Free Surf

Proof, if any were needed, that oil is NOT a good exterior finish, but it was all I had time for.

Likewise, the thin, plywood seats were an expedient that did their job, but needed replacement.




With a bit of work, the transom cleaned up nicely, and finally got the varnish it deserved. I also cut a sculling hole which would have come in handy several stormy nights when I needed to get an extra anchor out safely. Very hard to do without this simple cut. Ill never have a dinghy without one, from now on.

I decided to paint much of the bare wood, leaving just a few bits bright.

I used 5200 to seal the seam between the keelson and the bottom. This really opened up on me because I installed the keelson with the cupping side up. Duh. Hopefully, it wont cup any more, now that its protected.





The rest of the bright bits, with their final coats of varnish drying. I replaced the plywood thwart with a fore-and-aft rowing seat that will let me balance the boat when Ive got a passenger in the sternsheets. Very important in this little skiff.

As soon as the paint dries, Im going to install all the bits and then cut the inwales. If Id had an ounce of common sense, I would have done this before removing the knees and breasthook, but I didnt. Ive got a nice bit of oak that should do for both inwales, and will give me a chance to use my planer for the first time.

More on that later this week, I hope.


Next Episode: Order Counts