Progress report
The boat has received a saturation coat of epoxy and is just about ready for fibreglassing. It really is a wonderful moment when you can see just what it is going to turn out like.
Using this thin ply has caused quite a lot of work. It seemed to take eons lining up all the edges of the panels only to have the occassional one slip out of place. I ended up by aligning everything as best I could and then tacking the centre three seams. This held all in place while I realined the other seams and continued to tack weld the rest of the hull.
The other problem I had was glueing the bow and stem together with the jigs in place. I had no end of trouble getting the thickened epoxy up in there. In retrospect I think I should have left the jigs 4 or 5mm proud of the bow/stem and forced the epoxy mix from the outside.
I just love the look of the lines of this boat. Its incredible to think that you can take a few flat sheets of ply and turn them into something as well rounded as this.
The hull has been glassed inside and out and now is just about ready for the deck
I purchased some rudder mounts from Duckworks and mounted them to the not so pointy end. The neatest way I could think of doing it, was by cutting a slot in the hull and inserting the upper mount through the slot onto a triangular gusset glassed level with the bottom of the tumblehome panel.
Can hardly wait to start paddling but my other half has some chores lined up which will tend slow the build a bit.
After a brief hiatus it's back to the Northwind build. I have taken the good advice of others and fitted some bulkheads. At the stern I have fitted a bulkhead against the deck support at no 4 frame and at the front I have made up a bulkhead and fitted it about 500 mm in front of no 2 frame. This should allow a bit of leg room should I take the occassional passenger. I fitted an inspection port to the front bulkhead. I know it will be a bit difficult to access, but at least it's there if needed and it does give me some peace of mind knowing that I can check the cavity if required. I'm not sure yet if I will bother fitting a front hatch. I cant see me needing it
Today I glued the outer coaming panels to the inner.
This is like my old army days. Hurry up and wait. You do a little bit and then have to sit on yer bum untill you're able to start the next job. It must be great to have patience.
Next I will have to fair in the join between the coaming and deck and then run some fibreglass tape around the seam prior to inverting the deck and fibreglassing the under side. I hope the seams all hold together while I turn the deck over.