G9 minus nine

Nine days to go until the G9 Boatbuilders Gathering.

Im waiting on my order of epoxy to arrive.

Todays progress: I got the transom and quarter knees drilled for the transom handles that came in today, as well as the cleats I bought at the G7 Gathering. The transom and the quarter knees still need to be varnished before I attach these items permanently.

The transom handles are Sea Choice 6", chrome-plated zinc. They are attached with stainless steel #10 1-inch self-tapping screws. I dont remember the brand of the cleats... possibly Sea Choice, also. Theyre the inexpensive variety, probably chrome-plated zinc, also. They are attached with stainless steel #8 3/4-inch self-tapping screws.

The other item that came in today was my pair of Perko bow chocks. I was very pleased to see on the packaging that theyre made in the USA. 

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G9 minus three

Three days to go. With G9 getting closer, Im trying to get the boat and trailer ready to travel. Today I bought some Boat Buckle straps for the transom, and attached them to the trailer. Aside from having to buy 3/8" bolts, because the supplied 1/2" bolts were too large for the holes in my trailer, THAT part went pretty easily.

Boat Buckle tie-down straps for the transom

Im running into trouble at the other end of the trailer, however. I installed a "Y" shaped piece to support the bow. Unfortunately, the support arm does not reach far enough for it to make contact with the boat, even with the winch post shifted as far back as possible. Not only that, but the bow eye is right in the way.

Time for some troubleshooting, but it will have to wait for tomorrow.

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G9 minus two

Two days to the G9 Boatbuilders Gathering. Ive basically been focusing on getting the boat trailerable. The boat wont be finished, of course, but several other builders have encouraged me to bring it, as-is. 

Hard to resist. Ive wanted to have my own boat at one of these events for years now.

In yesterdays post, I left off at the "predicament" that the bow support would not reach the boat. This morning, I had a mind-blowing epiphany: "Push the boat forward." Sheesh.

True, this does push the boat forward enough that the hull is not being supported by the full length of the bunks, but I think it will be okay. The bow eye placement turned out to be a non-issue... in fact Id say its near ideal.

The locking mechanism on the trailer winch isnt working properly, so for the time being Im using a tie-down strap on the bow.

A state DNR ranger came out today to inspect the hull. This is part of the boat registration process, in order to create a HIN (Hull Identification Number) for the boat.

Piece by piece, step by step... its all slowly coming together.

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And the painting continues

After the fourth coat of Whidbey White, the dark colors of the wood arent showing through. So, the middle section is basically done... except for the sheers, which will be painted Sea Foam Green.

With this section finished, I re-installed the stainless steel grab handle onto frame #2.

It may be hard to discern the difference in the photo... but thats 4 coats of WR-LPU Whidbey White on the right, and only 2 on the left. I didnt see the point in painting 4 coats in the forward area, as it will be covered by the deck.

The next step will be to either begin assembling the seats, or finish applying the 2nd layer of epoxy to the aft section. Im not sure which Ill do.

Aft section needs a 2nd coat of epoxy before painting.

I also found some Sea Foam Green registration decals online & ordered them. I hope theyll match the bottom paint reasonably well.

These are the decals I ordered. Im looking forward to seeing how they look.

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G9 minus four

Four days until the G9 Boatbuilders Gathering.

Okay, I admit it. I didnt even touch the boat today. 

Too much else to do.

So, Ill post a couple of photos I took at G8...

...and a few from G7:

An old Chris-Craft cruiser

And, heres the view looking off the back of a beautifully-built Glen-L Zip.

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Back to work

With the successful launch of Perseverance last weekend at G9 behind me, its time to get back to work on getting the little boat finished.

Yesterday, I applied the 2nd coat of epoxy to the center third of the interior, as well as the remaining length of the sheers. This area is now ready to be painted.

This area between frames #1 and #2 is ready to be painted.

The aft third of the interior still needs a 2nd coat of epoxy.

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G9 minus eight White at the end of the tunnel

Eight days to the G9 Boatbuilder Gathering. Today I checked the tracking on my shipment of epoxy. Its not due to arrive for another 5 days.

As much as I had hoped to have "Perseverance" ready or usable in time to take it to G9, Im beginning to think thats not going to happen. Im also beginning to not worry about it, either. Truly, whats the rush? Its not a competition. Yes, Id be disappointed this year to not be able to show my boat to other builders who have inspired and encouraged me along the way. But, if the boats not ready yet... then its just not. Im not gonna stress out about it. 

