! I also learned today that my friend Doug,who works at the local boat yard, has laid claim to some stainless stancions, bow pulpit, and lifelines that he's going to send my way. Thanks Doug!