Early  Construction  Photos

Starting off I had to draw out full-size top, profile and sectional views of the hull form.  From the sectional views I could get the measurements for the temporary plywood forms to build the hull around. These pieces of junk ply were torn out after the ribbands and steamed oak frames were installed.

Steaming the 70 white oak frames was done in a 12' long tank of boiling water over a 12' long fire.  One only has approximately 30 seconds of time to bend/clamps the limp pieces onto the form before they would cool & stiffen up.

The photo to the right shows the start of the interior superstructure.  The 1" thick main bulkhead runs completely from the bilge to the cabin top.  That plus the door will create a water-tight seal between the forward cabin and the main salon.
In case the vessel rams a hole in the forward part, I am hoping that this seal will buy me enough time to either patch the hole or prepare for rescue.

The photo to the left shows the first coat of epoxy and cloth.  

Several coats will seal the top and create a fiberglass over wood boat..

First day outside.  Elsa finally feels the sun, wind & rain,, and has no hatches!  That didn't worry the passer-bys as much as the numerous holes in the hull.

(I reused the cedar planking off of another boat at the marina that was going to be destroyed.  The holes came from where the old fasteners had been.)

I had to lean the boat over to lay the fiberglassing.   Here you can see the 5/4" white cedar strips.  Each are nailed to one another using 70- 2 1/2" barbed bronze nails using resorcinol glue, and fastened to the frames with 36- 2" bronze screws.  Each strip took 3 hours apiece to install.

I was living aboard at this time and slept with the mattress on the hull side.  This interior photo shows the crazy angle that visitors enjoyed!

Elsa is fully fiberglassed and painted.  It's April of 1980, and finally ready for launch.
Now everyone is wondering if she will float!