Mike B 1

The bridgedeck floors are now complete and the transom steps well underway. The steps are curved and cover the top of the rudder tube as I'm setting up for hydraulic steering. It's looking pretty good so it may be of interest to some of the builders.

The first hull was glassed and rolled by February 2005. I had a 6 week delay due to a minor operation which was really frustrating but couldn't be avoided. The second hull finished & rolled by August 2005. Not a bad effort I thought as I have a full time job (50 hours a week) and spent all of July overseas.

As of November 2005, I've installed and glassed the bridgedeck floor and have just about finished the transom steps. I've decided to go with curved steps which I think are aesthetically appealing. I plan to install hydraulic steering with twin wheels, each side of the bridgedeck door.

Next projects are to glass the floors in each hull and start on the cockpit seating.

Being a partner in an accounting practice, we are duty bound to pretty long hours. Having said that, much of my spare time is with our boat building project. My experience has been limited to a number of house renovations in the past, where carpentry skills are best described as "experienced amateur". As with others, I am prone to the odd mistake but most things are fixable.

Wood and epoxy where my first choice because it is what I felt most comfortable with and I couldn't justify the cost of a fibreglass kit. I purchased one near complete Easy hull and all materials from Paul M who had sadly passed away. I moved the hull to Dalby in June 2004 but didn't start work on the boat until October 2004 as I had to move house to find a site large enough to build a big shed. Moving house was the first of many compromises but the end result will be worth it!

My advice to prospective builders would be, it's a big project but if you've got the dream then give it a go. There is lots of great reading material about and Peter's plans are pretty easy to follow, even for first timers like me. Don't be put off by the size of the project, it's really just a series of smaller jobs that are just done in sequence. You need to be realistic though, both about the time you have available and whether you are the sort of person, or have the desire deep down inside, to see the project through to it's completion. As for me, so far so good!

Between the Chrismas break 2005/6 and the very hot weather (about 8 degrees hotter in the shed), progress has been slower than I would have liked. Bow lockers have been completed and ready to glass. The cockpit seats have come along pretty well and I am ready to finish them off shortly. Had to scratch my head a few times to get the angles right but I'm pleased with the end result.

I've also done the cabin sides/windows which was easier than I'd anticipated.

I'm putting the galley in the main saloon area as I inherited an oven and I couldn't get it to fit properly in the hull (I've got a fridge to go in as well). This has resulted in the steps into the starboard hull being moved forward about 600mm.