This episode marks another milestone. All the Tiki 26 interior fitments are completed:
Above, the port galley compartment is fitted with a small shelf to the right of the companionway (steps). A grey non skid coating awaits application to the companionway tread surfaces. A little gray will spark things up in my mind's eye. Below the shelf and tucked in the corner is a raceway leading wiring into the cockpit. A screwed on panel provides access to pull wires through the hull's side.
Varnished mahogany edging completes the bulkheads and shelving edges.
For those readers who may have missed previous episodes, the stove is in the action position while resting on the footwell cover doing double duty as a table. Can you find the footwell cover magnetically stowed in the previous image?
The starboard hull received an identical companionway, shelf and raceway as well as an extra shelf and table ledge.
Areas above the shelves are not painted. Installing the cabin sides will require fiberglass and epoxy in those areas.
The interior is not greatly detailed in the plans. Hopefully I have anticipated most future needs with the interior fitments. This portion of the project has required thought before plans could form. It has presented awkward working and painting positions along with finicky fitups. In short, completing the interior has been very time consuming. Some people building these boats apply spar varnish to the interior as opposed to paint. These folks have saved lots of time, but end up with a dark and dreary interior where I'm better pleased with a bright and cheery aspect. This is partly a matter of how time pressed and patient a person is. I live in Belize were patience is required, I'm retired, so my time pressure is only from the grim reaper.
I am pleased to pass this milestone and move on to more straightforward tasks that will close in the cabins (I can then declare another milestone) and lead to finishing the hull exteriors. From what I have read, fairing (smoothing) a hull can be mind numbing work and I may long for the days of interior fitment, but today I'll doubt that. Regular readers will know there is sanding in my future.
In closing this milestone celebration I offer interior images to better illustrate the ground covered:
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| Starboard aft compartments prepared to receive aft deck. |
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Aft deck ready for installation
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| Starboard forward bunk ready to receive deck |
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Forward deck ready for installation
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