Tabbed Out
The arduous task of completing the remaining 20 fillets tabbing the three forward bulkheads to the upper hull panels is completed. This involved a week of sanding the raw epoxy fillets into a uniform contour. Fiberglass was then applied over the fillets quickly followed by another week of sanding the fiberglassed areas to achieve blended paint ready surfaces. I kept my fingers taped so the sand paper wouldn't work my fingers to the bone. This was one of those tasks that does not help to keep up the enthusiasm. Fillets consume lots of epoxy, about 15 gallons have been used at this stage in the construction. I feel as if I've turned most of it into dust (could I get some bread with my whines), but completing this tabbing in is something of a landmark.
The sharp eye may notice that the bow fillets are not completed. This task awaits Dremel tool sanding drums that will not arrive from China for about two months.
Upcoming operations will require me to enter the hulls. This is not possible with my hull rotation ceiling suspension system. My existing cradle elevates the hulls too much for some tasks. Stands were built to support the hulls as close to the ground as possible. These stands will prove very useful in that future day when the hulls are moved outside and the boat is lashed together for the first time.
The forward lockers will require combings to keep the water out. Above are the box joinery combings, one has been epoxied together and the other is in progress. These are rather large and sized to accommodate a person seated on the composting toilet described in a previous episode.
Shown above are the forward stringers with the combing and hatch mount. The combing and hatch require deviation from the plan's call for three stringers extending to the bow over the three forward compartments. The plan stringers are 1" x 3/4" and placed with the 3/4" dimension vertical. This allows the stringers to bend and follow the upward hull sweep. The stringers supporting the combing and hatch mount are placed with the 1" dimension vertical. This makes for a stiffer stringer that will not bend to follow the upward sweep. Compensations must be made.
Above is the method used to accommodate the upward hull sweep on the hatch mount stringer as well as the combing stringer. A limber stringer is rested across three bulkheads and adjacent to the stiff hatch stringer. A c-clamp pulls the limber stringer against the middle bulkhead to produce the desired upward sweep in the stringer. A spring clamp presses the limber stringer against the stiff hatch stringer. A line is drawn on the limber stringer underside where it meets with the stiff stringer. This line is drawn on both sides of the stiff stringer to account for the bulkhead camber. A spokeshave makes quick work of removing the material between the stiff stringer lines to produced the upward sweeping deck mounting surface.
The hulls now sport fitted decks! Epoxy coating, glueing, painting and various other details remain before any decks are attached. I had to enter the hulls for the first time to draw lines on the deck undersides locating cutouts for the hatch and combing. The hatch lets in light into what would otherwise be very dark compartments in the forward bunks. The head will be installed in the starboard hull, as you can see this is a very exposed location. I and my crew will get to known each other better than possibly we would wish. A modestly poncho might be in my future. Without this facility, relieving yourself could be a new challenge with unexpected consequences and new tales to tell or hide.
