May 2016

May 23, 2016

This weekend I have finished the lamination of the hull; all four layers.  I started this process on July 2, 2013.  I still need to do a little trimming on the port side and some sanding at the stern and bow but it's all installed.  That was 128 sheets of 1/4" plywood cut to 10" strips (640 strips).  For most of the hull, two strips were scarfed together (320 scarf joints) to make 320 16 foot long strips which were temporarily fastened to the hull.  They were marked and measured, cut and planed, resinstalled and checked (repeat as necessary), and finally permanently bonded to the hull with epoxy and stainless steel narrow crown staples.  Then the seams were sanded smooth.

This is where I was on May 21 working toward the stern.

This is the keel.  I'm preparing to trim the port side at the keel.

My new 36" X 4" long board for fairing the hull.  I built this from the 1/4" hull plywood which is fairly stiff.  I added 24 gage stainless steel to the bottom and wrapped it with 36 grit sandpaper.  Remember all those hand saws I went through when making the notches well that is one of the handles from one cut at a comfortable angle.  The front handle is just some rounded off oak.

Keel all trimmed up and ready for the filler strake.

All the plywood is installed toward the transom.

All the plywood is installed toward the bow.

All the plywood is installed toward the stern.  A bit of trimming and sanding is still needed.

May 30.

Finally, I got a camera with a panoramic setting so I can get the whole boat in one picture.  This is it.  The planking is completely finished with all the sanding trimming and fairing.  Well, I'll probably tweak things while I get the appendage keel stump built.  That is the last thing I'm building before glassing the whole thing.  I am also quite busy at cleaning the shop.  No spare sawdust hanging around during the glassing process.