The engine hatch didn’t glue up well at all. Basically, I doweled the lap joints and when I did, for some reason the joints didn’t sit as well. I believe it was because I used a speed bit for the 1/2″ oak dowel, and the holes were not straight enough. In any event, I spent the mid part of the week trying to force glue in the sub-millimeter gaps that the joints had.
The task for this weekend was to sand the hatch frame and install the crossbeam for extra support. Sanding went well, but of course, was dull. The crossbeam turned out to be a lot of fun.
When I build the companionway hatches, I really didn’t know much about how to do it. The engine room hatch, though covering a drop-down entryway for the engine is basically the same design, but a foot smaller in one dimension. I had doweled the crossbeams on the companionway hatches, but this time decided to do a mortise and tenon joint. I also decided that the crossbeam underside should have a curve matches the topside.
The mortise and tenon joint went well enough with the router, having never done one before, I took my time and remeasured everything. Few cuts with the chisel and the tenons fit real good. I also cut the curves in the crossbeam with the router and template, and I really wish I had done the same with the companionway hatch. I am going to have to use the router more, looks so much better.
The Edson aft-drive wormgear finally got through customs this week and the guys at YachtSmiths didn’t waste any time starting to install it. The Edson 40″ Destroy wheel was delivered as well. For me, this is a major milestone.
Amy and I started to construct the frame for the engine room hatch. We cut all the wood over at Hops (of course) and then took it back to my shed to make the lap joints. I’m still not very good at it and should have used the tablesaw. Think I would have learned by now. Anyway, it got glued up this weekend.
Amy also put some time on sanding the little shroud cleats. It’s not a high priority thing for us, but is something nice and small to fill time with.
Just got back from a weeklong business trip, but was able to put a few hours in this weekend to work on the boat. Amy and I started to make some cleats for the shrouds. These lash onto the shrouds and are used for flag halyards and such. We only needed 4, but somehow I cut out enough for 9. Just more sanding. Amy thinks they look like huge clothspins.
Ross drilled out the holes for the gaff and boom rollers. Thanks dude.
Been preparing for a tradeshow for this week, so I wasn’t able to do much for the boat. I did design a Grand Bank style dory though, just to see how it would work out. Amy and I have been thinking of writing a small article about using Google SketchUp for boat building since I seem to be spending a lot of time designing in it recently.
