Bulkheads - Begun

The weather has thwarted me at almost every turn over the last couple of weeks, but I have managed to make at least some progress. 

As mentioned, I'd bought my inspection ports and bungs for the watertight bulkheads and so now I worked on getting them fitted. It was a simple matter to draw around the openings, and then I used a hole saw to get things started. 

Today was the first real clear day, and I'm happy to have used it well. First I used my jig saw to cut out the holes for the ports. I used a metal cutting blade to try to minimise breakout damage, although there was still some minor damage done. Still, they came out ok. 

I was slightly concerned about the 2mm ply bulkheads perhaps being a bit flimsy, so I decided to beef up the tops with another strip of the same ply. I made these wide enough to adequately surround the inner gunwales too, so hopefully this will increase strength in these areas of the hull and decks nicely. 

I cut them slightly oversized and clamped them together. Then I used my sanding station to get the outlines as perfect as possible. 

Should provide a better landing edge for the deck now too. 

Keen to make the most of the day, I wanted to give these parts a decent soak coat of epoxy as well (rain supposed to be coming back this week). I dug my old resin out and found it to be a solid mass in the bottom of the bottle, because it has been sitting for so long. I sat it in a bucket with hot water for a while, and it soon became runny again. I mixed up a batch (with the additive that makes the epoxy more viscous and has a wood preservative as well) and drowned the components in it. 

Tomorrow is supposed to be fine, so I'm looking forward to getting some more done. I'd love it if I can get this boat finished before the summer, but I'm going to have to come up with some money soon. In the mean time I'll get as much done as I can with whatever I have on hand. 

Still Here

Feeling the frustration lately. Not that that's a bad thing. It usually builds up to a point where I can take it no longer, and then step up to finally make some shit happen. It might not look like it, but I have actually made some small steps toward progress. 

For months and months my poor canoe has lain neglected down the down the end of the yard. Loved perhaps, yet still nowhere near complete. Part of this has been due to the distraction of cleaning out the small yacht that I've (cleverly) also elected to save from certain destruction (see my other blog about Sentina). The rest is largely related to my new job. You see, my position is permanent part-time, which is just fantastic time wise. I have so much time off, that you would think I'd be able to make great streaks of progress on every front. The problem is that, although it does pay quite well, it's still not enough to provide any sort of disposable cash whatsoever. And because I need to be on instant call, I can't fill the gap with another job. I've been investigating ways of making some spare money on the side, and this search continues. Of course none of this will be an issue when I eventually land a full time role, but that's scarce comfort in the mean time. 

Another motivation is the fact that I've had a gut-full of waiting to go paddling and sailing, especially with the glorious weather we've been having lately. Plus my Canadian mate (who's built and paddles a strip canoe and sails a trimaran as well) has been making noises about organising some beach camp cruising lately, so I've resolved to do whatever I can to move the ball a bit further down the field at every opportunity. Which brings me to my latest activities. 

Disgusted at the sight of my canoe slowly becoming enveloped in weeds, a couple weeks ago I dug the old girl out and moved her over to the corner where I usual work on her. A quick inspection showed no damage or twisting, which is a relief. The strong back is pretty knackered though. 

Then I figured I should get myself organised. My shed(s) had become clogged with loads of crap over the years, and finding my tools had become something of a nightmare. This photo was taken after I'd started pulling bikes and stuff out. It was a solid wall of junk as soon as the door was opened. 

Amid the clouds of dust, dirt, cockroach/rodent shit and mummified rat carcasses, I hauled everything out into the yard for assessment and allocation.

It took a couple of days, but eventually order was restored.

Buoyed by my progress, I've even managed to carve out a minuscule amount of money from my tax refund for inspection ports and bungs for the watertight bulkheads. I hope to get those sorted and installed into the hull this week, if this miserable weather (which has ironically hit us just now) eases up. The shitty weather is the reason I'm updating this blog instead of actually working on the boat.

BTW, one thing I've well and truly learned: with any future boat building projects (and God help me, there's another one floating around in my head at the moment), a proper dedicated shed is non-negotiable. There's not a doubt in my mind that this boat would've long been completed by now if only I had sorted out this in the first place. Potential builders beware.