4 April 2011
This is during our sea trial in March, 2011, at Lake Perris, California. She sits well in the water and performed exceptionally. It was a partly cloudy day, but the lake was glass-smooth. We spent a couple hours on the lake and now it's on to find an upholstery shop.
This is layout of the frames in 2003 on the bench.
Frames are Honduran Mahogany with plywood gussets. All joints are epoxied and bronze ring-nailed.
These are all the completed frames laid out on the garage floor "bottom up" to get the idea of the shape of a boat to come.
This and the following glue-up photos show the frames secured onto the motor stringers that have been trued and plumbed on the building form which I nailed to the concrete floor for rigidity as the boat progresses.
The hull taking shape after all the chine and sheer logs have been secured and the battens have been let into each frame.
Complete framework before any plywood is attached.
The beginning steps of creating the "Barrelback" design that is so appealing about the Key Largo.
This and following 2 photos show the hull taking shape with plywood laminations. I used 4 layers of 1/8" Phillipine Mahogany plywood on the bottom. The first 3 layers are alternated diagonally and the last layer runs lengthwise. The sides are two diagonal layers of the same plywood and the final layer will be 1/8" solid Honduran Mahogany.
4 April 2011
Each layer was applied with epoxy rolled on with a paint roller and held in place with staples. I shot the staples through cardboard "washers" and every one was removed after the epoxy dried. I lost count of the thousands of staples. I paid the kids 5 cents per staple for removal services. After all layers were complete, bronze screws and mahogany plugs went around the hull at the chines, sheer and double along the keel.
The hull nearing rough completion before stain and fiberglass. The mahagony sides have been applied and the bottom fairing is nearly complete.
My youngest boy helping out. He will be 13 by the time we have the 'sea trials' in 2011!
My oldest boy who will be 19 and home from college for Spring Break on 'sea trials' day!
The hull receiving the single layer of fiberglass cloth used on the entire hull. It is draped and ready for epoxy 'wetting out.'
The hull after fiberglass cloth and receiving multiple additional coats of epoxy resin. The shaft hole is visible, but was actually drilled before the fiberglass was applied.
The jig I made to drill the shaft hole. It consists of a hole saw mounted in the end of a dowel that was turned on the lathe to fit into the strut exactly. The strut was located and temporarily secured and dowel passed through. I epoxied a steel bolt in the end of the dowel and chucked into the drill. A block of wood was placed on the hull to give the bit a square surface to bite into. I sat on the block while my son ran the drill!
Masking and painting of waterline and bottom.
Family Bassett Hound is Layla!
"Righting Day" I used the "Beer and Buddies" method.
Although it was a bit rainy, all went well.
Pacific Trailers of Chino, California loaned me a trailer to transport the hull to their facility where they custom built one to fit the hull.
Group photo shows relieved builder sitting inside the upright hull.
Hull back home on new trailer!
Back in the building "slip" and top decking framing in progress.
The engine ready for installation.
4.3L GM Vortec V-6, marinized and a Velvet Drive 1:1 Transmission.
Engine mounts are bolted to solid 8/4 Maple sandwiched between 2 pieces of Mahogany.
Engine going up, over and in. I had to put the hull in the garage and unbolt the garage door opener to give me enough clearance for the hoist. Helper is the oldest son seen in earlier pictures pulling staples.
Exhaust manifolds, risers and other plumbing taking shape.
Decking nearing completion
Hull finished.
Front bench seat being built.
Mock up of my custom cutwater. It will be chrome plated brass topped by the hood ornament salvaged from my father's '48 (or '49?) Chevrolet Fleetside!
