MERLIN ROCKET FORUM

Topic : USA Hazardous Boat Building Project - September & October, 2014 Update

Hello!

I hope all are well and starting exciting boat projects in preparation for next year. I just published my September and October updates. I've taken more responsibilities at work and extra time to work on the boat has been somewhat scarce lately. However, progress continues nicely but slowly.

In these past two months I've been carefully fitting the rubbing strakes and gingerly sanding the deck joints and scarf joints.

Here's the link to my blog. I hope you enjoy the update.

Cheers!


Julio
 
 


Posted: 31/10/2014 13:33:13
By:
Great Stuff Julio, she's coming on nicely.
 
To me, the finishing off of the rubbing strakes looks  a tough job, there isn't much room to cut to shape towards the bow.
 
I see there are several options :
 
1. Making plywood templates for various regions, clamping to the gunwhale and trimming along the template with a router.
 
2. Sawing where possible and planing.
 
3. Or just plain planing - probably the least dangerous of all options !!
 
Would it help to turn the boat upside down ?
 
I'm sure you've got a great method in mind.
 
I've got the inner gunwhales on and installed the transom knee and its beginning to get really cold in Italy in the morning.
 
Anyway, keep up the great work Julio !
 
Tanti Saluti
 
Ainslie
 
 


Posted: 01/11/2014 14:53:17
By:
Hello Ainslie,
 
Thank you. It's not as bad as it looks towards the bow. Extra material for margin of error is very helpful.
 
I followed a similar method that Keith and Jeremy Deacon have used in the past. There are others. I'd say sawing some excess material before fitting is helpful.
 
Given my current setup, I don't see the benefit to turning the boat upside down as the important work is on top and against the deck.
 
Good to hear you have the inner gunwhales in. Next two go in a bit easier. It's (finally) getting a bit cooler here in Austin with overnight lows around 9°C and high temps in the mid 20°sC. Really nice, actually.
It will be around 24°C at F1 race time today. It should be a great race.
 
Muchos saludos!
 
Julio 
 
 
 
 


Posted: 02/11/2014 12:38:36
By:
Morning Julio
 
Looking good as ever.  Not long now before you start the fitout. Advantage of turning her upside down for the very final finishing of the gunwales, is that you will be able to get an even and smooth finish under there and hopefully not mark the hull finish. It is one of the areas where you sometimes find the finish not as good as the rest of the woodwork as the builder (more often than not a pro) has decided that it does not add benefit and is time consuming.
 
Look forward to the next update
 
Barnsie
 


Posted: 04/11/2014 08:37:27
By: Barnsie
Hello Barnsie,
 
Thank you. You bring up a very good point. I sanded, faired and painted under the gunwales when I painted the hull, Now, after inserting the temporary hardware to clamp the rubbing strakes, I have to fill the screw holes and re-paint under the gunwhales. Also, where the rubbing strakes widen, an epoxy fillet is recommended between the gunwale and the rubbing strake. I'll have to remove the paint and primer over the area where the fillet goes and finish/refinish when done.
 
Since I still have to fit the slot gaskets and add the bailers, I'm thinking I'll turn her upside down after I finish the deck, do all of this gunwale/rubbing strake finishing work plus some minor paint touch ups at the same time. This way I don't have to turn the hull upside down too many times and risk damaging the deck before finishing it.
 
But maybe I'm omitting other steps. What do you think?
 
Cheers!
 
Julio 
 
 
 


Posted: 04/11/2014 12:44:01
By:
Hi Julio,
 
 She is looking great! So i now have the plans and have been reading lots about the construction. Thanks for the tips on the books Ainslie.
 
Now need to find a house with a garage to start the project! Planning to start spring 2015 all being well!
 
James 3396


Posted: 06/11/2014 18:40:22
By: James Gibbons
Thank you and congratulations, James! I love your logic. I look forward to hearing from you and your project as you start planning and building your Merlin Rocket.
 
Cheers!
 
Julio 


Posted: 10/11/2014 12:01:24
By:
Julio
 
Apologies for not getting back to you sooner. Been very busy and let it slip. Think your approach to turning her over later is probably the best idea. On another note, when you fit all the screws, fit with epoxy. For the high load screws/bolts, worth, post drill and checking, to cross mark with pencil lines. Then oversize with 8 mm drill and fill with epoxy fibres, then by rejioning the pencil lines redrill and fix the fitting in place. We do it on our boats.
 
M


Posted: 20/11/2014 09:07:21
By: Barnsie

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