Varnish progress

After finishing the top of the boat, I was delayed by the playoffs and additional humidity this week. 

First coat of varnish is curing on the outside of the hull now. 

In other news, the project is starting on expanding the workshop. Updates soon

First water test

We took it out last night to Lake Springfield to work out how it felt and provide feedback for any modifications. The primary stability could be better. The secondary stability is good. The higher seat option was vetoed immediately when the tippiness was discovered. It was much better with a low seat. We only tried a double blades. It tracked pretty well despite its 12.5' length. More to come. 

Interior extra epoxy layer

The second outer rubrail was done. The boat flipped back on to the table. I added fiberglass tape on the other bulkhead. Then I touched up the entire interior with epoxy. A light coat on the rubrail as well and done for the night.

Left to do:

Buy varnish,

Varnish exterior,

Water test

Build Seat

Varnish interior

One outer rubrail

Cut and sanded the fiberglass leftovers. I threw it on the car for fun. Then came a long discussion for the outer rub rail plan. The decision was made to do a short outer rub rail to match the interior space. 

The shape and angle of the ends were designed and cut as well as gluing one of the rails on. This change of plans also backs up the progress this week. The second rub rail will go on tomorrow. Wednesday epoxy touch ups on the interior and coating the rub rails. Later this week, clear varnish. Water test Sunday or later. 

The weight with outer fiberglass is 28.4 pounds. 

Fiberglass success

I spent 45 minutes this morning on laying out the fiberglass on the boat. I let it rest for about 4 hours. Tim, Rob, and I smoothed it out more, then started the process of applying epoxy. Rob was on constant mixing duty while Tim and I spread it with plastic scrapers. 

The process worked out a lot easier than I was expecting. There are a few blemishes in the process, but nothing big. After waiting two hours, we applied another coat of epoxy. After a brief inspection a few hours after that, we toasted to our success.

The boat still remains unnamed.

Tomorrow, outer rub rails and possibly a coat of clear varnish. We might be able to do the first water test by the weekend with a temporary seat. The permanent seat will come after.