We've made a bit of progress in this month already. The forward deckhouse framing is nearing completion. I've got to get some of the decking on the roof down in order to start framing the aft end of the deck house which steps up about a foot (30 cm). The forward corner posts (on the higher part of the deck house) sit on the roof of the lower deckhouse. Hopefully this will all be clear in the next few weeks.
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| The forward deckhouse framing is getting close to completion. The wide space between laminated athwart beams is where the forward hatch will go so I still need to frame the hatch sides. I also will notch in deadwood lengthwise for where the plywood butts. This deadwood actually will ensure that the roof beams make a smooth transition forward to rear since there is curvature along the length of the deckhouse roof. Everything you see, with the exception of the front of the deckhouse, is permanently glued and fastened. The deck clamps holding up the laminated beams still need another lamination. You can see the long second layer of clamps lying to the left and right of the deckhouse waiting installation. |
March 7,
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| Deck clamps doubled up and 1"x2" 'deadwood' laid into notches to support where the plywood for the top will break. |
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Deckhouse roof plywood temporarily clamped in place. There will be a ceiling and a 1" (2.5 cm) gap between the plywood and the ceiling. Which is kind of a shame because this looks pretty good. But I'll need the space for backing hardware and I think the air gap will benefit heat mitigation.
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March 14,
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| Starboard side mid deckhouse post ready to have bolt holes drilled. I've since made the port side and drilled and bolted with temporary zinc bolts. I had to order some 4.5" stainless bolts for these since I did not have the right size in my inventory. This is the transition between the higher mid deckhouse roof and the lower forward deckhouse roof. |
This weekend was a slow boat building weekend. Laura and I spent some quality time enjoying the wonderful spring weather and I worked on her 1971 Fiat spider that I promised to have running this weekend. Well, the front end needs major adjustment (after a major rebuild) and there was a small break fluid leak. I fixed the leak and rough adjusted the front end so that the car was drivable. I'll need to bleed all four break lines and have the front end professionally aligned but we did take it for a short drive. I did manage to spend a few hours on Saturday and Sunday working on the boat. I got both mid deckhouse posts roughed in and laminated more deckhouse roof beams. I'm getting about one made every two days. I keep running out of clamps. I buy more and I seem to run out even quicker. Who knows. I think the more you have, the more you need.
March 21,
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Maybe I can put a charm on this saw and get it to cut the wood on its own. This is one layer of the deckhouse roof clamp where it half laps into the deckhouse post.
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| These are temporary supports to ensure that the first layer of deckhouse clamp maintains shape and is symmetrical with the other side. Once all the laminated beams are in place, these supports will no longer be needed. |
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| The deckhouse is high enough to provide unencumbered head room but low enough for the pilot to see over the top. You can see the pilot seat in the rear. The pilot will sit on the deck with feet into the cockpit. |
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| The first laminated beam over the galley set into place. That board with the notch in it acts like an adjustable shelf for the beam. I use a wedge to raise and lower the beam until it fits perfectly. |
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| A close up of those temporary plywood braces holding the deckhouse clamp in place. Notice the spacer between the plywood and clamp. The clamp is two laminations and I've just got the inner lamination in place so I need that spacer to make the difference. |
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Well, that didn't quite go as planned. I had originally placed the clamp (top 1x4) at the correct height on the corner post. At some point I decided it was wrong ( I measured the wrong spot ) and cut the notch lower and glued and fastened it all together. The next day, upon careful measurement, I realized that I placed it an inch (2.5 cm) too low. I had to drill out the stainless steel screws and cut epoxy out and pry it off to raise it the inch where it needed to be. Now I'll have to fill that little notch below the clamp. Luckily I have just the piece of wood to fill the void. Just about anything can be fixed. Don't panic.
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March 24,
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From the pilots seat. A nice clear view forward. I've installed three of the laminated beams above the main salon.
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