Reliant as built by Jim Benge
14 May 99: The bulkheads, frames, stem are set up on building form.
14 May 99: The keel was built with pressure treated lumber, laminated with the West Systems epoxy, then carved to shape with a chainsaw, saws-all, skil saw, and much planing and sanding. After shaping, the keel was fiberglassed. Then the ballast keel blank was cut out and prepared to be shipped to the foundry. The remaining keel was shaped to fit the backbone, (which is hanging from the ceiling joists), and set aside until the hull is turned over.
20 May 99: Close up of white oak floor timbers attached to backbone (lower left corner). The main timber in the photo is laminated to a bulkhead and notched for the stringers. The first timber on the port side is dry fitted in place.
20 May 99: Standing on backbone, looking aft. This shows the floor timbers rough cut and notched for stringers. First stringer is dry fitted.
20 May 99: Looking up at the white oak floor timbers, clamped to the backbone, and laminated to the adjacent bulkheads.