Part 5

The decking continued apace. It was one of those jobs that gave immediate  satisfaction. At the end of a day's work, there was something to see.

In a surprisingly short time the decking was in place and work slowed down to a more normal rate as I completed the details. There were cut-outs to be made for anchor lockers, hatches and the gas lockers. The ones that were situated on a camber had to be built up to take a flat hatch, and faired into the deck.

The cabin sides were next and were quite substantial at three laminations of 9mm ply (staggered joints of course). The beams of the cabin sides/top were made as part of the frames so plenty to guide the placement of the panels. Fitting the three panels that make up the windscreen though was more difficult as there was no framing to use as a guide. More than my allotted two hands would have been useful at this point, but careful use of clamps and string had all three panels sitting nicely ready for epoxy gluing.

The cabin top, again was quite an easy task with the building up for the three deck hatches taking most of the time. These hatches are additional to those specified on the plan - one in the saloon and two smaller ones over the shower and quarter berth

All the hatches are Lewmar and were all purchased early on so that fitting could be exact. I fitted them all for the winter months with the idea of trying retain a bit of heat whilst gluing below decks (and it worked!). All the Lewmar hatches have blinds/insect screens to go with them.

After a period of sanding and fairing I roped in a friend to help and we glassed the decks and superstructure just in time for winter.

Most of the winter was spent working on the interior. The settees were made for the saloon and hinged lids fitted. Behind the settees were the main bank of lockers so shelves were made for these. The chain plates were going to be bolted to the bulkheads so the cut-outs for these were made in the deck and whilst the apporpriate bolt holes were made in the lockers.

The quarter berth area also had shelves fitted for lockers and the recess was prepared for the polypropylene water tank.

The galley was fitted with its cupboards and the fridge/freezer box. This also carries the double sink, extra storage and a draw below. The cooker has been fitted temporarily to position the gimbals accurately.

The chart table was sited as per plan but turned through ninety degrees to allow me to steal about 300 mm to make a larger head/shower room. I propose to fit a swinging seat under the table, later.

Moving to the outside of the boat, I made the companion-way hatch and also its cover. This will have the base of the removable hard dodger across it and also the main-sheet traveler. 

I built the combined gunwale/toe-rail from laminated ply and yellow cedar. This should add extra strength to the gunwale area. Scuppers will have to be made at intervals along its length to allow water to run off the deck and an inset fairlead fitted. The stanchion bases will be bolted through toe-rail as well as the deck.

Other additions are: mounting pad for the bow roller, angled pads for jib sheet turning blocks, and completed the cockpit coamings.

The coamings include self-draining vents for the quarter berth on the port side, and engine room vents on the starboard side. The starboard side will also include the exhaust for the hot water heater and the air intake for the diesel space-heater.

And as we enter 2015, we find ourselves wondering what the next 12 months will hold in store. Could the end finally be in sight?