Battens

I finally installed the bottom battens, at least on one side. I faired the frames so the planking would sit flat, then notched them for the battens. I only needed two shims on the frames to get the battens to the right level. I used the tried and true handsaw and chisel method to make the notches in the frames.

I used a clamp on the front end of the outside batten to make it closer to the curve of the bottom planking. I glued and screwed them in the afternoon so tomorrow I should be ready to get the bottom planking on. It has already been fitted and just needs some holes drilled before I glue it on. The plywood you see on the left of the picture is the bottom planking for the right hand side. Of course, it is 80F+ in Charleston so I may just spend tomorrow at the pool...

Second side glued and a trailer

I bought a trailer for my as yet unfinished boat. It also has a boat attached to it, so now I have one and a half (maybe 9/16ths) boats. By the price was right and the trailer looks perfect for when my boat is done. The boat is an unknown vintage Butterfly. The boat way complete except for three missing battens for the sail and drain plug. The previous owner said he used tape to plug the hole. So far the list of repairs includes refinishing the wood bits, loosening up the kick up rudder parts and adding a drain plug and access hatch.

I looked up the trailer by itself and they are still being made, which is a bonus for parts. The Butterfly has a two part mast so it can fit on the boat during trailering. I will have to add an extension to the jack stand to hold the mast for my boat.

Speaking of my boat, I glued the other side planking in place. The side was coated with epoxy last week when I glued up the other side. I had to rough up the epoxy along the gluing area so the epoxy would stick.

This is the latest photo. Both sides are glued and trimmed to size. Some of the screws were in the way so I had to cut through them. I guess my pre-drilling was a little off. Next up is some fairing and install of the bottom battens. In the back of the picture you can see my wood refinishing station. I hope that the boat that floats doesn't distract me from the one that doesn't.

First side installed

I finished gluing the first side planking onto the frame! after a few nights working until midnight I had everything fitted and drilled and ready to glue. I had it on good advice that I should coat the insides of the planking before attaching it to the boat. This saves all those knuckle busting tight spots after it's all together. I mixed WAY too much epoxy, and ended up coating both side pieces and still having left overs to pour out. I know better how much to mix now.

I hope the second side will go faster now that I have an idea of what it's supposed to look like.