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#1
The motor mount has progressed from this:
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To this:
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And finally, to this: 
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(1st coat of paint.)  Should make the motor mount look less obtrusive.

Compared to the original black plastic mount:
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Last coat of epoxy on the doubler side.
Still needs white paint around the hatches and graphite-infused epoxy on the ballast tank side.
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And the 2nd coat of epoxy on the lazarette components.
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All that plywood essentially comprises the cockpit sole of the whole boat.
While it looks like there is a lot of blank spaces, I can reach into every square inch of the inside of the hull, with a sponge if need be.   8)
Apparently, water trapped inside the hull, is a Major Fear of SCAMP builders. I believe Doug SC has some experience with just that issue.   :o

And the last coat of paint (excluding touch-ups and repairs) on the hull.
Not too shabby!  ;D
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Although I seem to have a talent for turning perfectly good boats into Swiss cheese, with all the holes I think I need.   :-[
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And with the water line masking tape removed.
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9 out of every 10 Gnats think that fresh EasyPoxy Sea Foam paint, is just DELICIOUS!!  ;D
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That 10th guy?   ???
He's buried between coats 2 & 3, and isn't saying much of anything.  ;)

My  Plastimo Contest compass viewed from the rear, showing the 8-32 nylon screws and nylon nuts, holding it to the plate.
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Front view showing the addition of ¼-20 nylon pan head screws, to hold the plate to the mounting box.
No metal near the compass.
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And with the bezel installed.
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Now, except for gluing the box to bulk head #3 and painting it, (along with the rest of the cabin) I consider that sub-assembly to be done.

An on-going problem coating all this plywood, is epoxy flowing over the edge and making an "epoxy-sicle" on the under side, like so:
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Then it has to be ground off, before the next coat can be applied.  :'(
Since the edges on the underside are going to be taped off, for paint, I decided to put the tape on early, so that when the epoxy drips around the edge, it comes to rest on the tape instead of the wood.
After painting, I can just pull the tape and take the "epoxy stalagmites" with it!  ;D
This should save a lot of time and bother.

First coat of epoxy, on the sole side.
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And the last coat of epoxy for the lazarette doubler side
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First coat of epoxy on the cockpit sole side.
Over-drilled the hatch mounting holes and filled them with epoxy.
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First coat of epoxy on the lazarette cockpit side.
Over-drilled and epoxy-filled for the lazarette hatch.
What's the green tape for?  ???
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Well . . . . . .   :-[
Got a little too close to one edge when over-drilling the hatch mounting holes.
It looks worse than it is, because the doubler underneath sticks out further, since the sole and doublers didn't quite match up when I sawed them.
I can write my name with a saber saw, but only when I'm trying to saw a straight line!  :P
The tape is to create a dam for the epoxy to fill in.
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There is going to be a small storage locker next to the foot well and I didn't want any more hardware on the sole, than I could avoid.
Since the edge is going to have a slight round-over, I did a double round-over on each side in the middle, to make a finger hold to lift the locker lid more easily.
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Since you'd have to be a left-handed, double-jointed, albino Dwarf,  >:(  to mount the bow eye after the deck goes down, the optimum time to mount it, is NOW.
Heavily bedded.
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And cleaned up.
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While I was at it, since the hull and sides are painted, there was no reason not to mount the bow rub rail.
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Anybody that thinks SCAMPS are plowing through the water because of that pram bow, have never looked underneath.

I think a lot of these builders wait until the end of the build to do the detail work and then nearing completion, start drowning in details.
Figure if I knock off any little detail, whenever I get a chance (or if it's too hot to do epoxy, or paint work) I won't get THAT over-whelmed, when I get nearer to completion.
A lot of updates this month, as I took maximum advantage of some really nice weather.
May will probably be a lot slower, as I have some family stuff coming up and the heat will reduce the amount of usable "epoxy hours" available to me.

Charles Brennan
#2
For Sale Boats / 1996 Sea Pearl Trimaran, Stran...
Last post by Ed - Today at 03:17 PM
https://www.facebook.com/share/1JGecVHY9Q/

Hurt my back sailing this past weekend, again.  After 20 years on steel decks followed by 20+ with trailer sailers, it's time. Still planning on doing the FL 120 this year, and my wife won't give me too hard a time for self medicating with Bushwhackers along the route.   
#3
TSBB General Talk / Re: How much do you spend to m...
Last post by Norm L. - Today at 12:52 PM
Yes, warm.
But a weekend in Ocean Springs this summer will be mandatory. With family.
#4
I previously said not much in the way of costs, but there ARE some, and that includes the set of springs I'm shopping for. The labor to put them in is free but must be scheduled. And there is only so MUCH schedule. Not to mention the surprises IN the schedule that you didn't know about until the LAST POSSIBLE MOMENT. Yeah, anyway, it costs some.

Hey, I'm taking this grumpy old man thing to the next level!!!

