January 5, 2004
This was a busy day on the boat. David spent most of the morning aligning and drilling the rudder bracket holes into the transom. To do so, we used the original transom to obtain horizontal placement of the bracket originally. Then, an aluminum shim plate had to be made that fits behind the rudder bracket (1/8") to ensure a tight fit because of the angle on the bottom of the transom. The bracket sits as low as possible on the transom (limited by angle on bottom). We then clamped the bracket in place, and center punched the holes.
The center punch was custom as Dixon had slightly enlarged the rudder bracket holes. This was done because the original holes were crooked (hard to drill because of the casting). Consequently, we wanted the transom holes to be very precise. Once this was done, David carefully drilled pilot holes, used an insert drill, and finally drilled the final sized holes. This was a very time consuming process, but was critical that it was done properly to ensure the rudder is properly placed and aligned.
Skip Schott spent the day building butt-blocks for the deck. The deck will be put on in 8' sections, thus there must be three joints. The center batten and butt-blocks will be used to mount the deck. Skip carefully fitted these into the battens, and Mike glued the first set in. Notice that the blocks protrude above the battens. This is so when Mike begins fairing, the center of the blocks will not go low.
Mike and Ryan spent the afternoon adding a shim to the airtrap. The battens were purposely left slightly high, thus the airtrap needs to be brought up to this. We ran plywood through the thickness planer to get the desired size (and LOTS of dust). We then glued the right side in place, and most of the left side - and used all the C-clamps!
Dixon spent the day making bracketry and deciding where the water distribution block and oil thermostat (more on that in a later update) would be located, as well as other systems design work.
Early in the morning Mike finished fairing in the deck battens. By Friday all the butt-blocks should be in place and hopefully faired. Decking will begin at the end of this week, or early next week along with cowl work. The deck should be on by the end of the month!
Read MoreThe center punch was custom as Dixon had slightly enlarged the rudder bracket holes. This was done because the original holes were crooked (hard to drill because of the casting). Consequently, we wanted the transom holes to be very precise. Once this was done, David carefully drilled pilot holes, used an insert drill, and finally drilled the final sized holes. This was a very time consuming process, but was critical that it was done properly to ensure the rudder is properly placed and aligned.
Skip Schott spent the day building butt-blocks for the deck. The deck will be put on in 8' sections, thus there must be three joints. The center batten and butt-blocks will be used to mount the deck. Skip carefully fitted these into the battens, and Mike glued the first set in. Notice that the blocks protrude above the battens. This is so when Mike begins fairing, the center of the blocks will not go low.
Mike and Ryan spent the afternoon adding a shim to the airtrap. The battens were purposely left slightly high, thus the airtrap needs to be brought up to this. We ran plywood through the thickness planer to get the desired size (and LOTS of dust). We then glued the right side in place, and most of the left side - and used all the C-clamps!
Dixon spent the day making bracketry and deciding where the water distribution block and oil thermostat (more on that in a later update) would be located, as well as other systems design work.
Early in the morning Mike finished fairing in the deck battens. By Friday all the butt-blocks should be in place and hopefully faired. Decking will begin at the end of this week, or early next week along with cowl work. The deck should be on by the end of the month!
