After a couple of weekends dealing with domestic issues I was able to get after it again last week. I started off by taking some of the coosa board scraps and attaching them to the sides of the hull with Cabosil to serve as a ledge support for my future deck (an idea copied from Strick). It was a real PITA but after they cured I glassed them in with 1.5 oz matt. This was my first time using matt and wasn't real happy with the appearance but it is rock solid and will be hidden to view after the deck is in.
Not very much work accomplished before I had to go fishing again. This time it was the Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament. It's a real treat for those who may have never participated. Around 500 boats this year which is well off the average but was a blast anyway. The fishing wasn't great and a 42 lb'er took the $40k on Thursday and a 40 lb'er took the cash on Friday. The prize for the aggregate of both days was roughly 62 lbs. This pic is leaving Mayport the first morning. Boats as far as you can see.
Due to the number of boats, you have a predetermined check out on north or south. This is the south side.
Taxpayer dollars at work! US Navy Seahawk helicopters were everywhere as we came back into the mouth of the St. Johns River, compliments of the US Naval Base at Mayport.
For a while I've had thoughts about reusing some of the original forward compartments in different areas during the restoration. While dealing with the larger of the two I found some rotten coring on the bottom of the box that I hadn't noticed before. I'm stripping that to be recored and patching the other hole that had been filled in with caulk and painted.
Another area that I addressed was adding additional layers in the corners of the transom. I'm not looking for overkill but do realize this will see additional stress after I add a bracket.
I used three layers which consisted of a layer of Woven Roven, 15 oz. biax and another layer of Roven to finish this up.
Here is where I need some constructive criticism. This is what I'm thinking, this second panel forward of the transom will leave me approximately 12" of space to house my bilge pumps, washdown pumps, fuel fiter, etc. I will add access hatches and additional structural support to tie it together.
This is a dry fit with one of the original compartments. I need a large fish box and felt this could serve the purpose in a convenient area.
