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Launch Day Arrives

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  Without great fanfare, or big audience, an impulsive 1st launch took place, the weather was nice and calm and reasonably warm for late October, so the opportunity was taken. The wind picked up a little later and we were able to give it a good test, it was quick to set up, sailed beautifully, and more stable than I was expecting, all attributes that I was hoping for, and the inspiration for making it. So luckily, worth all the effort.

Mast Complete

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The mast is finally complete and now rigging can begin....... Some a bit temporary for now but will tidy it up when I know it works Virtually ready to launch, just as the weather is turning wintery, maybe a drysuit purchase is required.  
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Finally on the Trolley Unable to source reasonably priced Sitka Spruce, I purchased a used Mk1 Cormorant mast from the classifieds and set about reshaping to somewhere near the Morbic dimensions. It came in at around 7kg when finished.  

Exterior finishing

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Coated with 2 layers of epoxy 2 coats of primer Finished with strip protectors, pintles and drain plug all now fitted. Ready to turn over again, now attentions have to turn back to finishing the mast and boom, and rigging with the nice Jeckell's sail that's been waiting patiently since March, it may even get launched before the winter......we'll see !  

And so on with the paint.....

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  Primed....... .........and painted Fitting out with thwarts, hatches and trim pieces. Rowlock sockets fitted Taken outside to turn back over upside down

Progressing nicely

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A very productive Bank Holiday weekend, nearly ready for paint ! Decks all bonded and filleted, who thought you could build a boat in such small confines? I am definitely getting better at the side step shuffle !! The thwarts are only placed in position, I'll paint everything first then fix them on top, I want to keep them removable for replacement if the soft timber poses an issue. They are made from Abodo timber, light but soft, edged with Sapele, we'll see how it fairs.  

Sparkly gunwales and centre board case

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  I decided to fill the gunwale gap with resin to add a contrasting stripe rather than a timber inlay. Progressing nicely, centre board case fitted, buoyancy chambers painted and seat tops glued down. I decided to go for a removable forward thwart seat as I want to regain floor lounging ability up front. There still seems a long way to go.........