Shaft Log Repair, Sorry More Deep Fear Thoughts.

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It’s my personal little Halloween.

Cutting the log at an angle. EEEEESH.. The new thought is to cut the shaft sleave for a better fit of the cap

This weekend, okay, and the past couple days before between calls, I would try and build up courage to carve into the Shaft Log on Sweet Pea. This may seem simple to many, but the one thing I am always confident of is that on a wood boat you are always tempting fate in the can of worms dept. AAAAANNNNNNND, With this particular job, if I go to deep, or to far, it would cause more and possibly more unraveling.

Drawing of the newer cleaner cap

The good news is , there is no shortage of lumber, and George is great with advice. Trial and error have been my courage cure. Now I have done the new wood part 4 times, why? Because I am learning, and thats just life as a novice. BUT! The only way to not be a novice is to do.. and do, and listen, and do. Never fear to chuck your mistakes and do better.

I could make these in my sleep now.

A lesson I learned in art school. I spent a week on a drawing. Each little detail. At the time I thought it was amazing. I had pushed myself. And in the end. The lesson the class had was, we all had to rip up the drawing. Cruel? No. It was freeing, And I channeled that feeling and still am working through this Shaft log repair. After all.. One of my favorite quotes is “Action Cures Fear, inaction creates terror.” Thankyou Douglas Horton

Ahhhhh just another day in Woodyboaterville

10 replies
  1. Greg Lewandowski
    Greg Lewandowski says:

    Love the header. What a way to start every day. I think you are serving your boatwright apprenticeship under George and doing well. Wish I could be part of the project!

  2. Cameron
    Cameron says:

    Matt, this blog is getting better all the time. The introduction of the railway and now you working on your boats is really interesting. I had to cut rot out of an 85 year old stinkwood keel and replace it with a bespoke piece, so I can appreciate your anxiety.

  3. John F Rothert
    John F Rothert says:

    It is coming along and lots of upsides to learning. George is there. The railway is there. The weather is perfect for such a project. Mr. B. won’t care if you mess it up. Rock on! That project is the devilish combo of required heft and precision. Been there…done those. Keep at it.

    John in Va.

  4. floyd r turbo
    floyd r turbo says:

    Does that shaft log slide into the new piece of wood you’re cutting or is there a section of shaft log that will slide into this piece to mate up with what we see? With the shaft in place I assume a shaft log seal will be placed on end of shaft log that will extend thru the addition of that shaft log block of wood. Or am I missing something? What do other boats of this size have for shaft logs? This same type of setup? Seems primitive.

  5. Frank@Falmouth
    Frank@Falmouth says:

    At least you have time on your side! Imagine if you were taking up the Railway at a commercial Marina… Having the time to try and then try again may relieve some of the pressure of your task, and with worldwide advice through WB (maybe some good, maybe some not so good) you’ll have lots of options..
    Good luck and I look forward to the continuing saga…

  6. Jim G
    Jim G says:

    The thing about wooden boats. Is they have been for the last 5000 years. Give or take. So its not like its rocket science.

  7. Darthtrader
    Darthtrader says:

    Fit it up, Glue it, lag it down, and drill it from the backside using a Forstner bit with a guide bushing and an extension. Reinstall the shaft bushing and stuffing box. push the shaft back in, and go boating!

  8. Rick
    Rick says:

    Love the last picture of the railway. Can you sneak up the water
    tower at night and paint a “Home Of WoodyBoater” banner up there? At least photoshop it.

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