Building an Outboard Trawler - Mahogany Shoulders
Weather-wise, yesterday was a beautiful day.
Boat-building-wise, it was an excellent day!
On Monday evening, we cut one of the 12-inch boards from the mahogany table. Yesterday morning, we packed the mahogany plank and, on the way to the boat, we stopped to pick up a sheet of 1/2" plywood.
The plan for the day was to work on either the main cabin bulkhead or the 'shoulders' at the forward end of the main cabin. . . . or both, if time permitted. What we call the 'shoulders' are the parts that attach to the forward bulkhead and to which the main cabin sides will attach. They will be visible inside the main cabin.
We are all different and one of my 'differences' is that I have an overactive 'adventure' gene. Mike and I were born one year apart and his 'difference' is that he's the one with the brains. So, when he suggested that we should build the shoulders with mahogany instead of plywood, that's what we did.
As it turned out, we spent all day (9 am to 3:30 pm) on the 'shoulders' and forward roof support. When we finally got them cut and dry-fit, Donna started to mix up the epoxy.
Ta-Da! It's all installed! All three parts were cut from the one board.
Awesome!! Thanks again Mike!
Next Bulkhead. . . . .
Today, Donna and Noreen stayed home. Donna had a medical appointment.
Mike and I focused our attention to the opposite end of the main cabin. Our next job was to finish building the main bulkhead.
We had installed the bottom section (of horizontal-laid 3/4" plywood) in early spring. In order to lighten the structure as we built it up, I wanted to continue with 1/2" plywood instead of 3/4" so, after Mike and I measured and cut the top half, including the curved roof line, the door opening and the 'bump up', we cut 1/4" thick shims for the butt blocks.
On the outside of the bulkhead (the back wall of the cabin) the joint will be flush. The butt blocks will be inside the cabin.
The butt blocks (and shims) are all attached with epoxy. Tomorrow, if all goes well, we'll be installing the bulkhead. Woohoo!
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