Starting on the Hull 4/25/14

All of the ribs are set. We are working on the bottom of the hull. Jopefully, we will have them scarfed and set so we can mode on eith other parts by next weekend. 

Scarf joint progress

Tim and I tag teamed to knock out all nine of the scarf joints ready for epoxy.  The three on the bottom of the hull, and three on each side. 

To ensure that the panels lined up perfectly, we chose to glue the scarf joints in the skeleton. It was tedious, but it got the joints epoxied on one side panel. Almost all of the clamps came out to achieve a continuous 9 meter panel. The same process will be repeated tomorrow with the other side. 

By glueing the joints in the mould, we have no missteps in alignment and positioning. It also allowed us to join all three scarf joints at the same time. 

Once those are epoxied and cured, we will pull the two long sides out of the mould and epoxy the scarfs on the bottom of the boat in time for the big Saturday work day. 

So you can see the joint that will be covered in wax paper. 

9 meters = 29.6 feet - We have a boat!

We got the other half of the hull side plotted, cut, and traced to the opposite side. After getting them set, we placed each of the bulkheads so we could check the overall fit. Check the following photos of our topless boat. 

Scarfing joints comes next. I want to get them each glued and cured by Saturday. 

More than half a Hull

A bit more progress tonight. 

Using the trace cut on the router, I was able to zip through the ply tracing the two hull side pieces I cut earlier. I have them clamped into the ribs temporarily as I will need to come back and scarf the joints. 

I am hoping to get the two side panels plotted and cut tomorrow night, then use the router to trace those as well. 

Scarfing the joints should work into the process of this week as well. I would like to get to glass and epoxy the seams on Saturday. We will see if I can prep it by then. 

Hull has improved

The bottom of the hull is cut and in place. I will scarf and glue the joints this week. Progress has started on the sides of the hull. I have just over half of one of the sides plotted and cut. 

Next I will trace-cut the half side to another sheet with the router. I will then repeat the process with the stern half of the hull sides.

Hopefully we will be able to set the scarf joints this week and start the fillit and fiberglass tape on the internal seems this weekend. 

My friends have arrived

Two gear boxes arrived today. 

They will be installed on the boat as seen above. The input rotations from the bicycle cranks will be doubled in the output, spin the driveshaft and the prop at the end. 

One more piece of the puzzle as we move forward. They will be spending some time with Jerico as he has taken point on building the drives for us. I'll post more as progress continues this weekend.

We have a skeleton

After our slow pitch softball game was cancelled, I took the opportunity to run the string and set the heights of each of the ribs. I still need to toe nail them to the work surface so they do not move later.

Next, I will attatch the ribs, then start the hull bottom. We still have to cut and place the bottom. Then scarf the hull pieces together.