Building The Vera Cruise

[Jimbob]

That's looking mighty fine Carl.
Jim

[mrintense]

Thanks Jim, I'm looking forward to the day wen it can look fine on the water!!

[mrintense]

Started decking this weekend. Also got the starboard side electrical conduit made and installed.

[denbrlr]

Looking good. More things to check off the list. One day you will check off the last one and have a boat

Lee

[hoodman]

G14?!

[JimmY]

Hi Carl,

I like the idea of cut outs in the conduit to help get the wires where they need to be. Did you just use your spindle sander?

[mrintense]

Thanks for responding Lee, Matt, and Jimmy

G14?!

Boat won't be ready by then and I can't make it next year because of other family commitments, but perhaps in 2021. We'll see.

I like the idea of cut outs in the conduit to help get the wires where they need to be. Did you just use your spindle sander?

I used blue tape to layout the ovals, then drilled around the inside perimeter, then cleaned up with Dremel sanding drum. Rounded over edges with same then sanded with sandpaper by hand to smooth up. However, the spindle sander probably would have worked better. Just didn't think of it. My approach wasn't hard, just kinda messy with all the plastic dust.

BTW I can't take credit for the idea of the cutouts. A friend of mine with a 28 foot Blue Jacket had this setup and I copied his idea.

[mrintense]

Well, the port side deck is now installed and I'll be able to finish cleaning it up tomorrow. Had to get up early to put it in to avoid the heat. As usual with these larger pieces, the stress factor goes up because of the race to get done before the epoxy starts to set. But it all went well.

[DrBryanJ]

Nice job Carl

[Hercdrvr]

ODAAT, you’re getting there.
Matt B

[hoodman]

One bite at a time. Keep plugging away, Carl.

[mrintense]

Thanks Matt, Matt B, and Bryan.

While waiting on the epoxy, I started thinking about the next steps. After fiberglassing the decks, I want to permanently install the two cabin side pieces I made earlier this year. But before doing so, I want to do any milling needed for the window openings as it will be easier to do that off the boat.

This goes back to my discussion several months ago about how I was going to do the windows and give them the ability to open outwards. So today I spent a bit of time mocking up a prototype of the idea I had back then to allow me to work out the details.

The photos in the next two thread postings show this first prototype. It needs some tweaking to be right and I see some mistakes that will need to be corrected, but it allows me to better visualize where I am probably going to go with the window openings. This was made with scrap wood and a hinge I had laying around and does not reflect the final choice of hardware, only the general idea.

The basic idea is shown in this drawing. The window sets in a recess on the outside of the cabin side, is covered with a frame that overlaps the cabin side, and is sealed by a rubber seal in the landing. The hinge is mounted on the underside of the top opening edge and sandwiched between two pieces of wood. The window will be held open with an adjustable support. I may also build in a small recess for a screen if possible.

[mrintense]

Photos of the prototype:
In the second photo, my thumb is on what would be the window glass

[mrintense]

More photos: One of the big problems with this initial prototype is that the window doesn't reach the upper landing. So some tweaking will be needed there. This is shown in the last photo.

[hoodman]

The windows opening like that will be really cool. And hopefully let in a lot of cool air.