Pop the hull off! First look.

This weekend was spent attaching the splashboards and laying the glass on the outside of the hull. Today I could pop her off the form. What a thrill! I need a scale, but I reckon the hull is between 6 and 8lbs, so with the 2 decks, the boat is currently still under 10lbs.




First look at how she'll shape up.

I'm happy.

Hull strips finished and sealed

This weekend I only had one day, but it was a nice one! Finished the hull strips, sanded, and applied one coat of epoxy sealer. I also assembled the splashboards, but have delayed attaching them until I see how the color of the hull turns out. The blond wood on the hull is very blond red cedar. Although it looks a lot like yellow cedar, it is lighter weight.

Wake up call

The strangest thing happened while I was working on my boat yesterday. It was a long weekend laying strip after strip after strip on the hull. As soon as I finished placing a strip at one end of the boat, I'd move to the other end and lay another strip somewhere else. By the time I'd attacked all the areas where I could work, the glue would have dried in the starting spot, and I'd start the whole circuit again. Row by row the strips were creeping up the forms.

About half-way through the third day I happened to glance down the length of the strong back and was suddenly shocked! There was a BOAT! It wasn't just a form with some strips on it! It wasn't the potential for a boat. It WAS a boat! Suddenly she yelled out to me, "I'm here! Get me off this thing and take me to the water!!"

Now that she's come to life she is pushing me toward completion. Ahhh.... this is going to be a wonderful friendship.

Progress on the Hull

Finally getting some strips laid on the hull. Photos for now.... more later.