Tuesday 29th March
I had a few hours of virtual boat building last night as I contemplated today’s big task of deciding when enough is enough hog fairing and at what point to go ahead with glueing the first planks. At Harry’s shed we had a rolling cast of players. The early birds included Adrian and Nick and we watched the video of Jeff Kerr doing what we were about to do which gave us confidence as his saying of the day was that where there are gaps “epoxy is your friend”. We dry fitted the planks and again faired the hog on the port side of the bow to take away an unsightly bulge. We also trimmed the top off the starboard side plank to reduce the force needed to twist it into the bow and reduce the bow in the bottom of the plank. Mark had joined us for a bit and helped with these refinements.
JP arrived back from Albany and took control of the screw operation deciding that we needed steel washers on top of our plywood washers to stop the screws countersinking themselves into the planks. He nipped off to Thorntons for the required washers.
Veronica joined us and sanded the edges of the port plank to get it to fit along the centreline. Adrian joined in with a plain and some willing plank holders. Meanwhile Nick quietly got on with scarfing the joints on the next planks and had them ready for glueing before he departed early to receive guests.
Once we were happy that the port plank would fit we dry fitted that with screws and clamps as well. Time was getting on and we knew that if we started glueing we would be there to well after 2pm but we were all keen and what’s more, we were keen to attempt both planks together. So off we went mixing up small pots of epoxy resin (4 pots of 2+1) to wet the joins and then copious amounts of glue to make friends with.
Roger turned up as we were glueing and donned the gloves to help out. JB made a guest appearance and asked appropriate questions. The Starboard plank went on first and we were happy with the squeeze out indicating we had enough glue in our joints (as well as everywhere else!). Then the Port plank with the same result. Then the clean up. Twisting to see where the excess had squeezed out under the planks requires someone who is more used to yoga than me. Bi focal lenses don’t help either as there is always a bit you miss because it is out of focus. Luckily young Roger was on hand to help out.
We were all elated by our achievement and although the instructions say you should now retire to the nearest pub to celebrate we all left to go home for a very late lunch.
More scarfing and planking to follow on Thursday but nothing will be as tricky as these garboard planks (they say!).
Cheers Dave
PS: Our Webmaster, Peter Kovesi, has been impressing us Old Gaffers Association of WA by sailing his 15ft Navigator dinghy down the coast from Perth to Busselton. Last night he arrived in Bunbury after the 12 hour 88km sail from the Dawesville Cut just before dark. He’s camping on the boat too. Here’s a couple of pictures.
Could be a future expedition for our St Ayles Skiffs!