Talk about a Split Personality!

 

Kathy and I were applying the first coat of paint to our girl yesterday and I just had to stop and take a picture halfway through the days project. I've often wondered about the reason behind most boats having a "split personality", and now I know the answer...

 

 

..and compared to sandpaper, progress seems so swift with a just a paint roller and brush...

 

 

It's only the first coat, but WOW!! Nice!

 

Pirate

 



..As Simple as Black n White???

 

I really don't know how many times I've complained about how "fun" any kind of sanding is, but I know I've said it alot!

 

 The truth is, there is a whole lot of sanding involved in building a boat. I haven't had any new pictures to share lately as I've just been depleting my sandpaper allotment without much significant "noticeable" progress. (to me anyway..!)

 

And then we got to break out the paint...!!!

 

The first coat of primer applied to the hull!

 

The hull will be black, so we started tonight with the transom...Nice Shine!

 

 

We are using Pettit Easypoxy and using the roll and tip method of application. The whole process is new to me, but so far, so good on the outcome. In fact, It's as simple as black and white!

 

More pix soon as we are progressing quickly...which is good. I've mentioned before that our goal is to be on the water for the "Spring Fling" boat party on May 17th. Registration opened for the event this week and we have signed up and paid for our slip! (how's that for confidence!)

 

Film at 11, but we feel pretty good about our chances at this time. Ask me again in a month...!

 

Sail On...

 

Pirate

 

 

 

 

 

Boys will be Boys....

 

I painted myself into a bit of a corner this week by making an appointment with the state of Texas to have the boat inspected so they can assign a Vehicle Identification Number to the hull. I've got TWO weeks! They won't be looking at required equipment or even if it floats! They simply need to establish true ownership before assigning a VIN.

 

They say bring receipts for materials, etc. Oh, I have plenty of those.....!! 

 

So even with the latest deadline approaching, I couldn't resist having a little fun and trying the mast "on for size!" We won't need the rigging measurements for the upcoming inspection, but I just had to use a little of our precious time to play sailor.....

 

 

Very Kewl stuff!!!!!! Every sailboat needs rigging! :)

 

One of the projects I DID work on this week was the hatch.

 

 

I really like the way it's turning out. Remember, I don't have any real building experience, so putting stuff like this together is taking me a LONG time, and lots of thought. It's all mahogany and is lookin' good!

 

Have a great week!!!

 

Sail On...

 

da Pirate

 

 

 



...And She has A Name!!!!

 

The weather has been quite good here in Texas lately (sorry to those of you living up north!) which allows me to keep plugging away at the boat outside. As the work progresses, I have had many new faces appear in the driveway to ask questions about our boat, the building process, and "what's her name?"

 

This week, I finally told Kathy of my idea, she liked it, and the name has been set in stone. (so to speak!) Without getting into the personal reasons for our choice here, I present...

 

 

It's been a "spirited" week of progress on the build as well. Work has continued on the companionway hatch and the cockpit coaming. With the completion deadline (May 17th) fast approaching, it is comforting to see something in the driveway on the trailer that resembles a boat!!

 

 

....just a tired, happy Captain!

 

Time to get back to it! Have a great weekend!

 

Sail On...

 

Pirate

 

 

 



Companionway Fun...

 

In my last post, I showed a picture of the hole in the cabin that will soon be the companionway. The fun part of this stage is the introduction of nicer wood. It would be nice to be able to afford to build the whole project in mahogany, but my wallet dictates otherwise. We have also decided to use mahogany rather than teak due to cost and I like the look of mahogany anyway..! If the boat was going to live outside, I might chose differently, but we plan to keep a spot nice and warm in the garage to store her after sailing!

 

The douglas fir I have been using is very nice stuff from Clark Hardwoods in Houston, but the mahogany is beautiful...

 

 

 

The work has slowed as I try to make everything fit together nicely. It was also fun learning to use a router to put nice edges on the boards that I used. It's harder to create a snug fit to everything than I imagined since I only have hand tools, but rewarding nonetheless when completed...

 

More pix coming as the work proceeds.

 

Have a great weekend!

 

Pirate

 



Workin' On The Hideout!

 

Work always seems to progress faster when you get to add big chunks of wood to the project! And it's so nice to now get a real "feel" for the lines and the size of our new vessel and hideout!

 

 

 

After wrestling with another big piece of plywood, we now have a cabin top and I have installed the rest of the cabin sides! We even had to throw a few cushions below to try it "on for size....!"

 

 

The "Hideout" gets closer to reality!!

 

:)

 

Sail On...

 

Pirate

 

 

 

 

It's Been A Busy Week!

 

My lack of updates has been intentional this week. Kathy had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Rome, Italy with her mother to visit her daughter who teaches there. What a generational family affair!

 

And me? I wanted to keep the boat progress a secret so Kathy would be surprised upon her return!

 

Truthfully, I spent MANY hours in the garage/boat barn this week and I can now look back at a very successful week of work.

 

While waiting for the last coat of fiberglass to cure, I started work on the bow sprit. The solid block of Oak I used is very different from the softer woods I've used so far, and was fun to form to the final shape. I've never stained anything before, so I learned many new things here.

 

 

Now that the deck has been fiberglassed, I could begin work on the cabin. I mentioned before my efforts at forming the cabin clamps. I put those to work and up go the cabin sides and front.

 

 

I also learned how to use a router as I had to cut the "rabbits" in the window edges to hold the glass in place.

 

 

...and out into the sunshine we go!

 

It always amazes me how 40 hours of hard work can be summed up in just a couple of pictures! And yes, she was pleasantly surprised at the progress! :)

 

Have a great week!

 

Pirate