Passed a big milestone this week. It has been one year since I started my build (I ordered the plans on May 10, 2007). Since that time I've managed to get most of a hull built. I'm behind the point I hoped to be, but probably about with the point I figured I would be.

This week it doesn't seem like I've gotten to work on the boat much, but wound up getting a good bit done. I have ordered and received another batch of epoxy. There was a problem with my shipment (one of the jugs burst in the package) which created a huge mess, but U.S. Composites promptly made good on it with no quibbles. So far I've been very impressed with their products and service.

Georgia had some pretty bad storms during the night last night (tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, etc.) We didn't have any real damage, but the high winds neatly removed the plastic from my shed. Since it's easier to work that way, and it's not due for any rain to speak of for several days, I just left it off. The winds this afternoon would have removed it again anyhow.

One side effect is that you can see the entire boat at once. Got some pictures while we had the opportunity. Below is a picture from one of our upstairs windows. Please excuse the window screen. I'll try to get some eventually without the grid.

 

Dane got busy removing some of the "clamping" screws down the centerline so that we could plane it off level and get ready for the keel. While he worked on that, I rounded off the chines. I tried using a round-over in the router but with the angles involved, it just didn't work well at all. Wound up just taking the angle grinder with rough sandpaper on it and rounding it by hand. Worked like a champ.

 

Later we got the first board of the outer keel on. Had to plane off the centerline flat and fill the "crack" with epoxy. Went ahead and glued the first board in place. That went fine ... just have to make really sure it's straight and in the middle.