After the cabin posts were installed (see previous post), we've gotten busy trying to tie them together and get a roof on things. First order of business was to trim all the posts to the same height and notch them for the fore-and-aft stringer. Built a quick jig to mark height and got that done.

Then figured out that I didn't do so well with that and had to re-mark and re-cut several posts. I found that I did much better getting one "right" and then using a long level from that point. Thankfully the ones I goofed on were too long and not too short.

This past week we've been working inside the boat... in between vacuuming and pumping out rainwater.

My goal is to get a cabin roof on this thing, so it will be a bit more practical to keep dry. WIth that in mind (and actually it matches up with the recommended order of building), we've been cutting and installing the cabin side posts.

Each post had to be notched at the bottom (to fit around the chine logs and sides) and then lag bolted to the side deck/sheer clamp. Other than my usual luck (or non-luck) at cutting things to fit tightly, I got them all in place. 

Since turning the boat over, I've learned a few things:

• If you want to break a drought, just have a large "bathtub" sitting out that you don't want water in.
• If you do any woodwork anywhere near such a tub, every bit of sawdust will wind up in the boat.

I've had to pump out rainwater several times. I have most of the bilge sealed moderately well now, so hopefully I won't get any particular damage, but I've got to get better shelter.

After the chore of sliding the boat out of it's "hole", it was time to turn it over. The next even after work a friend came over and we rolled the hull.

Boy, that makes it sound easy, but it really was. As with most things I've been doing recently, it didn't go anything like I had planned. I had made all kind of various plans in my head for building a "roll cage" or various external supports and braces to support the hull while it rolled.

Originally I was going to combine this post with the next, but it wound up being a full entry on it's own, so I'll just keep you in suspence a little.

Got out this morning and did a final solvent wipe to get all the dust and dirt that I could off, then broke out the paint.

Before

I sometimes get so tied up in building the boat that I forget why we want to go boating otherwise. Don't get me wrong, I get great enjoyment from getting out and putting something together. I get even greater joy when it works right the first time.

What a day!

Up early (at least for a holiday) and out to work.

Early morning light

The last week or so has been a hurry up and wait process.

Sanding, sanding and more sanding, spending, spending and more spending.

Started getting progress made again. I have pretty much all the cracks and holes filled now, and have been continuing to sand. And sand.

I ordered the xynole cloth today to skin the hull with for abrasion resistence and final water tight layer. I've got to order a boat load (pun intended) of epoxy to wet it out. I'm told the xynole uses much more epoxy to wet out than the fiberglass cloth, but it will wind up being the equivalent of 2-3 times an equal weight of fiberglass in strenght/abraision resistence.