Capt Jake laid keel

[boatbuilder.org]

Added the keel today

[capt jake]

Uhhh, I had a lot of help. Or more like, I helped out.

Where are those pics of the bow thruster ports??

[boatbuilder.org]

Bow thruster

[capt jake]

I should point out for the viewers in computerland, that is one BIG hunk of wood! 3 layers of 2x6 Fir, cross laminated followed by 2 layers of ply on either side. There is a gantry and chain hoist just out of the picture that we used to lift it in place. If I had to guess on the weight it would be around #400+ at this point. There are still more pieces to laminate onto it as well.

The pictures of this boat just don't give a good perspective of how big it really is.

ID of the bow thruster port is about 10-12".

[smoolie671]

Very Nice! I've been following this project with interest. I f you can build a boat that size then I can scale up some of my plans for a larger square rigger. 8)

[capt jake]

No pictures to update you with. I may try to take the camera to the shop tomorrow. We are going to glass the keel in place tomorrow.. Purpleheart pieces all fitted and glued in place. Final shaping was completed by Joel today.

Question: How long does it take to power sand the hull with #150 and a 6" disk????

Answer: Two of us didn't get done in 8 hours! :shock: :shock: Burned through a ....load of paper though. ;) Sure is looking slick; feels even slicker. :) Arms are still buzzing from the sander. Left hand is a little numb from all of the 'abuse' I gave it today.

[Frank Hagan]

Joel, if I ever make it up there with my wife, who wants to visit the PNW sometime, can I arrange to drop by the boat shop? I wasn't sure if Capt Jake used up all the visiting time or not!

[capt jake]

I wasn't sure if Capt Jake used up all the visiting time or not!

That's why I only work part time. LOL

[John Turpin]

John, can you walk us thru the process they used to cut in that bow thruster tube? I'm guessing that they didn't just 'eye ball' it. There must have been some sort of template.

[capt jake]

A scrap section of the thruster tube was cut to fit 'inside' the bow. The angles were rough, but close enough to get it into position (there are a few measurements taken from the bulkheads in the bow section). It was leveled and placed perpendicular to the centerline of the boat also.

From there it was traced around the circumferance of the tube (on the inside still). The tube was removed. A long drill bit was used to drill 'marking' holes to the outside. You had to change the angle of the drill so that the projected line was continued to the oustside of the hull (hope that made sense).

We then went to he oustide and scribed the outline of the intended hole, using the drilled holes as guides. Used a sawzall with a 'very' long blade and cut the hole out. Here again, you had to change the angle of yoiur cut to keep the inside of the hole perpendicular to the hole. Or maybe a better way of saying it, is to kep the inside of the hole parallel to the tube.

That hull is 1 1/2" thick at that point, when it is cut at the angles required, you are making a cut through up to 3-4" of material. We went through a LOT of blades!! And yes, there was a lot of smoke there also. ;)

Any gaps were filled with thickened epoxy. There is a large built up fillet in front of the tube that you can sort of make out in the picture. That is to deflect the water from the tube while cruising. It is somewhat dished out on the aft side of the tube for the same reason.

I hope that answers your question.

Here are a few pictures of the keel that I took this AM. When I left at noon, we had the fillets, bix and one layer of Dynel on the bow section of the keel. The plan is to have the Whole keel completed this afternoon. Then there is one more layer of Dynel to put in place.

[Brent]

This thread add an entirely new dimension to this forum - this is a grand project. There must be an army of skilled people working on this to make such progress. Please continue to keep us informed.

[capt jake]

'Army of skilled people'? Hardly; ther average is about 3-4 per day. Sometimes as many as 5! :shock: I am sure that progress would be faster (to a point) with more people.

Itjust returned from a 1/2 day out there. Spent the morning sanding while Joel ground on the epoxy/Dynel. They are laying more biax and Dynel on the keel this afternoon.

[capt jake]

Nobody had a camera today, so here is the narrative version.

All of the glassing of the hull is complete. Major fairing and blending is complete also. Two flow coats on the topsides. One complete additional flow coat on the entire hull today. An additional coat every day for the remainder of the week.

Next Monday we will put together the rollover frame. Tuesday is scheduled for rollover!! That will be quite a sight!

[boatbuilder.org]

Frank

I missed your post earlier this month. You are more than welcome to stop by If you are ever in the area.

---Joel---

[Frank Hagan]

Thanks, Joel! We want to take a few days in the great Pacific Northwest here in the coming year, so a side trip to a boat shop might be just the ticket!