One Hour A Day Is The Way These Days
Lil bits at a time
Right after finishing today’s story and before the usual blur of meetings I run down to the Railway and grab an hour or two on the WoodyFloater challenge. You’d be surprised how much you can actually get done in that time. Little bits add up. That’s really the point of this whole WoodyFloater thing: don’t try to do it all at once. Just start small and keep building.
I cut three of these out of some scrap
The trick is being okay with failing. Try again. Walk away. Start over. Like a good pot of spaghetti sauce, it’s always better after a couple of days.
I’ve been watching YouTube videos, talking to local boat folks, and the one thing I’ve learned? Everyone’s got a different opinion. You have to be able to sort through all that noise and just focus. I’m a complete novice here. My tools range from 1920s hand-me-downs to shiny new DeWalts, with parts from Art and random scraps of wood thrown in.
From a previous repair
New wood, and the carrage bolt replaced, this is how it had been repaired before. Like I said, not ideal.
Dry fit first, very nerve racking for me, All new territory on a little speed boat. Somehow its easier on a larger boat. BTW, all the wood was sealed on the back side as well
But honestly, I’m fine with that. I’ve got a “What do I have to lose?” attitude about the whole thing. The real goal is learning and living. So if it’s wrong… who cares? Me? The universe? Some imaginary judges? I’ve played that game before, and yeah, it can be rewarding—but it also comes with anxiety. This way doesn’t. It’s peaceful. It’s like solving a puzzle… one hour at a time.
Bedded in 5200, and the side is repaired and replaced. The 6/10 was used for the chine repair. NOTE: I replaced what was there and did not do the correct way which was to open it all up. This is the never ending strugle to stay on track. Today it will be all dry and ready to sand and prep for the next phase. Plywood!
You didn’t mention the fact Betty is keeping you on track!
She’s yesterdays news Greg
Betty is NEVER yesterdays news!
We want to see how Betty would do it. She looks like quite the craftswoman.
I like your attitude Matt. Your attack is similar to the one I have used for the last 43 years on my log cabin. Interior walls, ceiling and floors are cheap 1 X 8 pine shiplap. Over the years I’ve cut every possible angle, bevel, hole, scribe – many 2 or 3 times. The end result has character, looks great and as we say when it’s not quite perfect “It ain’t no piano”. Additionally, the rejected pieces are excellent kindling for starting the sauna. win – win!
Since you are still working under the waterline I think your approach is spot on, however after what I saw with A’s Majestic I don’t think I will ever use 5200 on the topsides. Just my opinion.
Just keep plugging away Matt, it will all come together…….somehow
Yesterday I liked the suggestions of naming her Betty. But I think that I have come up with the ultimate name, not only for “B” but for ALL of the boats in this challenge. It would be WOODYFLOATER. Yes, you do the graphics and send each participant’s a copy for their boats, so at Dora and forever EVERYONE will know that it’s a Woodyboater challenge boat.
… yeah, pattern, then cut and dry fit everything that looks to be a challenge! After completing some big steps showing real progress, here come the days of small steps where it is difficult to see anything accomplished when you stand back and look at the hull. This is the real world of restoration.
As long as you’re “scraps” keep up with the demand you can look at all as a learning process. But when you start paying for wood, it becomes something different. Then you’ll start feeling the anxiety, as the mistakes pile up in the firewood pile. Is that the remains of a mud nest under the splash rail?
I would have thought you would scarf that chine instead of butt joint to keep the sweep fair, but then what do I know. Soldier on.