Head

It has been one of those periods where time seems to slow down, with seemingly little progress. We have finally finished the glassing of the hull, after waiting for unseasonal weather to move on. As we have decided to build a new rudder, I realised that I needed to buy the new propeller, so we can design the rudder around it. After getting recommendations from most of the leading manufacturers, the consensus was a 20 x 15" 3 bladed feathering prop. With the requirement for 20% of diameter as tip clearance, I needed to grind more of the aperture out to give 24", or 12" on each side of the stern tube. It was a surprisingly easy job and gave us another opportunity to admire the craftsmanship of the original builders (not!).

Inside the boat the head has been progressing well. This shot shows the painted area prior to final fitting of the front panel.

Then the vanity unit was attached and the inboard bulkhead was glued in place. I have been painting after work and in the weekends to try and keep ahead of Bill. The paint (InterProtect) is pretty smelly so we try not to work around it as it dries.

We have worked out the dimensions and position for the chart table, and Bill has fitted the first part - the top. We should be able to use full-sized charts, folded, which is ideal I think. The boat is beginning to lose that "large" feel!

The aft cabin is ready for grinding, which I will do when Bill has a couple of weeks on another job soon. Then one last bulkhead out and there will be no old boat left! Can't wait.

A little purchase last weekend, a rowing/sailing dinghy. Haven't had a chance to float it myself yet, maybe tomorrow. We will probably work out a system to attach a 2hp as well. I also need to get it up onto the boat somehow to ensure it fits on deck!

Glassing the hull

We have had 3 sessions now, adding 2 layers of chopped strand mat and 1 intermediate layer of cloth. We had a couple of extra helpers for the first session - thanks Callum and Mal! That got the back half of the boat done, the following 2 sessions with just Bill and myself have completed the front half. Just the keel and the skeg left, sounds easy!

Bill made paper patterns for some areas, where there was quite a lot of shape. The midship areas were simply measured and the cloth left square.

The view from where I sit to write this has changed, it looks slightly more finished.

The - almost - finished hull. Next we get to the hard part, longboarding! As if the glassing wasn't a workout...

Where did the month go?

I don't see much of a result for all my work lately, I have been mucking around under the boat, filling and sanding in preparation for putting some fiberglass back on. We have removed the aft cradle props in readiness and should be able to glass up to the forward props. We are aiming to do this tomorrow and I have a couple of mates coming around to help out, we have had a lot of rain recently so we will have one eye on the humidity.

We have cut up all the glass we need, Bill sorted this so things should run nice and smooth. I have 60 litres of vinyl ester ready, gloves, masks, suits etc etc. It is quite a production!

Work inside the boat has been focused on the head compartment. Bill and I have worked out the final layout and Bill has created the plinth for the head, the vanity carcass and the rear bulkhead.

Yesterday I worked out the layout for the pump and plumbing system, I am reasonably happy with it and fingers crossed it will prove practical. One issue is the height of the anti-siphon loops as the deck in this area is quite low. I am trying to keep the loops as far inboard as possible, hopefully we won't sink on port tack!

In another one of my many jobs in progress, I am excavating the last hold-out of nasty rotten wood smells, the aft cabin. Most of this is now sitting on the trailer waiting for its last voyage - to the tip. It is good to see this disappear, it is the last cabin to construct, paint, wire, etc etc etc - maybe I shouldn't start cooling the bubbly for the launching party just yet!

Back in business

After an excellent week away after Christmas, it was back to boat-rebuilding reality. We have had nearly 2 weeks of work and the galley/head floor is glued down, following many discussions with Bill and I regarding placement or pumps, wiring and plumbing conduits etc etc etc. I sealed the kauri steps and they are now assembled and are clamped in place. They still need to be electropolished and varnished, but we need them as we are getting close to ripping out the remaining "old" boat, in the aft cabin.

Bill has fitted the remaining chainplates, which like the others, are glassed right down to the floor and connect through to the sub-floor web. The boat should be a lot stiffer than before! He has strated to fit the next partial bulkhead, which ties down to the front of the holding tank, forming the aft side of the toilet compartment.

We have also cut out the double ports in the aft end of the coachroof, ready for some toughened glass. There was a lot of rot around the edges so we have been forced to build up the inside edge with some double bias cloth, to provide something to stick to.

My last couple of days have been spent drilling holes in the keel and pouring thinned epoxy into the gap between the glass and the concrete filler. This has been draining for the last 6 months or so and is a lot drier, so we are hoping the epoxy will cure and hold everything together. I wasn't going to bother with this but Bill convinced me, it certainly removes the hollowness from large portions of the keel. I set up this little rig and screw a brass nipple straight into the glass, works a treat!

Heres another shot of the main companionway steps, it is a departure from the usual Peterson steps! They will look good when they are all shiny.