Port Hull Evolution as of 13 February 2013

We have installed all of the bulkheads, stringers, and completed skinning the port hull.  The keel has been capped, and the caps properly shaped and smoothed.   We applied five layers of fiberglass over the keel, and up over the waterline, and the outboard side of the hull has had the full fiberglass layer applied and the first coat of fairing compound applied ( it is drying and will be ready for rasping and sanding on Monday morning ( it is Saturday 13 February 2016 as I write this ).

We must do one side at a time like this, because we have to remove the scaffolding in order to apply the fiberglass and fair it up.   We must have at least one scaffold on the hull so that we are able to reach the areas that we have to work on.   Once we get one side completed, we will re-install the scaffolding on the completed side, remove the other scaffold, apply the fiberglass, go through the several iterations of fairing that side, then we simply remove the scaffolding altogether, and fill and fair the resulting holes, etc.

Miscellaneous Pics, Plotting Templates and Patterns for New Build; 26ft Micro Ocean Cruiser

Here are a few miscellaneous pics, some taken by my wife, who has adopted the crew and often stops by, sometimes with home cooked, delicious food for all! 

There is a pic of our specially made epoxy dispenser ( due to the odd 4:1 ratio of this mix, vs. the usual 2:1 of other epoxies.  You may notice that the Resin reservoir is incorrectly labeled as 'Epoxy' which is inaccurate, as Epoxy is, by definition, a compound.  This has created a few problems for us... and yet...  as you can see...    it remains.  lol. )

We built two kilns for curing epoxy treated Indonesian Meranti Marine Plywood.  It speeds things up quite a bit.

The Ukelele is the Skippers... now and again, he breaks it out, and plays... and dances... and sings.  :)

We have started working on a second boat build - this one will be worked on concurrently with the 63 footer, and will be a 26 foot Micro Ocean Cruiser - also a Catamaran.  We are at the planning stages still, and are in the process of plotting and drawing out cut patterns to make templates for the various parts.

Starboard Hull Evolution as of 13 February 2016

There are some earlier pics included here, taken by my wife.   We have been working inside of the hull, cleaning glue joints, cleaning older fillets, and filleting joints.   We are also installing half-bulkheads in a few places, and working on the 'wheels' that will be installed to turn the hull over.

So how do all of these components come together to make a bloody boat?!?!?

In order to give readers/viewers of this blog some idea of what we are trying to build, in the end analysis, I have combed the internet for images that most closely resemble what we are building.  These are not the actual boat ( it is obviously not completed yes (( as of 08 February 2016 )) ) but the boat we are building will look very much like these images upon completion, with the exception of the unique design differences that we have implemented.

So...  now you will have at least some clarity as to what we are trying to accomplish, and perhaps the images that I have posted will convey a bit more meaning to you.

Today, Monday 08 February 2016 has been declared a 'Snow Day' by the Skipper, due to a snowstorm ( why else? ), so the crew remains ensconced cozily at home with family, roommates, significant others, various animal companions, or with books, projects, television, music, internet, or perhaps a hot cup of something that helps to keep body and soul together.

Tomorrow, we shall converge upon the boat shop and get back to work.

Incidentally, I will not likely be adding many more posts to this blog.  Instead, my plan is to gradually add captions to the existing photos, and to add more recent photos as I take them, and to then change the title of the post by updating the date.  In this way, you will know that the post has been updated ( if anyone is even following this chronicle..  it is as much for my own remembrances in the future as for anything else.. I have done SO many very cool and unique things in my life, many of which could not be photographed or recorded save by taking the risk of imprisonment ( due to security classification - i.e., military related ) or, I simply did not have the presence of mind or the equipment at hand to photograph the happenings...   in this case, I view the ability to take photos as a portion of my compensation package.   I will simply never build my first boat again.  I want to be able to look back on it.

Please feel free to leave comments or questions if you have a mind... I will answer to my best ability.  Thanks.

Here are some pics of what we are aiming for.

Tools, Materials, Methods, and Miscellaneous Pics

Evolution of Masts & Rigging Construction as of 06 February 2016