Dec 30: stitching

started stitching tonight

copper wire came in 4 rolls

i cut it into 3 inch pieces as above. 

then started twisting

my two little helpers watched and helped

charlie boy likes watching daddy stitch. 

it was a fun night in the garage!

and when we were done......

we got something that actually looks like a boat!!!!!!

Dec 29: sand, measure, measure again, then drill baby drill

been away at moms for Christmas. glad to get home and back to work. 

well this is what the finger scarfs look like when dry.  they are surprisingly strong but not perfect (as you can see above). 

after some sanding they turned out pretty nice. 

look at the strength. epoxy is amazing stuff. thats my hand under there holding up the middle with both ends off the floor.

the next part, cutting the rabbet reliefs, was a nightmare. instructions say to use a box planer, but i butchered the first edge with the planer. the reason i ordered a 'kit' was so i wouldnt have to do much woodworking!  

i ended up cutting these by hand. hope it works out. after 2 or three (of the 8) edges, i got pretty good at it. 

now the hole-drilling. 

measure measure measure then drill drill drill

holes are every 4 inches. 

stitching will hopefully start tomorrow night!!!!

now, take a look at this precious baby eating supper

   

Dec 27: home from work and right down to business

opened up the kit today

lots of cool stuff in there

got right to work on the scarf/finger joints

they are a tight fit. 

i used wax paper in between, hopefully ill be able to get them apart tomorrow after this epoxy cures 

the instructions are clear that each section needs to match (exactly) the corresponding section on the other side of the boat so i was careful to stack them and be sure they were flush (see below)

all done for the night. will sand off excess later this weekend after the epoxy cures. 

Dec 26: Merry Christmas to me!

my skerry kit finally showed up. my first peek at her came via text message from jennifer while i was at work. 

the oars came in (alone) a few weeks ago. 

after having a relaxing few days away at my wife's family farm, im excited fo get started. 

there doesn't seem to be much to the kit. just a 4x8 feet plywood shaped box about 4 inches thick along with a box of epoxy. 

hard to believe a 15 foot day-sailer is going to get made out of that box. 

owelicious (my 3 year old and inspiration, pictures to the right) and norman (the german shepherd) wonder the same thing!