I'm amazed that I've kept this blog going for as long as I have, but today's post is the 100th since I started. It's become a kind of therapy for me and makes me look forward the next task no matter how unappealing because I know I can write it up and whine about it later. It also makes good reference when I forget about what I did 3 months ago.
So now I'm in the middle of the sort of work I like and the weather has been pretty damn nice. I can sit up on deck in a t-shirt and socks and not freeze or die of heat stroke. I've been picking away at the c ompanionway trim and finally finished it up today. I still have to do the washboards and pull everything off to sand it down, but the cutting work is done. There turned out to be a lot more crazy angles to cut than I expected and that just took time to measure, measure again, and then cut. I also spent a ton of time with my new best friend the Shinto Rasp (see picture). It's the perfect tool for taking material off and provided crisp accurate cuts.
I ended up making another change to the original design where I extended the border trim around the perimeter of the companionway from 1/2 inch to 1-1/2 inches. I think it makes the overall appearance look a bit better. So after spending time lounging in the warm cockpit this afternoon admiring my handy work, I'll pull it all off tomorrow for sanding. Then I'll probably get a coat of varnish on before I put it all back on. At that point I have to choose a bedding compound. I want something that's tough and waterproof, but not 5200 tough. There are few places on a boat where 5200 has a place and bedding trim is not one of them. I haven't done much research yet, but I'm leaning towards Sikaflex 291 but I'm open to suggestions.
I'm amazed that I've kept this blog going for as long as I have, but today's post is the 100th since I started. It's become a kind of therapy for me and makes me look forward the next task no matter how unappealing because I know I can write it up and whine about it later. It also makes good reference when I forget about what I did 3 months ago.
So now I'm in the middle of the sort of work I like and the weather has been pretty damn nice. I can sit up on deck in a t-shirt and socks and not freeze or die of heat stroke. I've been picking away at the c ompanionway trim and finally finished it up today. I still have to do the washboards and pull everything off to sand it down, but the cutting work is done. There turned out to be a lot more crazy angles to cut than I expected and that just took time to measure, measure again, and then cut. I also spent a ton of time with my new best friend the Shinto Rasp (see picture). It's the perfect tool for taking material off and provided crisp accurate cuts. 
I ended up making another change to the original design where I extended the border trim around the perimeter of the companionway from 1/2 inch to 1-1/2 inches. I think it makes the overall appearance look a bit better. So after spending time lounging in the warm cockpit this afternoon admiring my handy work, I'll pull it all off tomorrow for sanding. Then I'll probably get a coat of varnish on before I put it all back on. At that point I have to choose a bedding compound. I want something that's tough and waterproof, but not 5200 tough. There are few places on a boat where 5200 has a place and bedding trim is not one of them. I haven't done much research yet, but I'm leaning towards Sikaflex 291 but I'm open to suggestions.
Looks great!
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