Sent: 10-31-02
Subject: Squirt Update
Barry:
I've attached three photos. Feel free to use all or none. I'll send you one final photo of the Squirt in the water when we launch.
(10-15-02) Third and fourth coats of varnish have been completed on the hull, deck and windshield. Presentation coats are terrific thanks to the book "Brightwork" by Rebecca J. Wittman. To this point, about 103 hours of actual project-work time.
(10-17-02) Spent a few hours cutting and trimming the polished aluminum that will be fitted to the bow.
(10-18-02) Applied waterline tape. (half hour.) Attached half-round wood trim pieces using stainless steel paneling-type nails then ground down the heads to make flush with the wood. Applied the half-round stainless steel to the sheer using brass screws. Attached the stainless hatch trim to the curve at the transom, also using brass screws. Both are extremely good looking and sharpen the appearance quite a bit.
(10-19-02) Today was a trim day. Everything from the bow medallion to the bronze cleats, from the hatch handle to the brass hinges went on. Struggled a bit with the anchor light base, but everything else went quickly and easily.
(10-20-02) Upholstery. Day 1. Used two-inch foam and marine vinyl for the seat bottom and seat back. Same vinyl and waterproof batting for the hatch bolster and cockpit surround. I thought the windshield was tough. The seats were quick and easy but the bolsters were a nightmare. Ripped them out twice.
(10-21-02) Upholstery. Day 2. After redoing the bolsters for a third time, I'm reasonably happy with the results. I may revisit this at a later date. We'll see.
(10-23-02) Cut and shaped and painted two grab handles for the radiused section of the cockpit. A good place to tie-off the line after launching so it's easy to tie up when you return.
(10-24-02) Turned the flag mast on a lathe from a 1-1/4-inch dowel. (About half an hour.) Stained and varnished.
(10-25-02) Drilled a hole in transom for the speedometer tube and attached the water sensor pickup. (20 minutes.) My wife (The caulking queen) caulked all of the seams (about two hours) while I primed then painted the half-round wooden trim pieces a flame red (about an hour).
(10-26-02) Second coat of red on trim. Windshield glass clips installed. I thought this was going to be hard and it wound up being a snap.
(10-31-02) The last few days have been spent cleaning up the
final bits and pieces of the Squirt. From installing the fire extinguisher in
the hatch cover to touching up nicks in the varnish or paint, to picking out
just the right fenders (knotted rope. Very cool.) to installing brass screws on
finish washers to the bow's aluminum trim piece and painting the fenders of
the used trailer green to match the bottom. It is now done. Total hours
actually spent on the boat: 139.5 (excluding standing around scratching my
head wondering how to do something or just admiring my handiwork).
The trial run will be in a couple of days and then it's back out of the
water so the sheriff can inspect the boat and certify it's seaworthy. Then
I can get my registration numbers and I'll be totally legal.
This has been a fantastic project and my deepest thanks to
everyone at Glen-L for encouragement, direction and just being available to
answer what sometimes must have seemed to be silly questions.
Best regards,
Art
