Building ‘Sharpy’ Part 56

Before spring clean

After spring clean

British Summer Time began on Sunday 27th March when we put our clocks forward one hour. That gave a distinct advantage for boatbuilding because there was an additional hour into the evening when I could see what’s what. I’ve certainly felt the benefit over the last week since moving the hands of the clock forward. Officially it’s summer time, but for me it’s been a day of spring cleaning in the garage. I can now see the boat, because rubbish that had accumulated during the winter has been sorted and ditched into respective bins: paper, card, and metal in the recycling bin; used vinyl gloves, old rags, resin-encased milk cartons in the non-recycling bin; wood shavings and small offcuts in the green waste bin.
I also found time for applying a second coat of resin to the wooden parts of the keel.


Tomorrow I’m not going to have a great deal of time for working on the boat and what to do next has yet to be decided. I cannot drill holes into the starboard keel weight because I cannot be sure what fixtures will be used to attach it to the keel. Ron Cannings has agreed to make the parts, and when he has done so, I can drill the holes with confidence. The rudder yoke and the keel box are the most likely candidates for my immediate attention. I shall need warm, dry weather for shaping and attaching the bottom of the boat. I shall not be able to fit the decks until all the internal parts have been made and fixed in place.