Yes, Some Progress is Being Made

It's been a while since I've updated the blog again. This is partly because I've been too busy to work on the boat much. I have been getting an hour here and there though. So with these little bits of time, I have been filleting all the joints inside--hull to deck joints, deck to stringer joints..etc. It's all filleted now and I've been getting some taping done as well. It's not the kind of fun progress that looks great in photos though. I also stopped by Fiberglass Supply a few weeks ago and bought another 5 gallon epoxy kit--so when I finally get some time, I'll be set to make some good progress! Next month I've got some vacation time. I'm not going anywhere so I'm hoping to hit the project hard. (although I do have to work on my other boat to get it ready for the "Round Whidbey" race, and possibly the SJ24 nationals) I'm hoping to make it up to Bellingham next week to purchase more plywood for the cabin top.

Thanks for your patience!!

More Decking

I used 3/8 ply for the decking. It went down quite nicely and is very strong. Now that the deck is on, the boat is super stiff and strong, yet I can still lift up either end by myself. Before I build the cabin top, I will be building the structures for the keel box, and most of the cabin interior structure since it is open and easy to work on right now. I now have my yearly training and checkride for work coming up at the end of the month, so I won't be working on the boat much for a few weeks. I'm really looking forward to getting back onto the project in March!

Stringering The Deck

During the first part of February, I was able to continue work on the deck. I used 3/8 ply to build a system of plywood stringers. In the photo looking forward, you can see the halfpipe I built for my boys for Christmas--one of the many reasons, I didn't get anything done in December.

Off For The Holidays

Yep, things got pretty busy through December and January with the holidays, family, projects, work, etc.. So not much was accomplished during that period. At the end of January, I finally had some time to do a bit of work. It was great to be working on the project again. I was finally able to finish the cockpit deck. Where the cockpit sides meet the deck, I added an extra 2 inch wide angled strip. This makes a nicer transition from deck to inside by making 2 smaller angles rather than 1 sharp one. I think it also gives it a much more finished look.

More Progress

Got a bit more done today. Most of it what I got accomplished is below deck. Where the cockpit

floor panels meet the cockpit side panels, a bit of work had to be done to strengthen the joint. First I had to sand the sharp edge where the two surfaces met smooth and give it a nice rounded profile. Then I glassed it with 4" tape, and then a second layer of 6" tape. (The flash from my camera makes it look like I've got a lot of dry spots in the tape--they aren't really there..really!) I also added a couple layers of tape around the base and top of the rudder box. I also added a strip on the top edge of starboard hull and sanded it at the correct angle to receive the deck. Lastly I cut the remaining cockpit deck stringers, notched them and dry fit them into postion. If I get time to work on the boat next week, I should be able to start decking the cockpit area.

Deck Prep

I'm a few steps away from putting on cockpit deck (have to do reinforcement of the cockpit floor seams, rudder box, etc) But since I was waiting for some epoxy to cure, I started prepping the port side for deck. All the clamps are holding a strip along the top of the hull. This strip is to beef up the hull/deck joint and give me more area to glue to. I so love all the clamps--they just look so very..boat builder like! Plus, I had to use my sanding block to shape the strip to the proper deck angle--which also felt pretty craftsman like! The forward part of the cockpit deck I foresee being abused by my crew. This is where everyone jumps up to go forward and hike. To make it "Dan Proof" (and "me proof") I dry-fitted a couple 3/8" ply stringers that will lay under the 3/8" deck. The aft deck won't be walked on as much and also narrows so I will run just one stringer in that section. Note: All the cardboard covering the cockpit deck area is to keep in heat. I have a lot of stuff below the cockpit curing so I put a heater below and then made a "tent" with the cardboard. Well, tomorrow is supposed to be another rainy, windy day here on Whidbey, so maybe I'll get to play inside again and put in a few more hours on the project.

She's Got A Sweet Rear End!

I'm really happy with how the rudder project is turning out. By having the slot, it just makes everything look a lot cleaner. The middle picture shows sort of a mock up of the rudder assembly (I guess I should have flipped this picture around) Has the rudder at one end of the carbon cassette, and that stick on the other side represents a tiller that will attach to the top of the rudder post. The whole thing slides into the slot. The rudder ends up below the hull and is free to pivot. The carbon fiber part locks into the slot, and the tiller will attach to the top. The whole thing will be able to quickly pop in and out for trailering, cleaning, etc. The last pic shows the cassette in place. (There will still be another plate that goes on top of thisto clean it up and lock it in place) Note: You may notice drywall screws visible in certain pictures. These aren't permanent, they are just to hold things in position until the epoxy cures, then I'll take them back out.