The custom build continues; A photo update.

[Fortunate One]

Paul and Mac,

There comes a time when it seems like not much is getting accomplished but things are getting done. However most of the progress doesn't lend itself to photos. For example I was there last Saturday while one of the electricians was pulling and bundling wire. He was doing a great job and the wire bundles were perfect once he secured them but I didn't want to bother him to move so I could take a photo and I didn’t think anyone would be interested in a photo of the wire bundles.

The brain and wires for the engines have been connected and run up to the helm area but once again, it’s not worth photographing.

They’ve begun fiddling with the steering system but that’s just now starting since they decided it was best to concentrate on plumbing connections to the sinks and thru hulls.

The cabin has been in a constant state of paint and varnish and it's difficult to take photos of those areas because they are either knocking down the last coat of varnish or it's been protected from overspray as the white paint gets re-applied.

The head has been getting faired with the hope of getting final paint next week and the crew is boxing out the bulkhead to deck connection at the day bunk area so it matches the forward cabin where that detail was made to conceal the plenum for the air conditioner.

I was there this morning expressing my frustration with the slow progress and another missed deadline, but I really can't complain because the electrical and AC work is now running ahead of schedule. All we’re really waiting for now is the bait freezer to show up and the helm deck drink box so they can be plumbed to the refrigeration systems. Once those 2 pieces are installed then the refrigeration units can be mounted in their respective locations and then the dry risers can then be installed.

The interior doors are being built which are coming along great.

So what's happening at the moment is they are focusing on finishing the paint in the cabin and while that's a timing thing the crew is jumping on a lot of small projects that need tending to for example, Bill is just finishing up building a teak grate insert for the shower. Margery is laminating the radius top door frames and John is detailing out the cabin when he's not spraying. So there's a fine dance going on that also involves application of varnish to the toe rail.

So as far as pretty pictures well they're hard to get these days with access restrictions and knocking back of paint and varnish for the next coat.

It's funny because I go there one evening to take a look and the interior areas that require varnish are beautiful. I return the next day for a meeting and its all sanded back. I make it by a few days later, the bright work is covered and the paint has been sprayed. So there's been a lot of OOOOOO’ing and Ahhhhhh'ing going on but not a lot of downright WOW!

Most of the photo’s I’ve taken have been documenting areas that are getting closed up.

I do have a couple of recent pictures that may tide you over until I can really get some decent shots.

Head Liners were going in.



I was walking from the stem to the stern and I stopped just to admire her bottom, just contemplating how she’ll ride.
Just running your hand under that reverse chine spray rail is enough to make me smile.

Amidships.


Wires and floor protection.







Toe rail getting a 2nd coat of varnish. Not the best pictures of it since the dust from sanding apparently has been flying like crazy.








Exhaust trim ring.

[nabeelah]

Hi Mike,
Phenomenal workmanship!! Keep it up mate,it isnt far away now.

[Questsportfishing]

she looks kinda sexy and beefy now that she is getting her make-up done .. nice boat kid.. the craftsmanship is great. what brand epoxy do they use?

[mac86]

Fortunate One,
I know what you mean about seeing no progress but still a lot being done.
Must be itching to get her wet by now.
I still cant believe all the thought and detail that went into this build.

Thanks for the pics and I'll keep checking back for more!

[Fortunate One]

Thanks for the kind words DR and Mac.

I'm itching so bad to splash her that it's becoming unbearable.

Quest, she’s been done with West System epoxy.

I seem to not be able to stay away. I wanted to see how the final paint turned out in the master cabin and I can finally say it's finished. It just so happened the guy that applied it came by too since he was curious. I would have taken a picture but all that would have been seen is White. I'll take a photo later this week when the last coat of varnish gets applied to the side walls and cabinet fiddles.

Another coat of varnish was applied to the toe rail with only a few more to go. Although Dave says "There's no such thing as a final coat of varnish".









Not to be out done, the gunnel board received another coat of varnish too.



The day bunk room or the kids room as my wife refers to it as, has also seen the badger brush this week.



I opted for a tilt wheel set up and the guys mocked up a 16" wheel to see how I like the fit. I like the idea of being able to position the wheel straight up vertically or horizontally as it is in the photo.


Not so sexy to most but I'm liking it a lot are the wire runs down the starboard side. Perfectly placed and not rolled over each other like spaghetti. I can easily trace a wire with this set up.

Perfection right down to the wire looms.
For those that never seen this set up before, there are covers that clip over the wire runs to make a smooth clean appearance.






Every person that’s been involved with the vessel has strived for perfection.

I was at the shed with a guy who owned a commercial fishing fleet. So as one can imagine the guy knows boats.

He's retired now from as he put it; he stumbled across a case of good fortune. Anyway he himself is a master at wood working and he knows boats like not too many people that I know.

He was all over this boat. He was amazed at the quality of the craftsmanship.

[JD5652]

She's certainly coming along great....that's a mighty fine varnish job for sure....I've spent a few hours with a badger brush in my hand but can never come close to that level of workmanship.....

As an electrical engineer in the nuke industry...I think the wire looms are sexy.....nice to see care taken on a detail what most would consider mundane....

[Fortunate One]

James,

I couldn't get the varnish to look that nice either. It looks nice in the pictures but it is really getting that deep look that just can't be captured by the digital camera.

When I was in the service repairing communication equipment on assault and command vehicles I use to take pride in running wire like these guys so I appreciate what they're doing.

But then again, that's why there on the project.

[clt_capt]

Great Wiring work is definitely an art form. But it is just another First rate touch. The effort up front is minimally more, but definitely worth it in the long run.


Absolutely first class all around

[SteveK]

Hi Mike,

The pictures are beautiful, but they really can't capture the detail of seeing it up close and personal. In a sense, it will be sad to see this beautiful piece of workmanship be complete and leave the shed. On the other hand, this workmanship and detail is unlike anything I've seen in recent years. As beautiful as Stradivarius will be when she is done and sitting in her element, that last picture reminds me that she will definitely fit the description of a "wolf in sheep's clothing". Those two 900hp Yanmars are going to be something to hear when you fire them up for the first test run up the bay! She's looking great!

SteveK

[N2theBlue]

don't be afraid to take pictures of the wiring! those of us who know appreciate the importance of easily traceable wiring. 15 wires all black and red and twisting is enough to drive somebody crazy! that is a beautiful boat and if i win the lottery one day i may be able to come close to it! Love it, more photos of all steps please!