Winter hibernation!

Super cold weather and rain, together with the need to save up for the next batch of epoxy has resulted in a winter hibernation for Gypsy Sophia's build. The base of the cuddy seems to be surviving under a rapidly disintegrating plastic cover. Fortunately everything is epoxy sheathed so hopefully no damage done; we'll see when the project awakens. In the meantime, planning continues and we are looking at building into the cuddy a charcoal/wood burning heater. The Dickinson stove below looks like the ticket - a bit pricey but it will fit into the corner of the port-side worktop.

Cuddy base

Winter is a-comin'-in and work has slowed somewhat. Actually, a new order of wood has been made and I now need to save up for some more epoxy. However, a start has been made on the cuddy, and the pictures show the base with one stringer attached. The others will be attached when the next batch of wood arrives. The underside of the cuddy base has been sheathed with glass and epoxy. Once the stringers are attached the base needs turning the right way up. Meanwhile, an assortment of cuddy parts are being cut out and epoxy coated in the shed. The benefit of 'wetting' out the wood with epoxy means that I can wait for a fine day, then bring the part out for assembly - essential for building outdoors. I thought it was a bit mad to do an outdoor build in England, but it is adding to the interest of building by creating an extra challenge!

Cockpit

Another section done! The cockpit needed some scarphing which was great fun as I remembered to sharpen the plane. The cockpit now needs some drain holes cut, an engine nacelle constructing and the whole lot sheathing in glass and epoxy/

Central Mast Beam - Three Sections Made!

The three sections of the mast beam are now complete. Laid out, they give an indication of how beamy the boat will be ... very!
A bit of sanding and a coat of epoxy to keep things dry will complete the work on these for now. Just need to find somewhere to store them.

Mast Beam - Central Section

The first section of the Gypsy Sophia to build is the central section of the mast beam. I am having to get used to working with epoxy again, and in particular making sure I don't mix more that I need at a time - it is far too expensive for that. It's amazing how a few bendy bits of wood become a rigid structure once glued together. An investment in a goodly number of clamps has been well worth it - especially at £2.50 each from Screwfix!

First cut!

I suppose I can't claim to have started building until I have stuck two bits of wood together. However, having cut into the first sheet of plywood is very satisfying. First cut is the mast beam inner ply webs.

The first materials!

The project has really begun now with the arrival of the first 9 sheets of plywood, and 12 litres of epoxy resin. All that remains now is for a bit of cutting and sticking! Watch this space!

The build begins!

"It's a bit square for a boat" my daughter said as she walked down the drive. No comment! However, I suppose it seems strange that the first step in building a boat is to but 4 lengths of 4x2 to construct a flat building platform. The joys of living in Dartmouth!
Anyway - I have finally begun and four years from now it may be finished. Four years(!) you say. Well when faced with a giant task, approach it as you would if you were eating an elephant: a mouthful at a time.