Bowsprit, Casting Patterns, Bulwarks and Progress
June came and went…
After a week (felt like eternity) tending to non-boat stuff (like taking my Dad to Martha’s Vineyard for a mini-vacay) I’m back in Danvers, making headway on my projects, with a launch goal of August 7th. This will get me in the water with a few days to spare before heading to Maine for Rosie & Darrahs wedding. A shakedown sail indeed!
Bowsprit Glue Joint Repair
While I was splicing with Myles, I grabbed a scrap piece of Doug Fir, and had it cut down at G&B to fit into my Dremel tooled bowsprit trench. The Dremel tool is NOT the right tool, but I’m making due with what I have. I think I have earned the right to call myself an official Wood Butcher. The Piece cut at G&B didn’t fit, so I had to widen my already sloppy trench a 1/16″ or so. Won’t be a beautiful job, but it should be strong enough I reckon. Good thing I plan to paint the inner half!
The Bobstay Chainplate Saga
I finally decided to definitely replace the glassed in stainless steel bobstay chainplate with an external bronze piece. But I’m still not sure if I should go with a machined plate design, or a cast design. Here I have mocked up quickly, a cardboard version of the machined bronze plate design. I’m not sure I like the idea of the gap between the stem and where the two plates would meet. Structurally, I don’t think it would matter. But visually and in preparation for “hitting things”, I’m not sure it would be the best design. So, I also am working on a pattern for a cast bronze chainplate. I tried my hand at a wood pattern, but with my lack of skills and tools, it was a disaster. So, I thought, why not try a fiberglass version. I gave it a shot, seems to be working so far. Still more fairing and building up to do here of course… Bondo time!
Stripping The Bulwarks
What a task this is! I didn’t have any clue about how time consuming this process would be. I’ve been using a paint stripper and a scraper to get the majority of the paint off. It’s not hard work, but is very time consuming, and I haven’t really gotten too detailed with it yet; the corners and grooves etc. The Sterling 2 part Linear Polyurethane paint has been ordered, and will be here next Thursday. Thank god for Port Supply discounts, that paint is not cheap.
She is beautiful … can’t wait until I see her in the water! Keep up the great work and blogging chronicle.