MERLIN ROCKET FORUM

Topic : USA Hazardous Boat Building Project - July 2014 Update

Hi,

I hope this summer finds all enjoying fair winds, blue water and warm weather. I just published my July update.
 
In July I fitted the deck, almost managed to set the boat on fire and (finally) gave her a name.

Here's the link to my July blog update.

Cheers!
 

Julio


Posted: 16/08/2014 00:19:35
By:
Well done Julio, like the name too


Posted: 16/08/2014 07:28:35
By: Robh3708
Hi Julio,
 
Pi'cara is looking beautiful. A great name for a great boat. Great respect for your candor in revealing the problems associated with the spinnaker chute opening. Personally, I think the boat looks better with your "Plan B" solution than it would have done with "Plan A".
 
After an arduous summer of  sunbathing and subacqua I managed to complete the planking of the hull yesterday and now the false stem, trimming of the planks at the transom and the delightful gunwhale problems await my September and October attention. I know I'm going to have a real ball with the gunwhales.
 
By the way, have you made provision for the holes for the bailers? I cut out the holes in the planks before assembly and I used a makeshift plywood pattern clamped to the planks. I cut out the holes 2-3mm oversize (1/8th of an inch) with a fret saw and then trimmed down to the pattern using gentle skims with the router to take off surplus wood.
 
My only experience with a plunge router was making the transom flap hole patterns from a piece of mdf.. The mdf melted, started a small fire, ruined my router bit and jammed the router (a Felisatti) Subsequently the router needed servicing in Naples and I vowed never to use that method ever again. Better to take ages sawing out oversize and skimming down with the router using a carefully crafted plywood pattern - but its easy to be wise after the event !!
 
Best Wishes & Good Luck with the finishing of Pi'cara. - (Piccante in Italian ?)
 
Ainslie French


Posted: 01/09/2014 10:27:46
By:
Rob, I figured you'd like the name... 
 
Ainslie, thank your for your kind words. She is already doing honor to her name... I'll explain in my next update. Congratulations on finishing the planking. Indeed, exciting times ahead with the gunwhales.
 
I plan to cut the holes for the bailers just before I turn her over to install the slot tape. Yes, I should've done it as soon as the garboards where in but didn't have the bailers at the time to measure the opening. It is more painful now to cut holes in the hull.
 
Agreed, better to take time sawing/shaving/sanding out excess material than using a router manually.
 
Send more photos of your build when you get a chance.
 
Cheers!
 
Julio 
 
 
 
 
 


Posted: 03/09/2014 14:22:34
By:
Hi Julio,
I managed to take some photos of progress in my Hazardous 170 build here in Italy this morning, just down the road from where Spartacus was imprisoned and escaped, which I include below.
 
I also include a description of the slot rubber slot taken from the publication "Dinghy Building" by Richard Creagh Osborne published in 1963, which you may find interesting. I don't know what the modern approach is but certainly this book is a point of reference.
 
Best wishes with the continuing work on your beautiful Merlin, Julio.
 
Ainslie
 
 
 


Posted: 08/09/2014 10:38:08
By:
 
 
 
 
 
 


Posted: 08/09/2014 10:43:06
By:
Hello Ainslie,
 
She's looking really good. And that is a solid hardwood transom, is it not? Have you chosen a name for her yet? (My turn to ask now! )
 
Thank you for sending the slot gasket publication. Interesting indeed. For the modern approach, Keith send the me the following publication Wayfarer Slot Gaskets by Mike McNamara. I followed with great detail step by step to set up and prep for mine. I hope it helps.
 
Cheers!
 
Julio 
 


Posted: 10/09/2014 01:09:01
By:
Hi Julio,
 
Thank you for your kind words.
 
Yes, it is a solid hardwood transom and it was a real problem to build. It is of African Mahogany (Sipo) which should be fairly stable (I hope). This was the culprit when during planing it decided to do rubber band impersonations on me, curving 24 hours after planing, due to an imbalance of humidity between the two faces of the wood - one face was resting on a plywood surface - the other was open to the humid garage atmosphere. Fortunately, I didn't succumb to Catherine wheel planing temptations and instead followed Keith's advice of taking the transom into a warm environment to stabilize and it is now flat on both faces.
 
Yes, I have a name, which I will reveal at a later date, for superstitious reasons !!
 
 Thanks also for the details of Wayfarer slot gasket installation - Great !! - which I will use at a later date.
 
Best Wishes & Tanti Saluti
 
Ainslie.


Posted: 10/09/2014 09:38:41
By:
How's the next update progressing Julio?


Posted: 12/09/2014 18:14:08
By: Gareth Griffiths NHRC
Gareth, I hope to have my August update by this weekend although it will most likely disappoint since August was very busy with work and Summer family trips.
 
Cheers!
 
Julio 


Posted: 13/09/2014 00:07:30
By:
Julio, your updates never disappoint. They are eagerly awaited by all.


Posted: 13/09/2014 09:00:15
By: Miles
Couldn't agree more Miles, every update is great. An inspiration to those of us in a similar boat...!

Hope you had a great holiday..


Posted: 13/09/2014 17:45:36
By: Gareth Griffiths NHRC

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