Rounding the Mast

Rounding the Mast

I fabricated a marking tool to mark guidelines on the square mast. Then the electric hand plane was used to remove unwanted material. It is a great tool and worth the investment, especially if you are as lazy as I am. 

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5/16" holes prove to be to large for pencils, so I used 1/4" holes and twisted the pencils through forcefully. I just used threaded bolts on the outside, and kept my thumbs on top of them as I was marking.

Then the electric plane was used to change 4 sides into 8, then 8 into 16.

I then sanded by turning a sanding belt inside out and using my own power to sand. It worked very well.

Next Step

Do some final filling and sanding on the mast. Then apply spar varnish.
 

Building the Mast

Assembling the Mast 

The mast was built by gluing up 2X4 lumber trimmed to 3" square with thickened epoxy and scarfing to make the 18' length required. The top 10 ft were tapered to 2" at the top by using an electric hand plane.

Gluing up the mast

Tapering the mast

Next step

Use the electric hand plane to round the mast

Bottom Panels

 Cutting the Bottom Panels

The bottom panels were cut out of 3/8" plywood stacked so both panels could be cut simultaneously. That will make the bottom 3/4" thick. 

Next Steps:

That completes the hull panels and the bulkheads. I have to wait for warmer weather in the Spring to assemble the hull. In the meantime I can build the mast, rudder, and bilge board. I have used all the 3/8" plywood - a total of 11 sheets, and 4 of the 1/4" sheets. All that is remaining is a sheet of 1/2" and a sheet of 1/4". 

Bilge Panels

Cutting the Bilge Panels

After cutting out the bilge panels the only part of the hull remaining to be cut out is the bottom which consists of two layers of 3/8 inch plywood.

 Bilge Panels

Bulkheads and panels stored in limited space available awaiting assembly.

Next Step:

Apply epoxy to the bilge panels. Then mark and cut out the bottom panels.

Side Panels

 Side Panels Cut

The sides of Blobster were cut out this morning. They required four sheets of 1/4 inch plywood. The remaining sheet will be used for the cabin top when I reach that point. I have yet to cut the bilge panels and bottom panel. That will complete all of the component parts of the hull. The new heater I installed keeps it toasty warm in the shop, so I can cut all the parts and apply a coat of epoxy to them during the Winter months, but I can't assemble the hull in the shop. There is no door large enough to get it out of the shop. That would be quite embarrassing. Assembly will start when warm weather arrives, and it will be done in a shed adjacent to the shop.

Next Step:

Apply epoxy to the panels. But first eat Turkey, dressing and all the fixings. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Drawing the Lines

 Side Panels

I completed drawing out the lines for Blobster's side panels. Its exciting to see the shape of the boat and it's full length. It's difficult to see in the photos, but I attempted to show the lines.

Side Panel Lines

I installed this little heater in my shop. It is more than adequate to keep the workspace warm this winter.

Next Step:

Join two more 1/4 inch plywood panels. I will place them beneath the ones that are already marked and cut out both side panels at once.

Beginning the Side Panels

 Joining the Plywood

Each side panel requires two sheets of plywood joined together end to end. That was all that was needed to build my first boat (Water Rat). Blobster requires 17 sheets of plywood.

Joining the panels

The bulkheads have all been finished. Storing is always a problem in a small shop.

Next Step:

Lay out the lines for cutting the side panels.

Bulkheads

 Building the Bulkheads

All bulkheads have been cut out, and framing has been installed on them.

Bulkhead #9; This is the widest part of the Blobster at 72 inches.

Bow transom

Bulkhead #2

Emma inspects the work

Next step

Apply a coat of epoxy on all bulkheads.

Building the Blobster

I have been contemplating building a sailboat for years. After perusing many designs and plans I have decided on a design by Jim Michalak called the Blobster. It is a 15 1/2 foot design with a shallow draft, ideal for exploring shallow waters. The design is ideal for sailing right up to the beach, and it has a walk-through cabin with an opening in the bow making it easy to exit the boat onto the shore. It is rigged with a very practical 139 square foot lug sail. I've been studying the plans for a few weeks, and finally decided to take the plunge, so I ordered the okoume plywood required to build it. I made the first cuts today, measuring and cutting out the largest bulkhead.