Todd Stein

Thanks one and all. I think I’ll go ahead with thickened epoxy sans fasteners.

I’m preparing to mount the 6” screw-in inspection ports in bulkhead number 1. What type of sealant and fastener is recommended? I was thinking about using 3M 4200 and machine screws?

After a 4 month hiatus from the build, I’ve been steadily engaged since the beginning of the year. I had to go back and sand the epoxy along the bulkhead and thwarts beneath the bench seats. For the stowage compartments underneath the benches I added white pigment into the final 2 epoxy coats. I’m not sure I like it but it’ll be bright enough to find small objects in the stowage.

Thanks for the generous offer Amos, however I picked up some scrap lead from a plumber who was ripping out old shower pans in Richmond

Pete, if it weren’t for your detailed documentation as well as a couple other contributors on the forum I would not have so readily purchased the kit. I sincerely appreciate all your in depth notes and customized tweaks making a great design even better. I particularly like your trailer mods and can hardly wait until I’m at that stage. Stay salty!

Steve , thanks for sharing the details down below. It provided several ideas for my build like the LED lighting.

I’m totally bummed too, nevertheless looking ahead to the day when we’ll spilt tacks with Skeena and spin yarns with the skipper?

Did you still need a place to temporarily store Skeena prior to Messabout? Todd 757-634-4695

I retract my previous post due to my oversight in searching earlier posting topics on powder coating. I found insightful information which is leading me to rethink the opinion of painting as per Don’s process using Rustoleum or similar.

I was thinking of drilling the holes for the new aluminum sail track before taking the masts over to be locally powder coated. Has anyone gone down this road? I still plan to use tuffgel upon mounting the track, but I think the spars should be pretty well protected with exceptions of excessive wear i.e. snotter.

Excellent tips and ideas, thank you, but damn do you have make it look so easy???

I was looking what McMaster-Carr has for piano hinges and learned they offer it in aluminum as well. Would anodized aluminum be suitable for hinge material other than the fact using s/s fasteners can create galvanic reaction? Todd

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted and wanted to share recent updates. Despite using peel ply I’m still having my fair share of sanding. I’ve filleted and taped a majority of the bulkheads and most everything below the waterline save the ballast tank/cockpit. I’m chomping at the bit to fabricate flanges for ballast tank using the technique Alan showed. Currently I’ve been coatings the settee bunks and hatches with coats of epoxy. For the last coat I’ve experimented by adding white pigment to the neat epoxy. Reason being if I decide to paint, it will more than likely be a light color and cover more easily, hopefully with less paint. I was also thinking if it would be feasible/recommended adding enough pigment in the epoxy so as to be a top coat? I would appreciate your suggestions and feedback if this is an acceptable approach.

Pete, I’m sorry to hear of your injury and I pray your body heals without complications and you’re able to get on the water for some sailing therapy this Fall. I regret not being able to fellowship with you at the Messabout and discuss matters of your projects. Once you’re officially off the binnicle list, I will be happy to offer to crew for you anytime at your request and location. It’s no problemos for me to drive up to NoVA. Todd

Hi Steve, I hope you’re thinking of traveling down to the Messabout this year. I would look forward talking about your boat build and seek advice on some building steps. If you need a place to spend the night enroute to the Messabout, I welcome you to stay with us in Williamsburg, VA. We’re about a 4 hour drive from New Bern/Vandemere. Todd Stein toddmorganstein@gmail.com

I’m looking to purchase a 4 stroke OBM either a Suzuki or Tohatsu in the 4 to 6 HP range. Any suggestions or recommendations? The Suzuki is several pounds lighter than Tohatsu and the weights the same in the Suzuki 4 and 6HP, difference of a larger carb I’m thinking. Do you suggest a 15” or 20” model if I’m going to fabricate a cutout in the transom?

It’s been a typical hot, humid summer and Labor Day is hopefully a welcome change. Unfortunately I haven’t sailed but twice this year, instead focusing my limited energy on the boat building. Internal framework came together nicely and have had lots of opportunity applying epoxy fillets and sanding down mistake after mistake. I’m grateful my learning curve is being applied to areas of the boat that will be seldom seen! A huge boost came when Amos reached out and volunteered to help me fit and install the cockpit, centerboard and numerous bulkheads. His guidance and hands on support were deeply appreciative and helped me get over a small mental hump in the build. His willingness to help speaks volumes in of itself, but I think it shows the general esprit de corps of this B&B builders forum.

She’s a smart looking tender Pete. Glad you’re safe from the heat. I too have become susceptible to excessive heat and humidity and understand the symptoms and consequences all too well. Stay safe, autumn sailing is getting closer.

Howdy, Here in Williamsburg this summer has been hot and humid especially in the garage. The fans have helped but there’s no workaround for the humidity and thus far and little progress has been made until recently. A familiar voice of reason spoke out suggesting an A/C window unit which I found on Craigslist for cheap. It has been a humongous improvement in the working conditions as well as boosting morale and keeping my iced tea from melting! I had a challenge getting first two bulkheads to fit but after conferring with Alan and other sailing friends I was able to come up with a combination solution of additional wires and inward tensioning using para-cord. I was careful to use mild tension on the para-cord to close gap between hull and bulkheads keeping aware concave deflection on outer hull. Fillets and glassing Blkhds 1&2 are completed, awaiting overnight cure and then proceeding upwards and onwards to next stages.

Excellent suggestions which I’ll take for action from both individuals. I surely appreciate your input and grateful for the support, remarkable forum!

Thanks for the suggestions, So far its mostly been a me, myself and I project since wife works full time and kids have emptied the nest. I’ve had to think/ plan ahead and come up with alternative ways however family and neighbors will assist in the 3D unfolding which I’ll be certain to document.

I’m about to begin attaching the longitudinal stringers to the hull sides and bottom. I’ve pre-drilled and attached block and drywall screws on outboard side. My question is how do you recommend positioning the plywood while applying the epoxy filler, vertically or horizontally? Initially I had the plywood piece hanging vertically so I could work both sides, but wanted see if there’s a better way? Todd

Thanks for doing the leg work just the same, I’ll do my utmost to follow the instructions and fabricate. What master length piece do you suggest working with?