May 2022

 May 12,

Back from a little sailing in the Bahamas on the Liberty Clipper.  Mostly recovered from shoulder surgery.  It's time to get back to building that dream

While really thinking over how the plumbing will run and tank set up, I've decided that the chain locker needs to be built.  I need a tough water proof chamber above the waterline in the bow.  

The chain locker is going in the bow in this section.  I will need to install floors over the longitudinal and glass all of it in with an above the waterline drain.  

That forward section is where the chain locker  will be located.  Fortunately, it is all above the waterline.

So, I will need to line the framing in that bow section with plywood and make a suitable floor for the chain locker. I also have to build in two bollards that bolt to the keel and go up through the decking to bolt to the bowsprit.  I'll have to block those in and create the locker around them.  It's an awkward space to work but I think I have a good plan.

I've laminate white oak for the bollards or vertical posts.  This is a rough-out one for the starboard side.

I only used clamp and epoxy to laminate the bollards.  I did not what any fasteners exposed.  The bollard will be bolted to the keel and the bowsprit with 3/4" stainless bolts.

Roughed to size and ready for shaping. There will be a narrowed section or waste above the deck to receive lines for towing, mooring and docking or whatever.

 There is no room at the stem to drill the 3/4" holes for the threaded rod that secures both bollards in place.  I'm going to have to drill right through the hull on one side and then patch that hole.  No way around it.

May 22.

Just checking the fitting of the bollards. I'll need to make a spacer at the bottom since the stem is 3 inches wide and the strong back at the bow is 6 inches wide. I also need to cut them to size and start shaping them.

You can see the spacers at the far end.  Since this area will eventually become the chain locker, I'll need to box in between the bollards.  I have also cut the bollards to equal length and rounded the ends and the inner corner that will eventually be glassed for the chain locker. 

The boxing cut out and placed for fit. You can see the outside edges have been rounded.

Shaped and ready for fitting. 

Looks like they fit pretty well.  The boxing in from is a little tight and I will do the final fitting when the bollards are bolted in and tightened.  I have also made and installed the back wall of the chain locker as you can see in this photo.  

I need to finish putting dead wood in where the plywood floors of the chain locker will attach.