Building The Vera Cruise

[mrintense]

Thanks Jim! I am inclined to also go without stain for the very reasons you mentioned. Once I get everything together and back on the boat, I'll start considering options in this regard.

After thinking about how I was going to edge join the boards, I came to the conclusion that the longest bottom piece does not need to be extended via a scarf joint. Instead, a simple butt joint with dowel rods will be fine. This is because five and half inches of the six and a half width boards that will remain in this area are backed up by the carling once the cabin sides are installed. Eliminating the scarf joint saves some work and risk.

I already have a doweling jig which worked great and the two boards lined up perfectly on the dry run. The picture below shows how I am going to do the actual glue up later today (have to do Mother's Day things with the Admiral first!).

Yellow straightedge keeps the boards flat and other clamps hold the two together after glue up. The joint is in between the C clamps on the edges.

[mrintense]

I've got the first two boards edge glued and they came out dead flat. So I have confidence that I can continue down this path with the remaining lumber. Rather than post any pictures here, I've added a new posting to my blog linked in my signature.

I have been rather busy with many other projects so work is progressing slowly on the build, but I am still making progress.

[mrintense]

The last two main boards have been added to the port cabin side piece. I'll be adding a couple of vertical pieces for the forward end as soon as I get a better idea of where they will be going. But you can see where the cabin lines will go if you imagine the right hand end of this picture being the front of the cabin side.

[hoodman]

Those cabin sides are going to look awesome, Carl!

[mrintense]

Those cabin sides are going to look awesome, Carl!

Yeah, I'm excited to see them after cutting out the shapes. Thanks Matt

[ian bell]

Looking real good Carl , you are a Master.
Ian

[mrintense]

Thanks Ian. Work is temporarily on hold while I catch up on some chores. Should be back it by the weekend.

[mrintense]

I've gotten one vertical installed and the second one fitted on the port cabin assembly. It's threatening rain so will wait for awhile before gluing in the last piece. But here's what it looks like so far. Once it's cleaned up a bit more (but before final sanding) I will start laying out the curves.

The template will only serve as a rough guideline and I will be using battens to develop the actual curves. The aft window may be extend back approximately 3 inches and sharpened for a slightly better appearance. And if you look at the template carefully in the lower front window you can see how I am going to lower the forward lower corner. This will make it more parallel with the deck of the boat.

And just as a point of reference, the lower edge will mostly be attached to the carling with only about an inch and a half visible above the deck. Current thought is to make the front windows sliding and the aft window fixed.We'll see when I get to that stage.

One last point, the forward upper corner will be cut sharp and later after it's glued to the forward cabin pieces, it will be faired into a rounded edge.

[Milhouse]

Looks like you are making some nice big strides!

[mrintense]

Looks like you are making some nice big strides!

Yes, it's very satisfying to do these. Started gluing up the starboard side as well today.

[DrBryanJ]

Nice work Carl. I like the new lines you have drawn in.

[mrintense]

Thanks Bryan. I am pretty sure I will extend the aft window and I will definitely be doing the change to the front window.

Got another piece on the starboard side glued up this morning.

Here's the port side now before trimming anything or before any cleanup.

[Milhouse]

Carl wow that's a serious chunk of wood! its going to be great to see it cut to shape

Looks like you have a nice future tow vehicle back there too

[mrintense]

Carl wow that's a serious chunk of wood! its going to be great to see it cut to shape

Looks like you have a nice future tow vehicle back there too

I am also anxious to see it cut out. The second one is nearly done. Only have the two vertical pieces to add. Hopefully by tomorrow, but we'll see since there's also family activities tomorrow.

I bought the truck four years ago, optimistically thinking that I would start using it as a tow vehicle in two years.

But the good thing, is, like the boat, there will be no debt involved as it is paid off. I love the fact that I am going to be able to have a boat like this with the necessary trailer and motor and all of it will be paid for. Finding Glen L was one of the best things that's happened to me in the last few years.

[chugalug]

Looking good ,Carl.I didn't save much by building a boat(had to build boatshed and shop first) but think I'll save on the next one as I already have the building spot.