Paul356

Hi, men. Progress goes in spurts. I had thought I was going to get the keel on and bottom painted at the end of May. I taped the chines and bottom vee with 10 oz tape and epoxy, sanded smooth and recoated a few times. Then a) some life events interfered with that week off and I decided to go ahead and put a layer of glass cloth on the bottom after all. I used 4 oz. cloth. I'm glad I glassed it, because the bottom feels much stronger and "tough" and there's no flex at all any more in the 1/4" ply at the bow. But it also meant a lot of extra coats of epoxy both before and after putting on the cloth and, at least the way it worked out for me, several trips over the topsides and bottom sanding, somem light, some aggressive. I have perfected my epoxy-layering technique, however, now that I am almost done (roll on a light coat on a warm day, tip it with a foam brush.) I'm close again to being ready for the keel and paint, but not quite there, and now it's the end of July. More life events, some sailing on Lake Michigan, some extra work commitments, etc. So, no real complaints. Pictures show laying out the glass (not much to show, really) and then the hull after one of the later coats of epoxy over the glass (plus starting a bit of the next round of sanding). It looks great from 8 feet away, but lots of imperfections that needed to be sanded out at some point, so that's what I'm doing now. I doubt I'll be done by fall. I keep telling myself it's a journey, not a race. I threw in a couple of pix of the hull before turning it over, as well. They ended up out of order in the middle. I had no good reason to turn it over and work on the bottom at this point except I had the opportunity and I wanted to cut and finish the centerboard slot before it got too late, just to make sure the board would fit in the slot and housing. What's the progress on your boat? As always, let me know if you're in the area. It would be great to see you and compare notes. --p

Cngratulations. She's a beauty.

Here are a couple of pictures of the transition. It's just a fillet of thickened epoxy sanded smooth from the 3/8 sheet to the 1/4. I made one of these when I put the panels together and, for some reason, didn't get the other made until after the hull was pulled together.

The stepdown goes inside. I smoothed it out with thickened epox and sanded it smooth. My hull is upside down right now, but maybe I can crawl under and take a photo. It was not an issue, took care of itself.

beautiful

You'll be sailing soon.

Amazing progress. I guess that's the difference between working more or less every day vs working more or less every weekend. I still have hopes for this summer. Next week on vacation. If I make some progress, I'll send along some pix.

Hey, Lennie, Peggy-O is a beautiful boat and someone will be lucky to get her. What a surprise to read of your decision. I've enjoyed following your progress. Even these last couple of pictures gave me some nice ideas. Best of luck.

Many shavings later, one oar pretty much finished until epoxy time. The next one has gone much faster.

But I had some fun this winter, too. I wanted a pair of 10.5-foot oars, so I made blanks out of three lifts each of some really nice straight-grain Douglas fir one of the lumberyards has here in long lengths. The fun part has been planing and shaping away everything that doesn't look like a Culler oar. That big joiner plane is really neat. I got it on eBay for $50. The seller said he figured I was buying it to put on a shelf as an ornament and was tickled to learn I was using it. I spent 45 min dressing the blade and it slices as fine as you could hope for. The model dates from 1876, a "liberty."

The romance of boatbuilding returns. Well, sort of. I donned respirator, face plate, coveralls, gloves, hat and spent 10 hours or so over the last three Saturdays deep in the bowels of a boat shed downtown. Sanding. Sanding. And sanding some more. I was smoothing blobs and blebs and tape joints from the initial round of epoxy work on the CS 17 last fall. But at least now it's ready to come back to the garage for further construction once the weather warms. I can see the progress, but I doubt anyone else could.

Good progress, you two!

Prayers and thoughts for you both.

Even the anarchists at Sailing Anarchy suggested a permit would have been a smart idea.

Based on what's been posted on the Watertribe sites, I expect there will be changes next year. Watertribe's philosophy is to provide a starting line, a finish, the checkpoints and you're on your own, which we as independent sailor types can understand. CG's philosphy is that if someone is going to wave a green flag at 80 or so boats and kayaks regardless of the weather, then the someone ought to be taking responsibility if half a dozen or a dozen of them can't handle the weather they set off in. CG made the comment that they did not have a manifest of participants or any safety coordination from sponsors. So, two reasonable philosphies, but they conflict, and reading between the lines in the CG announcement yesterday, they were pretty tired and disgusted by being called upon in these circumstances. Also, and admittedly from a vantage point 1,000 miles away, it appeared the weather cleared or settled noticeably by around noon. If that was indeed the case, an easy question for CG would be to ask why the start wasn't simply delayed 5 hours. While the Watertribe philosophy is we go regardless. Again, we understand both, but it was the CG that was out there picking up boats and people and (probably) wondering whether it couldn't have all been easily avoided with a few minor modifications. That makes for angry CG's, and they end up with the rules on their side, and I assume they kind of felt they'd done enough for one day. At a minimum, I would expect the 'tribe to be posting safety boats across Tampa Bay next year. At worst, some of the 'tribe organizers could be facing fines or other sanctions this year for organizing a mass activity that (at least in CG view) violated CG safety rules. I doubt we've heard the end of it.

Wow, Lennie, that looks terrific!

Here's a post on the Wooden Boat forum, from Doug Cameron. Pretty darn good boats, eh? Doing final touches on the Core Sound 20 Mark III before the WaterTribe Everglades Challenge. With registration closing in a couple of days, it looks like 4 boats of the Core Sound family entered: mine, an and Paul Stewart in a CS 20 MK I, Gary Blankenship and John Bell in John's 17, and Scott Rice and Ned Goss in Graham's first EC 22, Southern Skimmer. You can follow the race (we all carry SPOTs), beginning March 7, at watertribe.org. http://capt-doug.blogspot.com

Sorry, I didn't do the quote thing right. Here's the text to which I refer. "When I started this project I figured it would be two years to complete. Now, I'm thinking I'll be boating by spring or early summer! Less than a year."

This is an absolute first in boat blogdom: A builder who not only says but proves that his project take less time than expected. And what a project. We've all been impressed by the skill, style and speed that have marked the construction of this craft. Can't wait to see the launch.

I thought about tracking hours. I decided not to. Do I log hours spent on the beach or swimming in the surf? On the back porch reading a book? On the sofa snoozing? Building is (usually) its own reward. It takes the tension out of my shoulders and the madhouse out of my mind. Why would I begrudge myself those hours, or worry if I spent too many of them.

As someone who was privileged to take a peek 18 months ago, congratulations. Terrific to see this sleek ply-and-poxy craft afloat.

You're moving fast.

Terrific. Congratulations.

Here's a photo of my transom. It's just epoxy, no stain, like Graham said; spar varnish will follow, and that can affect the color. It's the ply from the kit. The color is more even, not splotchy. I guess that's due to the flash.

Jim, a terrific testimony, and there is something in your story for every one of us. Who on this blog hasn't felt some bit of escape or therapy or comfort or help from some other place in times of need in working on a boat or dreaming about what that boat can be. Especially with family close at hand. Best thoughts to you for a speedy recovery, and may your many blessings abound. Your optimism and faith in times of trouble are inspiring. We all wish you speedy recovery, and we all see you sailing on smooth waters with a fair breeze in that oft-caressed hull of yours. Godspeed.