Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Thwart install.

This happened over a long period of time, but I thought I would present it in order.

First I cut the thwarts to fit.  I used a compass to scribe the curve just based on what looked ok to me.
 Thwarts in place.
 


Both front and back got a good coating of epoxy.  I decided not to bother with trying to paint the underside before installing as I would have needed to tape out the areas where it would be epoxied to the support frame. So instead I coated the top with a couple of coats of epoxy,


 and then did the same to the bottom.  While the last bottom coat was still curing I epoxied it into place.
I swear, those weights have been the handiest things. I didn't get a pic of it, but when I did the rear thwart there was no place to put clamps except along the front edge, so I used about 150# of weight to hold everything down.

I drilled a couple of holes in the center thwart. My plan is to use this to tie a mainsheet block to the thwart.  


Many small boats have a block fixed to the centerboard case at this location. 

Not my boat. image source: http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?29139-Nice-to-get-out-sailing-first-sail-of-the-new-season
The trouble with this set-up is that if you're going to row you're going to get your groin regularly smacked by the stand up block.  I'm going to try it initially with just lashing a block in place using a carabiner and some line to make a snatch block sort of configuration.  When I want to row I can just unclip the block or untie the line.  If I want a more stable configuration I figure I can fix a block (maybe an integrated block and cam cleat) to a piece of ply that bolts into place with some wingnuts.  Oh, the joys of fiddling to make it just what you want.

Then, of course, it all got painted.





2 comments:

  1. Looking good. Any luck on finding a trailer?

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  2. Haven't looked too much. I have to get a hitch installed first.

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