time for an introduction

[bdann]

I've been mostly lurking here for several months, using the search feature, just soaking up information.  I've wanted a sailboat for years.  Last spring my friend Grant suggested that perhaps we build a boat, something we'd discussed before, but never very seriously.  I started doing a little research and stumbled on Phil Gowans weekender web site and knew THAT was the boat I wanted to build.  I ordered the plans in April, Grant and I made the first cuts in May, and have been slowly working since then. 

I had never done any woodworking before this project.  In fact, the only saw I owned before starting was a chainsaw!  That is one of the reasons the Weekender appealed to me, the fairly straightforward construction process...and the fact that it can be built on a relatively small budget. 

Not a completely current photo, but here's the boat after dry fitting the deck and bulkheads:

Presently all these pieces are permanently attached.  Thus far we have been pretty lucky and haven't majorly screwed anything up (that we know of).  I had to recut one of the deck pieces after cutting it on the wrong angle, but other than that everything has gone smoothly (though slowly).  Oh we did install the forward bulkhead backwards, even though I had clearly marked it forward and aft...caught it before the glue dried thankfully!

....more to come.

[Frank Hagan]

When you go "3-D" is when people start realizing you really are building a boat.  Until then, they are only questioning your sanity.  Not to say they think you are any more sane, but now they know that not only are you crazy, but that you really ARE building a boat.  I would say you are making great progress, except that the beer bottle goes in the middle on the foredeck.

You have to keep us updated with pictures and your progress now! 

[Ken_Potts]

Frank - Technically you don't have to center the beer bottle.  One acceptable alternative is to counterbalance the one shown with one to starboard.

Welcome to the madness bdann!  It looks like you've got a good start.

[PAR]

I'm a little too far off to the left, to ever have a more centrally oriented beer bottle.

[Frank Hagan]

Frank - Technically you don't have to center the beer bottle.  One acceptable alternative is to counterbalance the one shown with one to starboard.

Welcome to the madness bdann!  It looks like you've got a good start.

Well, the next task is clear, isn't it? 

[Konrad]

What is it that the Aussies say..?

"Good on ya, mate..!" 

[bdann]

You have to keep us updated with pictures and your progress now! 

I'll definitely do that.  Not much to report from the weekend, just cleaning up some details before the sides go on.  (oh and we took care of the beer bottle orientation on the foredeck.)