FIBERGLASS

If one layer is good, then two is better! I put down two layers of 18 oz woven roving on the bottom.

The stiffener is made from two scarfed 1x4s. 

The chine logs and hull sides have one layer of 6 oz glass. I now have the stiffener glued down, but didn't get a picture of it. Use your imagination until the next post. :-)

One more layer of epoxy, and her bottom will be ready for paint. Can't wait to turn her over. But, it will take more guys to turn her upright, than it did to get her upside down. That fiberglass and epoxy is not light.

I did mention that I wanted a figurehead, and the popular vote was for a naked lady. Today, I was thumbing through a catalog at work. At first, I thought I could make one of these work... but then I looked at the price. Holy Crap! Over $100, I'm doubtful that any of these will make it as my figurehead. We'll see if a naked lady makes it on the bow.

Here is a mermaid, that's one option.

A dragon came in second place in the figurehead survey.

Or, how about this guy...

Or maybe a stoic face....I've been called that!

Enough of all this, I'm going to go have a nice steak dinner with my boyfriend. He's a CPA, tax season is over, and I want to celebrate! I hate tax season, for many reasons, but the first on my list is that I don't get to see Chuck much because he's always working!!! 

Next week, we are taking a vacation! And we both need it!

BOTTOM IS ON!

The plans call for an exterior chine log. They are on and everything has been faired. The bottom goes on in two sections, with a butt plate holding them together. Done! It went on very easy, I didn't need help.

The bottom is 1/2 inch plywood. I want this boat to last and to be durable. So, I am putting two layers of glass on the bottom. Paradox called for three layers, but I think two will be fine for this boat. The plans also call for a stiffener to be fastened to the bottom. I will attach that over the glass.

It is almost April, which means the "snowbirds" start to head back home. They usually show up in November and December, and stay until April. Nearly everyone I have met at the Sailing Club, is a snowbird. I was told the place is like a ghost town in the summer.

BULKHEADS and SIDES

I know I have been slow to post, it just hasn't seemed like there is anything to talk about. I was slowed down this week by nose bleeds. Went to the ENT doctor. He could not see where my nose was bleeding, and could not see any reason it was bleeding. I guess I'm a fast healer... but it had been 4 days since my last nose bleed. Maybe I'm over it now.

The bulkheads have been framed and two coats of epoxy on one side. The sides are cut out, marked for bulkhead and seat placement. I'm coating with epoxy while they are flat, much easier, no runs.

I have already started thinking about the paint job. For some reason, I am adamant about having a yellow poly sail. I had one on my Duck, and I really want one for this boat too. When you look out on the water and see sails gliding by, they start to all look the same. One is not much different from the next, thus not immediately identifiable. I want my boat to stand out, and not look like every other boat. When you see mine, you will know in an instant who she belongs to. For instance, most will recognize this, and many others, because of their paint design or colors, not the make of the boat. We all know GIR!

photo by Chuck Lienweber

photo by Stan Roberts

I'm looking at paint samples, and leaning toward a burnt orange for the hull, white for the cockpit, with a yellow sail. What do you think? 

SLOW GOING

Progress is slow. There is only about 1 1/2 hours of daylight after I get off work, and at least 15 minutes of that is getting my tools out of my vehicle and cleaning up after I’m done. It was suggested that a light could be rigged for me to work later. Everyone at the Sailing Club is very accommodating. It’s beginning to feel like home.

The bulkheads and sides are cut out. The framing lumber has been purchased and ready to rip.

These little clamps are nice for the price. I now have 20, and plus the few big ones I have, I think I'm fixed for clamps. You can never have too many.

MY LITTLE CORNER

Key West Community Sailing Center has been kind enough to let me build my boat at their place. I need a covered area to work in, the framework is already in place. I purchased two tarps and sewed them together to make it big enough to cover the whole frame.

I don't leave my tools there, I keep them in my vehicle. I needed a good way to carry them back and forth from the vehicle, so I bought a Stanley rolling box. It has worked out very well.

The leeboard, rudder & rudder stock have been cut out. They are ready to epoxy together. I am using West System for this build. Mainly because I get a discount at work, and that's what we carry.

The bulkheads will be started tomorrow. The build should pick up speed now that I have a covered area. I will push to get this done as quickly as possible. Stay tuned.