4/4 new panels set down

With all four new deck panels now glued down the next task was to trim off the excess overhanging around the edges. The new deck panels were rough cut to shape - we had deliberately oversized the panels by a couple of centimeters. With the panels all glued in their final position we could now trim the edges back to within one millimeter of their final size. We trimmed the deck edges using a small router with a flush trim bit and a piece of sheet steel to act as a stand-off guard against the hull. The edges will be further finished by hand planing.

Test fitting a trim piece

Testing fitting the old coaming

Three down and one to go

The fourth and final section of new decking was glued down today. Although we use a lot of clamps and weights, the clamps and weights are used carefully so that we down get depressions in the flexible decking sheet. With all the new sections of deck now fixed down the next job will be to trim off excess around the edges and then to plane the edges to make them flush with the underside.

Saga - last section of new decking being glued down

Lots of clamps - but only lightly clamped

Third Section

We have now got into a rythm so today the third section of new decking was glued down. This was the first of the two front sections.

Mixing up the powdered resin glue with water

First front section glued down and clamped up

Second Section

The second piece of decking, this time the aft port panel was today glued down on Saga. We don't have enough weights and clamps to allow us to glue more than a single panel at a time so we are spreading the glue-ups over the weekly visits to the workshop. Having set down the second panel we also trimmed up the forward starboard panel where it will join the already fixed stern panel.

What's Going On Here?

These are dust sheets protecting the new decking on Saga. However underneath these dust sheets we have started gluing down the new decking sheets. The humps and bumps visible in the dust sheet are clamps holding one of the new decks sheets in position while the glue sets. We are a using a more traditional type of wood glue; Cascamite - a powdered resin wood glue. Only three more sheets to go...

Saga

Linda is looking very smart with oars and flooring now smartened up. Linda will also need a dust sheet to keep her looking her best.

Linda

 

A change of location

For a change of scene some of our volunteers spent today working on the dinghy Shamrock which is currently in storage at a separate location. Work is continuing to replace rotten thafts, capping rail and top boards.

Shamrock

Shamrock

Other volunteers were continuing work on Nellie and Linda at another location.

Nellie

Linda

Linda

 

Further trimming

Today both of the aft boards of Saga were trimmed to length. There will be a join in the middle of the boat where the aft and forward boards meet. In preparation for being glued to the hull the aft boards have been trimmed where they will contact the stern board and the forward boards. The sides will be trimmed once the boards have been glued into place.