Still, Im going to keep pushing forward & well see what happens.

So... Todays update:

Ive started painting the interior of the hull. I also bought or ordered more hardware and supplies necessary for the completion and usage of the boat:

• Stainless steel eye-bolt
• 2 fenders
• 2 fender lines
• 2 dock lines
• 2 Stainless steel fender cleats
• 1 Stainless steel 6" Herreshoff cleat (for the deck)
• more stainless steel screws
• Z-Spar Captains Varnish
• Perko oarlock sockets
• Perko oarlocks

This eye bolt will be mounted to one of the transom knees. It will be used to attach a safety line to the outboard motor, in case the motor vibrates free from the transom. I got this idea from the Utility that I got to drive at last years boatbuilder gathering (G8).

First coat of Whitbey White brushed onto the forward section of the hull.

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G9 minus one Perseverance sees the light of day

The G9 Boatbuilders Gathering is tomorrow. 

Today, I pulled the boat out into the daylight for the first time. It was a great feeling, to stand back and look at it... even though its not quite finished. 

But, shes on the trailer, and ready-to-go.

Trying out the transom saver I bought.

Tonight I attached these spring-loaded fender cleats.

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G9 minus five Perseverance is a work in progress

Five days until the G9 Boatbuilders Gathering.

I think I mentioned in an earlier post that, I never intended for this boat to have more than a "workboat" quality finish. In many ways, this project has been more about wanting a boat, and proving to myself that I could build one. A blue-ribbon, classic boat show museum piece, she was simply never meant to be. 

So, aside from trying to do the best job I can on a bright-finished transom and foredeck, Ive accepted the rest of the finish to be, well... rough around the edges.

Still, some of those epoxy runs on Frame #2 were just irritating me. So, today I decided to sand them off, (or at least down), since I was already going to paint another coat over it, anyway.

Epoxy runs sanded off of Frame #2.

The underside of the breasthook needs some more paint, too

Theres still a lot of work to be done, just to get the boat ready to travel... let alone for her to be finished. But, shes getting closer. Perseverance is a work in progress. 

I guess we all are, each in our own ways.

Ill close with a quote from James, one of Jesus brothers:

"Let perseverance finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

James 1:4 NIV

Peace.

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G9 minus six

Six days until G9. No major updates today, but I did want to keep the whole "countdown" theme going...

Today, my Perko oarlocks arrived from Jamestown Distributors. As with the Perko bow chocks I bought, I was happy to see that the oarlocks are also made here in the USA. Im not sure what happened to the oarlock sockets I ordered along with them, though...

Why oarlocks? I just wanted to have the rowing option. Some lakes at State Parks, etc, where I like to go dont allow outboard motors.

Also, tonight I drilled the hole in the transom knee for the stainless steel eye bolt. The eye bolt will secure a safety line that should prevent the outboard motor from sinking to the bottom of the river, should it vibrate loose from the transom. 

Actually, both the eye bolt, as well as the type of oarlock sockets I ordered, are ideas I borrowed from the Glen-L Utility that I got to see and drive at G8.

This Glen-L Utility at G8 has both an eye bolt mounted in one of the transom knees, as well as edge-mount oarlock sockets.

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G9 minus seven

Seven days until G9.

Its also September 11. 

Like so many other Americans on the east coast, I will never forget the beautiful, crystal-clear, cobalt blue sky that morning. Such a beautiful morning, and cooler than it was today.

Boats.

Okay, todays progress is that I painted more. I got the 2nd coat onto the section I painted yesterday, with one exception: I still need to paint the undersides of the deck framing, sheers, and breasthook. 

I also painted the aft face of Frame #2.

With the 2nd coat on, the color is starting to look much better.

I decided to get the Forest Green fenders. They dont quite match the Sea Foam Green bottom paint, but they do look better than the Teal fenders, which were simply too blue. I didnt want to get white, because I felt theyd blend in too much with the boat. I wanted complimentary colors & a little contrast. I suppose I couldve gone with black, to match the outboard motor... but I didnt.

I also decided to color-code my ropes: Forest Green fender lines to match the fenders, and braided Gold & White dock lines.

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