PARADOX

"What made you want to build a boat?"

How many times have I heard that question! Well, I started sailing about three and a half years ago. The boat I learned to sail on was a 41' Irwin ketch. Nice! About two years ago, I stumbled across a sailboat called a Paradox. This 14' sailboat is what is called a coastal cruiser. Well built, lots of storage for it's size, and can sail in shallow waters. I thought to myself, I WANT ONE! But, I had never built a boat before. In order to learn some building skills, I built an 8' dingy called a PDRacer. During this build, I learned about glues, epoxy, fiberglass, rudders, leeboards and the appropriate uses of different tools. Sailing this little boat is a blast.

The building of my paradox, TARDIS, has been a challenge. When I started, I didn't know the level of difficulty, but was brave enough to try. The only way I have been able to accomplish what I've done so far, is with the moral support from Dale. He believed that I could do it, even when I had doubts.

My neighbors know me as the woman that spends most of her time in the garage. A few have stopped by to see what I'm building. The FedEx man has started stopping to see the progress, he seems to be just as excited about the build as I am. The guys at Dale's work are watching the progress via this blog. There are a lot of people from all over the world that check in to see how the build is going. This has been a big undertaking for me. A little more than I thought it would be. But, it has been good for me. This journey has built within me, confidence and pride.

Back in the early 90's, my biological father, Jim Prather, built a power boat, Princess Dana. I did not get to witness the build, but saw it after it's completion. At his funeral, this was the main topic of his accomplishments. He owned a sheet metal shop, so of course the boat was constructed of metal.

m/v Princess Dana

I like to build things, create useful things. My brother said I got the boat building gene from Jim Prather. I guess maybe I did. When TARDIS is completed, and I know her well, she and I will have many adventures. My first big adventure; the Bahamas. You will all be able to read about my trips. They will be posted here. But first... I have to finish her. So, I better get off this computer and get back to the garage and get to work! Until next time...

ROLLOVER DAY #2

Today was the day! We rolled TARDIS out into the driveway, slipped the frames on either end, strapped them together and rolled her off of her side and upright. Because I only made two corners rounded, the frames had to be taken off, turned around and put back on. Then we rolled her onto her other side. She is now laying on her starboard side so I can work on her port side.

There were many of our neighbors milling around, but none seem to sense the momentous occasion that was taking place. Rollover day is always exciting to me. It marks a milestone in the build. Tomorrow I will start the sanding and fairing of the port side and transom.

That's about all I have to report on this post. Hopefully, the next post will be more exciting and more pictures.

MY FRIEND GLADYS

Gladys and I met back in 1980. I started barber college and she came with my kit of tools. The first haircut I did was on Gladys. She was a good sport about it, and told me, "the only difference between a bad haircut and a good haircut, is about 3 weeks." We have been friends ever since.

In the early '90s, we got into the Halloween spirit. I wanted to make an old-time looking coffin and set it up making our house spooky. Gladys, been the good friend that she is, agreed to lay in the coffin, perfectly still so as to appear dead. The only problem she had, she couldn't keep her eyes closed. That was okay, nobody cared. She sported a red turtle neck sweater, black skirt and black shoes. She played her part well.

A few years later, I planned a road trip from Lubbock, Texas to Memphis, Tennessee. I planned to travel alone, but Gladys voiced her disapproval, and went with me. She rode shot-gun and borrowed one of my caps and a pair of sunglasses. It was summer, but she insisted on wearing long sleeves. It was a quiet trip, she doesn't talk much, but it was nice having someone to listen to my ramblings about nothing.

The last 10 years or so, Gladys has become somewhat of a recluse. Keeping to herself and being so quiet, we forgot that she was here. Yesterday, I was cleaning out my closet and found a tiara that had been packed away and forgotten about. I wore it the rest of the afternoon, just being silly. When Dale asked if I wanted to go dancing, I jumped at the chance to wear the tiara out... and I did. I know that every girl in the place was envious. I felt special! When we returned home, Gladys broke her silence of many years. She asked if she could wear the tiara for awhile. Happy that she had come out of her shell, I gladly fixed her hair and placed the tiara in it's proper place.

Gladys and I have gotten reacquainted and plan many more adventures together. She's my BFF!

JUST KEEP SANDING, SANDING, SANDING...

Sand, fair, sand, fair, sand, fiberglass, epoxy, sand, epoxy, sand... I see a pattern here. The starboard side will get fiberglass tomorrow, but today, I sand. Being of short stature, the mid-section is at an uncomfortable height even standing on my stool. I have to rest my arms often.

The hole through the bottom in the vent trunk is drilled. I was dreading that. Putting a hole in the bottom of a boat, intentionally, just doesn't seem right. But, on a paradox, it makes perfect sense.

I decided to put an extra layer of fiberglass on the leading edge of the rudder. I foresee it getting a lot of wear and thought this would be a good idea.

The bottom gudgeon has been a problem in making. I built a form, filled it with the epoxy and fiberglass, turned my back for a few minutes, turned back around and saw it smoking! Okay, yeah, it got really hot, swelled, warped... it was a mess. I didn't want to waste that much epoxy and fiberglass, so I cut, filed and sanded it back into a shape that was just smaller than the finished size. I pulled it back out and started working on it again today. It should be finished in a few days. I will have pictures of the finished product.

FIBERGLASS

The deck it so shiny now! It has a single layer of 6 oz fiberglass with 3 thin coats of epoxy. It is so pretty! It is ready to rollover and start to fiberglass the sides.

Here she is all tucked back into the garage waiting for the sanding and fiberglass on the starboard side. I will need a ladder to reach the mid-section.

The rudder and rudder stock have a layer of fiberglass and are ready for layer two of epoxy. These are exciting times.

I had a neighbor stop by last evening to look at the boat. He has been watching the progress from afar. I enjoy showing the boat off, and it helps me when I see their excitement. I guess I am a novelty: a woman boat builder. I really don't understand why I'm so unique, anyone can do anything they set their mind to, no matter what the gender. I grew up with a brother and have always been a tomboy. The things the guys did was way more fun than things the girls did. I put my dolls away at an early age, and didn't mind getting dirty. But, I've been told that I clean up nice.

TOERAILS

This morning was filled with epoxy speading! The first coat of epoxy was applied to the underside of the deck and the fillets done.

The toerails are attached, trimmed, sanded, and faired. It's looking really nice.

When I cut the hole next to the mast partner, it came out looking a little more oval than round. I took a piece of PVC and wedged it in the hole and filled in the gaps with thickened epoxy. Plastic wrap was placed around the PVC to keep the epoxy from sticking to it.

Fiberglass is next. I haven't had much experience with fiberglass, nothing this big. I do understand there will be a lot of fairing and sanding. Sanding is not one of my favorite things, but I do want the deck to not be bumpy. So, I will sand.

Until next time, fair winds and calm seas!

THE DECK

It seemed like this day would never come, but it is finally here. All four deck pieces are in place. The last on was nailed on this morning. The forward piece was more difficult, but with the help of Dale and the use of tie-downs, we got it done.

The holes are cut for the mast and vent and after the starboard side piece cures, I will trim the outside edge.

The fiberglass and epoxy has been ordered and should arrive in a couple of days. Until then, I will be sanding to get ready for this next step, fiberglass.

A lot more to do, but the end is in sight.