rexaco

By better I assume you mean more comfortable for like conditions. No doubt the Edmund Fitzgerald was comfortable until it wasn't. I'm not trying to talk you out of your dreams. But you mentioned trailering and singlehanding and the larger boat with stepped masts and standing rigging isn't as conducive to that. Also, according to your own timetable, you are already behind schedule and you know the bigger boat is going to take more time to build. Then we have to add the honeydew projects into the mix. I am going to build a new house for my wife concurrent with building the PS26. Right now I am about halfway along with the new carport and shed where the boat will be built. And I don't know about you, but I'm not getting any younger. I can only pray to still be sailing at 80.

If you're talking about Ted Brewer's Mystic Sharpie, then as a boat builder you know that the 32 footer is nearly twice the boat (weight, material, labor, cost, etc.) compared to the Princess 26, not to mention standing rigging. There is also the shallow rudder issue that may not be best suited for the roller coaster waves on Lake Michigan.

Howard, I share your sentiments about life. After completing a roof and slab for a work space late last year, I walked away from it and moved, too. Fortunately, my arrangement for the softwood delivery fell through before I moved so that material is still at the supplier's. I am just now at the point where I am contemplating another structure for a work space in a different location. And now, at 64, I will be constructing a new home along with the boat...so much work! I look forward to your next posts. Rex

Great idea, Paul! I will look into electric staple guns in Thailand. Thanks.

Apparently the composite fasteners have very little shear strength so you can give the forms a sideways whack to break the attachment.

Paul, in my case, it will be for putting the second layer of forward bottom plywood panel strips on the Princess 26 (6mm over 9mm), as recommended per plan. I estimate that material at 2+ sheets of plywood...don't know if that amount justifies the hassle of buying expensive tools and then trying to sell them as seconds. Rex

I will assume you are talking about Raptor's composite line of nails and staples and add my own twist to the question. Does anyone have experience with the hand stapler? I don't want to buy an air compressor and air staplegun for a one-off boat.

Has anyone tried this plastic elliptical port? No screen but looks like it has a rain drain. The price is sure right. http://www.five-oceans.com/articulo/elliptical-white-porthole-16-1-8-x-8-5-8-20x-40-cm-/3622

Have received my plans (P26 #24) and beginning to study them. I notice the Stem plan page calls for a 1" SS half oval cap on top of the wooden stem cap. Don't know how that metal piece would bend and I suspect it would flatten in the process. But perhaps it could be extended below the waterline and around the cutwater and act as the skid plate you mention.

It also appears from Wayne's photos that he began butt joining the side and bottom panels at BH1 and forward (where the chine log was added). Aft and up to BH1 it looks like both bottom panels overlap the side panel.

Wayne, In your second to last photo, it looks like an added piece of solid timber (maybe call it a nosing or forefoot?) between the base of the stem cap and the fore end of the keel planks, right there at the last (foremost) piece of bottom plywood planking. Howard, I can understand you not wanting to remove any more of the keel plank material than necessary and I certainly do not want to lead you to do same (I do not even have my plan set yet). But in your last photo the fore end of the keel planks look too "fat". Right there at the aft end of the stem where you cut "cheeks" off of the fore end of the keel planks with a hand saw, it looks like a transitional "rolling bevel" needs to work it way further aft, efeectively thinning up that area of the keel planks, i.e. the same area I mentioned above to Wayne where it looks like he added a piece of solid timber "forefoot". rswenson, Tricky area of the build, indeed!

Here is a novel method for safer ripping with a short rip fence...

Howard, everything you are sharing is useful. It's highly unlikely that I'll pass you on this build, though. Like boat design, life is a series of compromises. And right now, while time rich, I'm cash poor. In addition, I have a smaller boat build ahead of the P26...something I can get my water fixes with while working my way through the Princess plan set. I'm privileged to have your detailed build documentation as a guide. I look forward to your next series of photos.

Howard, I just placed my order for the P26 plan in no small part due to the friendly and helpful B&B Yachts family of folks and forumites. So I am following your build thread with much interest. You seem to be in the middle of one of the more complicated sections of the build and if you don't mind I would like a little more clarification on how you resolved the issues you brought up about the forward bottom stringers not conforming to the bulkhead slots and the way the bottom panels were laying on those stringers and the keel planks. Thanks, Rex

Thanks, Chick. Liked it, indeed. Been awhile since I've heard that one.