Category: Melonseeds

The “To Do” List

 

(to start of project)

There are now a pair of lists posted in the shop. Though the order on them is somewhat arbitrary, they will govern activities for the next three weeks. The first one is a bit daunting:

To Do

• Finish sanding decks.
• Cockpit coamings and centerboard case trim.
• Install centerboard keeper pin.
• Make jam cleat for each centerboard pennant.
• Make hatch frames, hatch covers, and hatch attachment fittings.
• Mast collars.
• Final shape and trim of stems.
• Toe rails, toe rails, toe rails, and toe rails.
• Final trim and shape of transoms
• Make rudders and tillers
• Make and install rudder hardware.
• Rub rails
• Tung oil varnish all decks and topside brightwork. Twice each boat.
• Fair and paint hulls. Twice each boat.
• Add names and stripes if possible.
• Install hardware.
• Make oarlock thingies.
• Get boats outside somehow.
• Trim Masts and Sprits.
• Test Sail rigging and make attachment points.
• Make adjustable mast step sockets.
• Tung oil varnish masts and sprits.
• Modify trailer to carry two boats.
• Pack for St. Michaels, and try not to forget anything.
• Pray. Meditate. Make appropriate offerings to interested deities.
• Breathe.

 

To Do Later

• Varnish undersides of decks.
• Add two more varnish coats everywhere else.
• Add another coat of paint.
• Add Brass Stem Band and rub strip along keel.
• Install drain plug.
• Make floorboard decks.
• Make canvas spray shield.
• Sail often.

 

Most of these things are simple and straightforward. Some, like the toe rails, are a little tricky and complicated, made only more so by the fact they’ll be so prominently displayed. A few things from the first list could be demoted to the second, but not many if we actually want to go sailing in St. Micheals this year. I’ll have to complete at least one item a day, and several on the weekends, to be done by the first weekend in October. If it turns out sailing is not an option, then heck, we’ll go rowing. Modus Operandi is attack the first list at the beginning, start chewing down through it, and see how far we get. Adapt as necessary.

It’s easy to get caught up in a race mentality, which would probably be a mistake. I have to keep remembering the ultimate goal of the last 20 months of work is not to make a big splash on one weekend. It’s to have two boats I’m happy with, proud of, that I’ll be sailing for at least the next 30 years. I could easily botch something trying to hurry, and then have to live with it for 30 years, which would kinda suck. And, I expect to go back to MASCF every year for years to come, not just this year. This is not to say I’m conceding defeat, just graciously accepting whatever comes.

With all that in mind, North got its Deck flush cut and sanded earlier in the week. This morning it got a pretty Walnut Transom. This afternoon, a deck gets sanded and work begins on Cockpit Coamings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

melonseed skiff, mellonseed skiff, melon seed, mellon seed   

 

Rough Cut Walnut Transom on South.

 

(to start of project)

Yesterday South got the flush cut treatment with saws and routers. The deck around the sheer line, the hatch and mast hole all got cut and trimmed, then the deck sanded. It took a while, only because I was cautious. The flush cut router bit actually behaved itself and made it pretty easy. I still remember the fiasco of the router eating my spars, so I didn’t want to take any chances. Continue reading “A Transom and Then Some”

Frame/Deck joint on South.

 

(to start of project)

Both decks are now permanently attached, marking the last major structural step before these boats are done. Aside from the rudders, tillers and hatch covers, there’s nothing left but trim and finish work. Lots of it, granted, but nothing scary. They look like boats now. Continue reading “All Hands on Decks”

South hatch opening.

 

(to start of project)

Deep breath.

Early last weekend there was only one thing left to do before putting the deck on South – cutting the hatch opening.

I’ve been pondering this task for the better part of a year, going back and forth on different ways to approach it. The problem is that I really want to be able to use the cut out in the deck from the hatch opening for the hatch lid, to make a seamless unbroken sweep in the wood strips in the deck. I had already laid the opening out to line up with the curves of the cockpit, but keeping the cutout intact was going to be tricky. Not only does it have to be cut out with minimal damage, but it also has to line up perfectlly with the final hatch frame later. I settled on cutting the opening before the decks are glued down, which is easier for cutting, but requires careful planning. Continue reading “Cutting the Hatch”

North interior, varnished with Le Tonkinois.

 

(to start of project)

Once the knees cured on North, the interior could be sanded and prepped, followed the next day with the Le Tonkinois tung oil varnish. Without Emily’s help it took me all day, but it looks great. Continue reading “North Gets a Shine On”

 A heat lamp hurries epoxy cure.

 

(to start of project)

Much has transpired since the last post, most of it good.

On a sad personal note, our old dog died, the one in the videos from this past Spring. She couldn’t climb the few steps in and out of the house for the last month, but on her last day she climbed the full flight of stairs to the second floor twice to visit each of the girls’ rooms and sleep by our bed. We miss her.

The girls returned to school, so I’ve lost some helpers, but Terri has stepped into the breach like a real trooper. We worked until 3am Sunday night putting one of the decks on, and that potentially disastrous operation went very well. But more on that later. While waiting for the deck to cure, there’s time for some updates. Continue reading “Time Fast and Slow”