So I have got to the end of what I am now calling phase one, that being the end of the summer and entering the winter break. I am heading south just like the birds for the warmer climate. I’ll be in Lagos, Portugal, from the 1st of November until the start of February. Therefore, boat building will be put on pause for a wee while. I contacted a group called the Lagos Navigators and while I am in Lagos hope to get some sailing in and also work on some boats so that I keep up the learning side of things.

Anyway, where have I got to with the boat? Well, all frames are completed and they are awaiting a jig to be built to sit proud. I would have liked to be further ahead and had the jig up with the frames before I left for Lagos but, as I have mentioned previously, a lot of time has been spent not only learning new things but finding out the new things I needed to learn. I just didn’t know what I didn’t know. So, loads of stuff learned through asking the right questions to the right people. The build community has been great, and those who have gone before me on this journey have had time for a newcomer and have helped greatly. I have made a few mistakes, but like the song says, ‘too few to mention’ and all fixable. Nothing that has caused me to abandon ship, as it were! So, all in all, I leave for Portugal and my winter break fairly happy and content with where I am in the process.

Calculating hours for the build has been very difficult as I spent a lot of time looking and wondering what to do next. But if I were to calculate the work time, I would say I have worked on the boat about 250 hours; this includes research and thinking time.

The frames are all pictured below. All ready for their jig.

The transom frame (T) I have not glued the plywood sheet or coated with epoxy, as I want to attach the frame to the jig, then attach the plywood sheet after I have put the stringers in place. This will allow me to run the stringers past the transom frame (T) and then cut to fit. One of those things I didn’t know I didn’t know ;).

For frame D1 I used oak for the keel support. This was 20×60 oak planks laminated to make a 60×60. I did this as it will give it the strength it needs but I also found it difficult to get the oak at 60×60. I had a lot of discussions on what timber to use for mast support. I was under the impression from some that it had to be oak. However, Bruce Lyle (Canadian builder No 133) pointed out this was not the case and gave examples. He used Douglas fir. I contacted Janusz, the designer, and he confirmed it did not need to be oak. Therefore, I used laminated Douglas fir for the header and Douglas fir for the posts.

I don’t think there is much else to say about the frames that others have not already said, so I’ll just leave it at that and say Bom Dia!