Woody Runabout Phase 22

Now confident of getting waterborne in early August.

Linking the control lines through the rear bulkhead, attaching the windscreen and cleats, then a couple more coats of varnishing to do. 

Having set myself many little design features and cosmetic titivation's on this classic style small boat project,  the road to completion has taken many more hours than originally anticipated. The windscreen has four brackets that each required  individual fashioning and fitting with associated under-deck strengthening points for their attachment. The screen is detachable for the eventual maintenance of the hull, when she will have to be turned over.

The seat backs are laminated out of Ash and tennis racket shape,  strung ready for fixing to the bench seat. So the finished result will be quite unique.  A flight of fancy, where the design has evolved en-route.

The decks are surfaced in clear Epoxy Resin ready for topping off and finishing with  Epiphanes varnish. A real buzz reward to enjoy after the 800 hour project begun in January.

The road trailer will require some adjustment, together with the addition of support rails alongside the roller supports.

Almost ready for the water

Two or three more coats of varnish but no more than five

Waterline beam width should give ample stability

The seats are ultra lightweight but quite strong

Woody Runabout Phase 21

Tired of waiting for my local wood supplier to dig out some Sycamore I chose to look further afield. Within easy reach (45 miles up the A303) I discovered Yandles wood merchants (Link) tool shop and craft centre. Not only was their self selection department open, the variety of woods is amazing and the prices significantly lower than I have been used to paying in Exeter.

I came away having spent more cash than I needed to complete the boat. Some too good to overlook that will come in handy for later projects. The Sycamore plank freshly cut from the tree is complete with waney edges. The creamy white texture is easily worked and will soon take on a golden honey colour, once varnished and exposed to the light.

The gunnels are in place, plugged with dowels into the holes that were the ones made by screwing temporary fixings, while the epoxy glue set. The epoxy was thickened to make it adhere better to the vertical surfaces. Also attended to is the motor well edges that have the lovely white contrasting wood enhance the appearance of this design.  A cosmetic indulgence to spend so much time at this stage.
The  35 fixing dowels/plugs whittled down individually and laborious but satisfying.

Now using Abranet, an open abrasive fabric that does not clog like sandpaper does.  I do recommend  it to any woodworker. Also recommended is diamond abrasive sharpening stones that put a keen edge on steel with the minimum of effort.

On the to do list :....  fit windscreen and cleats (after the deck is varnished) . Box in the batteries and switch gear. Run control cables through rear bulkhead. Fit seal to base of motor well.  Fabricate and fit front seat backrests. Fit support rails to road trailer. 

Grey tinted screen dry fitted to be supported each side by an additional pair of knees