Monday, July 13, 2009

Dinghy Day Six











Well, I can it day 6, but I have not really done a days work since the last post. The fact is that I have been having terrible problems with the West tropical slow hardener. It seems to take weeks to cure, and clearly something was wrong. I did not bring pumps out with me so that could have contributed to the problem, but not in a huge way as I am mixing the resin using measuring spoons and this is fairly accurate. So after having wasted a litre of epoxy on encapsulating the outside of the hull in something that resembled honey (with the associated flies and insects attracted to the thing), I have decided to recoat it with a stronger mixture. This time by doubling the hardner quantities I am getting results. I only have one litre of epoxy left to finish an entire boat though.

Anyway, here are a few shots. The sheerline is coming to life after I added a rubbing strake. I will do the same on the inside of the boat too. I think it will give more deifinition to the shape, and is something nice to hold onto. You can see the rather natty clamps I made from half PVC tubing.
The oar is there as I am trying to figure out a way of storing the oars inside the boat when sailing - the problem is not dealt with in the plans. Quite a lot more work to do - its these little things that take the time. Will keep you posted though...

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Buy rather than Build?


























































Apologies for not including some text to explain the pcitures of a rather delapidated GRP boat above - most of you will think I have gone bananas and maybe you are all right.
The reason is that I am not in the UK for the Summer and am looking for a cheap local project to get me out on the water. The dinghy you read about in previous posts is part of that plan, but I also thought it would be nice to have something that I could cruise and sleep in - the yellow peril above has been rulled out - but there may be other lurking around awaiting some tender care....







Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Pillars of Support




Well I have to say that I am not so fond of stanchions, but as these bronze bases came up second hand, I decided to get them. It means that I have period bronze bases giving me the option of stanchions later on if I think they will be helpful. I only got two of each, so my idea would be have that extra security from the mast base back to the cockpit. This is the real danger area on Roach - and next season she will be complete with non-slip along the caulking and small non-slip bare teak battons upto the mast. That, with an all-around grab handle, and I think she is getting ocean ready.
PS. It's quite nice being able to dry ones clothes when on an extended cruise and stanchions come in useful for that too.
PPS. They should polish up nicely, but as with Roach's brightwork policy, the only thing that is shiny is the wood. The rest I let go to verdigris - for aesthetic reasons, you undertand?