Even Keel

Since the last post lots has been going on. Starting with the delivery of 630kg of lead keel which was fettled such that it had a flat top to marry up to the deadwood as it was rather wavy when it arrived. The hull was then raised on boat legs and the keel manoeuvred into place and bolted on. All was then faired (keel and deadwood) and then sheathed in epoxy and fibreglass and then primer. Then D returned to the interior and has manfully started varnishing and sanding and varnishing again. We are using a slightly satin finish varnish which is looking good. And now the foredeck is going on and the cockpit structure is being worked on. D is also working out what skin fittings will be needed. And in the middle of this we had a visit from the prospective builder of G138 which was nice. I will shortly be starting on the above deck rigging items. I am starting to compile the list of what will be needed and we have ordered the berth cushions.

Photos

Below is the keel as deliverd



Here is the keel in the process of being flattened on top
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And here it is finished



And here is the device used to winch the keel under the hull using short pieces of scaffolding pole to roll it over. The made the job quite straightforward and better still no one got bits trapped under a large lump of lead.




Here is the keel positioned under the hull.

Here the deadwood is completed

Deadwood at the aft end of the keel

 

Here is the keel enclosed in fibreglass and with a coat of primer.




Here is the ply layer of the deck going on the bow section

 

Bye for now.