Almost-A-SCAMP Progress Report #3-4 . . . .

[Charles Brennan]

3-4; 3rd year, 4th month; 28 months in total, on this project. 
Lost track of the number of self-imposed deadlines I've blown past, while building this boat and the Cedar Key Small Boat Meet, looms larger and larger on the horizon. 

Something I've been meaning to check on for a while though, was the trailer tongue weight.
I'll need to get the boat weighed again, after it is fully loaded to know for sure, but it looks like this might well be in the ball park. 
The total weight with a trailer and empty hull was 980 lbs, so 120 lbs is roughly 12% tongue weight; I can live with that, for the time being.
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It all depends on how it tows; I prefer trailers that tow behind me, as stolidly as your average church.

The 2nd solar panel I had ordered came in and I got it all tied together and wired up and once again, dragged it outside the carport in the late afternoon, for some energy measurements.
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So, OF COURSE!!    The Sun promptly went behind a cloud!! 
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But that still wasn't enough to stop an array capable of 200 watts of photo-voltaic energy!! 
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Less than 2 Amps, but I'll take it! 

And every once in a while, when the sun came out from behind a cloud . . . .
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NOW we're talking!!    6.7 Amps is not too shabby for late afternoon, at 29º North latitude!! 
Obviously, I'll need to get better data, by actually taking the boat out and using it.
I'd be lying, if I said I wasn't champing at the bit to take the boat out, data, or no!! 

Managed to put in a few unsightly dings here and there while fooling with the rigging and the Bimini top, so some paint touch-up was in order.
This was also my chance to correct some masking tape bleed-through errors, made during original painting. 
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Like it never happened!! 
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Added a safety cable, in case the motor or mount ever came loose, in traffic. 
You never want to see your motor resting on someone's hood, while looking in your rear view mirror!   
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The reasons for replacing a mounting bolt with an eye nut is more apparent, now.  It will also be a useful towing point for kayaks and what not, in the water. 

With one eye on the calendar,    I next turned my attention to the foam cockpit cushions.
Was too cheap    to buy Sailrite Dura-Skrim patterning material and too impatient to wait for it to arrive, even if I did buy some. 
Instead, I employed a discarded shower curtain for pattern material.
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3M-77 spray adhesive to hold the pattern material against the sides for marking.

Folded and marked corners.
The top and sides are one piece, to eventually attach to a bottom plate of cushion underlining fabric, that drains easily.
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Also had two darts for obtuse angles, where the cushions conform to the gentle curves on the cockpit coamings.
Two right angles, two acute angles, two obtuse angles, and two darts.
GEEZE!!    Couldn't just make a simple rectangle like everybody else, could ya?!? 
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Pattern all laid out.
Next step was to cut it out and trace around it, onto the fabric.
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Used a hot knife attachment on my soldering gun, to melt edges instead of cutting with scissors which would allow the edges to fray, otherwise.
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BTW, got that Sunbrella fabric for 5 bucks, at a flea market. 

Ready for having corners (and darts) sewed shut.
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Traced out the foam onto the cushion underlining material (bottom plate) and cut it out.
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Basted plastic YKK zippers onto both bottom plates.
Don't understand anyone who would use metal zippers on a boat. 
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Decided almost as an afterthought,    to add some straps to secure the cushions.
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By making loops sewn to the underside of the cushion.
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Whose location coincides with bulkheads #5 & #6.
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There's holes in those bulkheads, that I can tie a small line onto and then tie that line on a snap shackle, to quickly secure the loops.
Everything on this boat has to take capsize possibilities, into account. 

Sewed up the cover corners.
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Then sewed the (long!) seams to the bottom plate.
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Ready to turn from inside out, for stuffing with foam.
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Gave myself about a B- on this project;    got a little too aggressive with the darts and it puckered things up, a little. 
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But for a guy who doesn't know what he's doing, and is playing Monkee-See-Monkee-Do from watching competent people on You-Tube, it's a credible effort. 

Looked good enough once installed, though. 
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Next task was making a privacy curtain for the veranda, since I no longer have a cabin, like I did on Urchin. 
Secured to 5 cup hooks on the inside of bulkhead #4, hence the brass grommets.
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Hung in place.  Still need to add some more hooks at the top, so I can roll it up and hang it out of the way, until needed.
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So, am I done?!? 
Well . . . . . 
There's still a tent and mast boot to build, for long-term cruising and lately, I've been unhappy with the way the yard, boom, and sail, stores in the cabin and hangs out too far past the transom. 
I think ultimately, I'm going to need a sail bag that can hang off the mast for road travel and not beat up the sail, at 55 knots.
Parts for that are on order, but that is not going to really slow me down, any more.
I consider that this boat is now basically completed and it could go out, right this MINUTE! 
Or, go out as soon as I can get good weather and a willing wife, (at the same time!)    to christen the Irish Pennant and help launch her.
The next progress report you see from me, will NOT have: "Almost-A-SCAMP" in front of it.
   YAYYYY!!!! 

Charles Brennan

[Frank B.]

Arggh!!!! there is a sewing machine in some of those pictures.  I have a heavy duty sewing machine.  I formerly kept it in the utility/laundry room, but I had to go in there and see it multiple times a day and it caused emotional distress.   So I hid it in a closet. I hate that thing.

I have done a number of projects with it.  A fitted sheet set for the forward cabin bunk; cushion tubes for pool noodles to go on the rail wire in the cockpit; a custom tiller cover that allowed the bracket for the tiller pilot to stick out properly. A few others.

However, I have materials, Sunbrella, sailcloth, grommet kits and tools, etc. to do others.  An anchor riding sail; covers for all the UV exposed bright work; a motor cover, etc. Those materials have been in storage for years, and may end up for decades.  Did i mention I hate that machine.

Glad you are nearly finished, or at least finished as defined in boat building.  It would be nice if you posted periodically how difficult it was, how long it took, and how much pain and suffering you experienced during the process so I will continue to avoid doing that.  Thanks in advance.

[Chris Muthig]

Awesome lookin boat!

[Doug SC]

Impressive work, and a beautiful very well outfitted Scamp. I bet with every nice breeze in your face the urge to sail her is hard to suppress!

[Jim B., CD-25]

I admire your persistence and good work ethic.  And really appreciate you making a photo record and narrating the process.  Congrats on a job well done, Charles! 

[Captain Kidd]

Nice work as usual! And the cushions do look good once in place. I can only imagine the building anticipation of that first launch!

[Riley Smith]

"Am I done?"
.
I haven't accomplished it in over 20 years! There's always SOMETHING that I can do. Lately I don't care much anymore, although the boat is ready to sail. It is a fine boat and I hope you enjoy her to the fullest! You should be very proud.

[Noemi - Ensenada 20]

Did i mention I hate that machine.

Why do you hate it?