3743Hrs – Gas, Masts and Oscar
As planned we had a little shopping trip this morning out to the local caravan and camping store. I got all the hose, pipe and connectors I need to plumb in the cooker as well as two new 13kg propane bottles that should see us cooking on gas for a while. I have to build some plinths and retaining blocks in the gas locker and run the pipework so that’s all added to the list for later.
It was nearly lunchtime before I got to the barn and once there my priority job was to get the masts prepared ready for welding. I’m not entirely sure when the guy is coming to do the work but hopefully it’ll be within the week.
It was a bit nerve racking taking a big angle cutter to the aluminium but I took my time marking out first and took things very carefully. The masts are raked aft at 9′ and 7.5′ so I decided to cut the mast tops so that the caps will sit level. It was a bit trickier to do but it meant I was able to cut out the slight damage that occurred to one of the masts during shipping.
Once the mast were cut I notched in the cap gussets and marked up the mast cleat locations on both masts. I also dropped the aft deck section and stern ramp so I could remove the stern tube as that needs caps welding on the ends as well.
My two LED masthead lamps arrived today as well so I was able to suss out where and how they’ll be mounted on the mast caps. It should be an easy job as long as I remember to run a lead wire through the masts before the tops are welded in place. I’ll do that first thing tomorrow.
Oscar’s epoxy shell had dried nicely so I got her rubbed down and slapped on a coat of primer before calling it a day.
Found your website last week when I ordered the study plans for what I hope will be my self-built Tiki 38. I started reading and couldn’t stop. So………now that I’m caught up, please feel free to carry on. I was worried you were going to launch without me! Love the build, and the narrative is very insightful!
I assume you have a vented gas locker?
Hi Spencer good to hear from another prospective builder, those study plans are dangerous!
Yes, and they have been for years from what I hear. Thanks for the answer. Your story is very intriguing. If it were a book I’d have never put it down.
Would you mind answering a question or two? Not to pick apart any of your statements, but just to help me decide on model?
#1- Now that yours is totally enclosed, is it as roomy as you thought it would be or do you wish you had more? I ask because I am 5’10” and my wife is 5’7″ and with approximately the same build as you and Gail. Would we find ourselves packed in the hulls?
#2- You stated in one of your earlier posts that the 38 was about the upper limit of a singlehander’s ability. Is this your opinion or is that a recommendation from Wharram? This one really concerns me as, with jsut the two of us aboard, it may be neccesary due to illness or injury—Plus, I really like the room in the 46(shhhhh….don’t let on!)
#3- You seemed to have made steady progress when working, and I really like the way you tracked only the work hours. So, now that she nears completion, would you feel safe in saying that an approximate build time is closer to 4000 hours for a single individual?
Hi Spencer, OK here are my answers:
#1 Yes I’m happy with the interior space as per the plans. A few inches more headroom in the forward cabins would be nice but the main cabins are fine. As always it’s a balance. When Martin Hivon built his Tiki 38 Al Raso he raised all the coach roofs to accommodate his 6’6″. He chose practicality over looks. Ultimately that’s the beauty of these boats you can, within reason, custom build to your own wishes.
#2 Personally I wouldn’t want to handle anything bigger than a 38 single-handed. Everything on the 46 is substantially bigger, I guess if set up properly it may be possible. Ask the question over on The Wharram Builders & Friends forum, there are some experienced 46 sailors over there who are better qualified to answer.
#3 I’m a slow worker with fairly basic tools and in that respect then yes 3500 – 4000 hours seems right. Everyone has different experience, standards, conditions, tools etc so there will be huge variances. All agree that the Wharram 2200 hours is wildly optimistic. I’d work on 3000 – 3500 hours. If you go for a 46 it will be waaay more. It’s a big boat.
Hope that helps, thanks again for following.
Neil,
Thanks for taking the time to answer, I know you are pushing the clock to hell and back right now and every minute is precious. Your information is great, and you are giving all of us a lot of insight into the process.
Now get crackin’ man, you are in the double digits for the launch countdown!
All the Best
It is fairly simple: The 46 weight twice the 38. So, basically, twice the materials, twice the time, twice the cost.
Hmmm–thanks Jacques, never thought of it that way. Leave it to me to overcomplicate the thing. Twice the work you say? And here I was wondering about a measely 4000 hours-lol!
Another question for Neil, if you don’t mind–What is the total height of your pram from keel to highest point? Only asking because I’m thinking of building a tender first in order to determine if this is something I even want to attempt on a large scale. I can abandon a tender in frustration or lack of abilities if needed.
Hi Spencer
That’s a good idea. It’s a 7’7″ Nutshell Pram, you’ll find plenty of info online.