The Boat Shop

If you’ve never done it before, adding flotation can be almost mind boggling.  Creating enough buoyancy without encroaching into spaces that serve other areas is crucial.  But we already had that in mind when the interior was laid out.

With the first layer of decking removed we now had ample access to the first flotation area, the space in front of bulkhead #1.

Hey, where's the cream filling?

Ed made a shelf pattern and dropped it into place, at its current placement a 5-gallon pail can be slid underneath the shelf and two more 5-gallon pails can be set in the storage area easily.

Storage Galore

The flotation billet we used is a standard size, 10″ x 20″ x 8′ which is rated for 600 lbs or so (610 lbs but who is counting?) and to fit it into the areas that are necessary modification was in order.  Some quick handsaw work later the pieces were fitting in place quite well.

The quicker you saw, the less squeaks you have to endure

And after a slight adjustment the forward compartment was full

The aft deck area was shaped now that the two layers were bonded to each other and fitted with some flotation of their own.  A channel was installed on the starboard side to accommodate the steering cable and wiring.

Ed likes the view from the aft deck

Flotation with channel

Now with the areas prepped inside the storage locker area and all the material cut for the flotation the time came to sling some resin.  Since the flotation will not absorb or trap moisture the blocks will be held in place with a skeleton style restraint.  Bulkhead #2 was fiberglassed to the hull with 17-08 tapes and the arch was reinforced with a 17-08 tape as well to receive the king plank.  Bulkhead #1 had a double band of 17-08 tapes bonded to it so that when the decking is put back in place everything can be integrated as a single unit to the hull effectively creating a giant backing plate for the mooring bit.  An additional 17-08 tape placed on the underside of the hauling station as well.

Flotation, never want to use it but it's good to have

Safety is no accident.

Reading: Whatever floats your boat