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.