Ourgoal for this trip to Halifax was to install the engine, or at least get it started and to do some hull priming/painting. While I started with the engine, Amy tackled painting the bilge and watertanks.

The first order of business was to get the engine moved into the boat and test fit it on the engine beds. After that we moved the engine aside for the drive shaft alignment. Robert and I built an alignment jig and we used it and a metal wire to align the shaft. I sat on the template while Brian did the actual alignment by checking the wire’s position within shaft and template. Ryan then tacked the shaft into place and will finish welding it next week.

Amy prepped the engine room, aft cabin and watertanks for painting. After that, she put in a couple of coats of paint into watertanks and at the end of two days managed to get a coat of paint in to both the engine room and aft cabin.

Ryan, Phil, Scott and I tackled the foredeck hatch. Scott cut down the hatch log to match the curvature of the deck, while Ryan welded up the frame with help from Phil. The curvature was a little much, so I ended up making a little ‘riser’ for the fore and aft sections which added a little be of ‘flare’ to the hatch frame, plus giving the hatch more space to be bolted to the frame.

The fuel tank lids were too large, so Amy drew them out smaller and Phil cut them down. I also marked the location of the fuel fills which Phil cut out. We are going to drop a solid pipe from the deck straight down into the fuel tanks and place the vents right next to them. Phil also cut down the watertanks lids as well.

Scott cut down the dash box to fit the aft cabin deck. It looks great.

Scott, Phil and I also got started ‘boxing in’ the engine room with 1/2″ marine plywood. In less than a days work, we got 1/2 the engine room done. Of course, it will all have to come down again to paint the backsides of the panels and cut 1/8″ fiberglass board to the outside.

The mast holes in the deck had been foamed over, so Amy cleaned them out and prepped them for welding in the mast collars.

And lastly, the bilge plates. Phil, Amy, Ryan and I tackled this on and off all week. Phil had made the bilge plate covers after he set the lead with polyester. I helped fit some of them, but mostly Amy and I did fire watch while Ryan welded them down.

Well, it was a good week, we didn’t finish installing the engine or get a coat of primer on the outside (it was too cold), but we make progress all over the boat. And it was a blast. Thanks guys!!!