the cardboard formers will be forwarded to my mate Kevin who is the proud owner of a new laser cutter

while i am waiting i have made two leeboards and the rudder the keel is going to be made next

this is going to be a long build to see me through into next year

Keep your powder dry 👍

the ply ribs have arrived i have spaced them out on the keel not a lot being done over the bank holiday

cabin & hatches made still a lot to do

the motor has been installed along with a drum winch for the sails i have fitted a 2.4 kg 1 mtr yacht bulb for ballast
(i will post more pictures later)
most of the deck fittings are in place i have started on the masts the biggest job will be of the sails

the keel can be removed the only crew on board is the ships cat

up to now the leeboards & rollers are finished i am busy with the fiddly deadeyes 🤔
so far i am pleased with the way it is looking

a few things have been mentioned about my build
ie the rig is not as it should be the reason being i lost the index finger on my right hand so to be able to de rig it is easier to use bowsies with me it is a case of suck it & see
I have decided to have the sails made by Mastman he does a lot of barge bits
I have more or less copied the build from plans for the Celia Jane but me being me i tend to deviate to suit my needs
I served my time in shipyards on both the Tyne & Wear i became a shipyard manager in Swan Hunters and the last three frigates built their were what we called as built we worked from schematics not drawings no two ships were the same 🤐

I am just waiting for the sails from Mastman then i can complete the build
I have changed the drum winch for a standard servo i extended the arm it gives more pull on the sails seems to work better time will tell
like all my buddies i am thinking about my winter build i am torn between a hovercraft or a smaller barge i will probably end up doing both 😉

I have received the sails from Mastman and started attaching them looking forward to next season when the weather is warmer the old bones don't like the cold anymore 😱

wishing you all a merry Christmas and fair weather sailing in 2018👍

the sails are all attached and working fine it is on display in the conservatory
roll on the good weather 😎