1583.5Hrs- Windows On The World
An excellent work session today, one of those when the mood is good and things just flow. I needed to be confident as I’d decided on another of those ‘heart in the mouth’ jobs i.e. cutting holes in the hull to take the portlights I purchased at Beaulieu the other weekend. I decided to go with the plans and put these portlights in the places shown on the drawings of the forecabins, There are two on the outboard sides of the hulls and one on the inboard sides so a great way to use the six I’d got. Although it’s a bit early to do this job I figured that with lots of work to do inside these cabins the extra light and ventilation afforded would be very welcome. After making up a hardboard template of the cutout needed I spent quite a bit of time measuring, marking and checking to avoid any disasters and then picked up the saw and went for it! I needn’t have worried, everything went swimmingly and I soon had all six in position, held by some temporary screws. It’s strange what a difference they’ve made to the hulls. I couldn’t help wondering what sights will be seen through these new openings on the world!
View of Port Forecabin from Starboard
Four In A Row
To keep up the momentum I then started construction of the deck section for the starboard hull. As always things went quicker and easier thanks to the practice gained making the first one. I’ve got the first layer of ply in place with all the transverse and longitudinal stringers glued into place. The photo below shows a cross section of the ply/polystyrene/ply sandwich I’ve been talking about (this was the piece I cutout to make the access hatch yesterday) hopefully this makes what I’ve been doing a little clearer.
Sandwich Construction
Hello Neil,
Are you using a special polystyrene? I thing about water which can stay in it.
What will you use for buoyancy.
Amicalement
Hi Georges
I’m using a fairly standard construction insulation polystyrene branded ‘Jablite’ here in the UK
It doesn’t absorb water and will in any case be completely encapsulated in the epoxy and sheathing. It is of course also incredibly buoyant but I really don’t want to consider the decks as my first line of defence! The boat has sealed buoyancy compartments in the bows and sterns and I have heard that filling them with ping pong balls is a great way to increase buoyancy as well.
Job well done! Looking good…