Cabin Floor and Gunwale Moldings

Cutting the Cabin Floor:

I used the last piece of plywood today to make the forward sections of the cabin floor. 

Making cardboard templates saves plywood

 Floor panels dry-fitted

Second layer of white oak gunwale moldings attached

Next Steps:

Install the mast step, cabin top and floor. 

Nearing the End

Cockpit painted; framing for cabin floor almost complete. Cabin roof panels cut and dry fitted. 

Next Steps

Complete framing and cutting out cabin floor, secure the cabin roof, work on the mast step.

Interior Framing Continues

Framing Continues:

I have completed the framing in the cockpit and the motor well, and I have moved on to the cabin floor framing. Rather than water ballast I elected to go with Wake Ballast steel shot bags, so the ballast compartments will receive additional reinforcement. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it's a beautiful sight.

Next Steps: Complete flooring in cabin

Interior Framing

Interior Framing and Decking

I have completed most of the fiberglass taping of the interior joints. I am now doing the framing and decking of the interior. I'm working on the cockpit today. The framing for the cockpit seats is completed, and the panels for the sides of the footwell have been dry-fitted in place.

Cockpit

Taping in cabin

Bow deck dry-fitted

Next steps: 

Measure and cut cockpit seats. Epoxy glue the panels in place.

Taping Inside Joints

 Taping Inside the Hull

Now that the hull has been turned over I have been filling and taping the interior surfaces of the plywood joints with two layers of fiberglass tape. It's not a fun job but a very important one. I'll be glad to get started on the interior carpentry.

Next steps:

Apply coats of epoxy to interior surfaces, prime interior surfaces, finish sanding, priming, and painting exterior topsides.

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.