Idling Too Long

September 2023 marks the sixth year of the boat build.  I can only claim progress for 3/4 of a year this September due to a lack of materials.  Materials ordered in July didn't arrive until the last of September as the result of ongoing shipping issues.  Having nowhere to go, no one to see and nothing to do I spent way too much time on a YouTube addiction.  My ship has just arrived so my normal boat building days can resume.

Two 70 watt solar panels have arrived.  Both panels will be installed on forward locker lids as shown above.  The combined output of 140 watts is not likely to provide enough power for much more than a day sail.  Provisions are made for a future larger solar panel accommodated on the aft trampoline for extended cruising.

Painting is in my future.

The anchor, bow rollers, and anchor rode (anchor chain and line) will not be in service for a while but are necessary to size, design and build an anchor locker.

Above are two of the four 4' by 8' sheets of honeycomb core fiberglass panels.  The cockpit will be built with these panels.  Two panels will be joined with a spline and cut to size to form the cockpit floor. 

I manage to make some progress in July before the lack of materials idled me.  Above is the top of one of the two electric outboards.  Normally the battery latches into the black battery mount.  The mount is composed of two halves that clamp around a tube preventing the shaft and lower propeller end from falling into the sea.  The normal arrangement is too tall to fit under the cockpit seats, so modifications are necessary to separate the battery mount from the clamp.

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A dull hacksaw blade and persistence managed to separate the mount and clamp.  What do you suppose this operation would do to my warranty?  In any event the warranty will be expired before the outboards will see any action.

 The outboard is significantly shorter without the battery and mount attached.

A washboard closes up the hull entrance.  A plate, on top of the washboard, covers the raw wood groove in the image above.  Water enters the gaps between the plate and the opening to flow towards the interior due to the slope.  The groove slopes in the opposite direction to drain the water outside.  Rain initially proved this arrangement was not effective.  Reworking the groove has removed all concerns that water can enter the interior this way.  All passengers may sleep well and dry.

 The aft trampoline crossbeam is nearing completion.  On the right is a template used to cut out the plywood that is installed in its' place.  A batten, small sticks and a hot glue gun will build a template easy and quick.

The completed raw aft trampoline crossbeam is shown in its' place.  In time it will receive the same color scheme as the other crossbeams.  This crossbeam will not only support the trampoline, but a retractable boarding ladder as well.