There’s the rub

(first published 3rd June 2005)

Thought I was running out of corny titles did you?

The past three days have all been spent on the keel band and bilge runners. They're of English red oak and although not very thick they're almost tough enough. The most difficult bit was around the centre plate opening. I originally intended to make the whole keel band in one piece, but it was just too complex because of the original shape of the hull (it went up and down in the middle like nobody's business). So there are separate pieces each side and fore and aft of the opening. It's all held together with SP Systems best Epoxy Resin so it ain't gonna fall apart. The photos show it and the bilge runners finished and coated with epoxy. The next job (which may get done before the end of the day if the showers stop) is to undercoat the outside of the hull. Not long until we turn it back over for the finishing touches.