Lately I've found that the more time I spend in the shop the less time I have to listen to that over-abundance of things that I DO hear. There is music in there too, and when the late afternoon sun streams in and some good rips are  being laid down, life is good. Springs on a small boat are no big deal. WHack 'em off and install. Grinder and sawzall. Floor jack. Got a welder as backup in case there is attachment problems. Listen to the rock and feel the breeze. Summer is coming and the shop work will cease.

Just too hot.
#5
I recently purchased a Potter 15 that hasn't been sailed in many years. I rigged it today and noticed that the boom gooseneck seems to slide down in the mast track further than others I have seen in helpful rigging videos. The gooseneck falls all the way to the cleat below the opening. Is there supposed to be some sort of barrier/bumper in the track to stop it from falling all the way down?

Thank you.
#6
TSBB General Talk / Re: How much do you spend to m...
Last post by Norm L. - Apr 27, 2025, 03:28 PM
No question about that.
Buy a new 18' sailboat at a price well below an old used 18' Boston Whaler.
#7
TSBB General Talk / Re: How much do you spend to m...
Last post by Brian N. - Apr 27, 2025, 09:58 AM
Just last night I was speaking with a friend who has a 24 foot powerboat. Last year (while we were his guests on the boat) the engine stalled, sputtered, and nearly died on the way back from an evening outing (not to mention at the same time his GPS cut out along with his running lights, but that is another matter). Anyway, his 20 year old 150 HP engine is shot, and he decided to replace it. He also needs some trailer work. The cost of a new engine just blew my mind  :o   around 15K. New controls and meters for the engine add a couple of more thousand. A new suit of sails can run a few grand, even for a smaller sailboat, but not what my friend is spending to repower his boat. Hobbies and pastimes can run into some serious money, just don't forget to leave enough for the rent and beer.
#8
South East / Re: Finally Going Cruising
Last post by Wolverine - Apr 27, 2025, 09:30 AM
I failed to mention, this morning we decided to abandon our plans to visit Elizabeth City. Looking at the weather/winds, it would be a rough crossing for 2 old geezers, and we have already been brutalized by the wind and seas. (I have cuts, scrapes, and bruises to prove it)
#9
South East / Re: Finally Going Cruising
Last post by Wolverine - Apr 27, 2025, 09:22 AM
Day 10. Somewhere I lost time. Most days we dont have cell service so keeping in touch with family is difficult. This morning I have 2 bars. There is a small craft warning on the Alligator River this morning, but the winds are to lessen to 9mph out of the north this afternoon. This will allow us a down wind run to the canal where we'll tuck in and inspect my o/b. For now, I'm boiling water for dishes and laundry.

note: the 4-12lb blocks of ice i made are still keeping everything cold after 10 days.

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#10
South East / Re: Finally Going Cruising
Last post by Wolverine - Apr 27, 2025, 09:15 AM
Day 5 we left the docks early only to find the swing bridge closed. I could hear a train in the distance so we waited. The return sail to Bath was enjoyable and we found another DavCTe at the docks to help us tie up. This Dave was sailing a 23' gaff rigged cutter. He too had no specific destination. In the morning we saw Dave off and he quickly put a lot of water between us. We tried sailing, but what wind there was, was on our nose so we motored until the picked up. Temporarily. Several times the wind picked up only to drop again so we motored down the Pamlico River until turning north into the Pungo where the wind obliged to push us all the way to Dowery Creek Marina where we enjoyed hot showers, a fish & chips dinner and an amazing raspberry whiskey drink. Or 2. Yea, it was 2.
Day 7 we traversed the Pungo/Alligator canal. That was a lot of motoring. Once we made the Alligator River, we bTtled another broad reach to the bridge and then to the Abermarle Sound. The southwest winds piled on the waves and we decided not to try crossing the sound, so we started west where the sound is narrower. After 2 hours beating into the chop, we decided to turn back and spend the night on the Little Alligator River. This went well for Chris, but my outboard failed again so was sailing into 3' waves. After 2 hours of not making headway, i tried the o/b and it fired up. I was smartlyoving along when a large trawler's wake, combined with the wind and waves, tossed the stern out of the water. Slamming down, I was thrown into the companionway and the o/b made a horrible spound before stopping. Now the wind was pushinge into the log infeated shallows. I fought this for another 6 hours before finally finding a little shelter. Chris saw what was happening and pulled anchor and in the dark he towed me to shelter behind Big Island. A massive storm was heading our way and lighting was visible in the distance. Some how it went north and south of us, leaving us wind battered, but dry. Windfinder indicated strong north winds arriving at 1am, so about then i choae to pull anchor and sail around to the south side of the island. Water was about 5 1/2' deep very close to shore, but tree debris is everywhere and I didnt want a fouled anchor so I kept a distance. The rest of the night was great. A 55° breeze blew through the cabin and the rocking was minimal.