Sliding Hatch - Part 2

Today I cut out the ply and glued the fore and aft beam to the hatch. Tomorrow, after it cures, I will glue on the sides and the mid-beam.

Sliding Hatch

The jig for making the sliding hatch is made. All the beams are made. The sides for the hatch are glued up and curing tonight.

I'm using the poor man's clamp for the sides to the hatch. These are 4 inch PVC pipe cut into 1 1/2 inch lengths, and then cut one side for an opening. These are very good for some applications. I also have made clamps out of 2 inch PVC.

Progress has been slow the last couple of weeks. Other things have needed my attention. But, like the turtle ... slow and steady wins the race.

RAILS

The top is fiberglassed. The outside rails are cut. I decided to make the sliding hatch before I glue and bolt the outside rails in place.

I was dreading having to buy lumber to build a form for the construction of the hatch. A few days ago, as I carried the trash to the curb, I noticed a pile of scrap lumber down the street. Well, I immediately went down to find anything I could use for a form. I ended up dragging four boards home that I can use. Why buy when you can find stuff for free! I'm thrifty that way!

NOT TOPLESS ANYMORE!

I was so excited when I got the top glued on. I climbed inside and sat down, looked around, and was a little amazed that I built this. I have tried to concentrate on the "pieces" and not the project as a whole, because when I do that I get overwhelmed. So, I have always taken it one step at a time. Baby steps.

The fiberglass goes on next before the other part of the railing for the sliding hatch.

Okay, enough patting myself on the back, and get out there and fiberglass that top I'm so proud of.

LAST OF THE CABIN TOP FRAMING

Tonight was an exciting time. I got the last of the framing for the cabin top glued in place.

At the beginning of this build, I was using System Three epoxy. Now, I am using West System, mainly because I can get it locally, and at a discount. Discounts are always good! I have found that I don't have as long before the West System starts to set up, even using the slow hardener. In a way, this is a good thing, but sometimes I am working slow and have mixed up too much. But, all in all, I like the West System Epoxy.

Tonight, I turned around and this little dog was standing there staring at me. She lives across the street, and rules the neighborhood. She has been coming over to visit me more and more, and now feels comfortable enough that she curled up on a dirty rag and took a nap while I worked. I don't know her name... I call her "Mamma" because she had a couple of puppies not long ago. We are becoming good friends. Maybe I'll take her sailing one day.

HANDRAILS

I have the aft cabin top pieces cut, sanded and ready to glue. Actually, all of the framing is cut, but not all perfectly shaped and sanded. I ran across this article on how to make handrails in the June 2011 issue of WoodenBoat magazine.

I want a small handrail on either side of the opening at the aft cabin top. My first attempt at drilling the 1 1/4 inch holes, splintered the wood real bad. And my jigsaw is on it's last leg, so I will take these to my work and use our nice DeWalt jigsaw.

I will also put handrails on either side of the cabin top. As clumsy as I am, I need something to hang on to while getting to the bow. And you can never have too many places to tie stuff to.

Okay, this is what happens when you don't go back and check to see if the pieces you are gluing have slipped out of place. See the line, the brace is suppose to be even with that line. It is glued really good, and I'm not going to ruin both pieces trying to rip it off. SO, I will get creative in order to make it right.

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now. For a while, I was bogged down and just couldn't get motivated to work in the garage. We've had some warm days, and I've been dreaming of sun, wind, sand and sailing! I want to be ready!

LIFE RING

My brother, Kelly, is almost as excited about my boat as I am. When finished, we are going to take her on a 3 day weekend cruise, beach her and camp out two nights. Kelly helped me move recently, and I promised him a trip for his help.

I just had a birthday, and Kelly got this personalized life ring for me. I love it. And what TARDIS would be complete without a Sonic Screwdriver? I got that for Christmas... from my brother! He is so cool!

For those of you who are not Doctor Who fans, why aren't you? It's just about the coolest TV show there is. Google "Doctor Who" and be enlightened! It's a wonderful new world!