Turning the Hull

 Turning the Hull Over

Using a system of pulleys I rigged in the shed I was able to turn the hull over without help. It's nice to see the inside of the boat in the upright position.

Next Steps:

Tape and epoxy joints on the inside of the hull

Gunwale Moldings

 Applying the gunwale moldings

The moldings have been in the shop supported on each end and weighted in the center so they would gradually bend and achieve a curved shape needed to apply them. Of course this is just the first layer and another strip will be applied over it to make it 1 1/2 inches square. It's white oak, so it's quite difficult to bend, but the first effort looks pretty good. 

Molding in shop with weight

Next Step: 

A little more sanding on the bottom and sides. Then prime and paint bottom before turning it over.

Nearing the Turn

Epoxy, Epoxy, Epoxy

Have spent the past few weeks taping, filling, and fiberglassing the bottom and up the sides to the gunwale. I probably need to do some more filling before I prime it so I won't have to use the excuse, "I like the work boat look."

 Next Step:

More sanding and filling. Then prime and paint the bottom before turning the hull over.

Bottom tapered

Bottom panel

Panel has been planed, tapering the edges smooth. I have applied  a layer of 3" tape covered by a layer of 4" tape over all the bottom joints.  

Next Step:

Sand smooth and apply 10 oz fiberglass cloth over the entire bottom and bilge panels.

All Hull Panels Installed

Outer Bottom Panel Installed

With the installation of the outer bottom panel, the hull is complete. Of course there is much sanding, filling, and painting to be done before the hull is turned over. Of the 17 sheets of plywood only one 1/4 inch sheet remains for the cabin top. 

 Next Steps

Taper the edge of the bottom panel, tape and fill with epoxy. Then fiberglass the bottom.

Installing the bottom and bilge panels

Starting to Look Like a Blobster

I crawled beneath the boat, drilled holes, and wired the bottom panel and bilge panels to the bulkheads. Hard work for an old dude like me. I found muscles I had forgotten existed. The posts of all the builders on the Michalak Blobster Sailboat facebook site have been very helpful. I've borrowed ideas from all of them, but I am in awe of their skills. Jim Michalak's plans for the Blobster are really well done, and all the measurements are spot on.

 

Next Steps:

I will apply thickened epoxy to the joints on the bottom and bilge panels. That will prepare the joints to receive fiberglass tape. 

Dry Fitting the Hull

 Putting It All Together

With the long awaited arrival of Spring and warmer weather, I have moved the build out of the shop and begun the assembly of the hull components. Today I just clamped some of the major parts together to make sure the fit is ok. Rain is predicted for tomorrow,  but soon I will begin gluing the assembly together. It's exciting to see it actually looking like a boat, and a Blobster at that. 

Next Steps:

Disassemble and begin gluing and screwing it back together beginning with attaching the side panels to bulkhead #9.