Putting a Lid On

Big Beam Little Beam

Here is a pic of the mast beam with the "king plank" fitted which will join the 2 bridgedeck pieces and form a slight "V" shape to the underside. Richard and I went back and forth on this as I was doubtful 1.5 degree deadrise would make much of a difference. In the end, for a variety of reasons I decided to go with the V shape. I call it the king plank since I don't know the technical term for the center of the bridgedeck timber thingy and it does end up bearing some similarity to the namesake in a teak deck.

I had big plans to deck the starboard hull this week then realized I'd need to complete the mast beam reinforcements. After dry fitting the mast beam, I then realized how hard it was to move around and how nice it was to get it out of the floor space. Of course it does restrict the walkway a bit, you have to duck under the other beams anyway and this one is so low there is no chance of hitting you head on it.

. Naturally, I then rememembered that my little aft bridgedeck "mini" was not yet finished! So another day was spent doing something else but the decks. Maybe next week; I just need to do....... First!

Bridgedeck Headroom?

I needed to dry fit the mast beam to workout the necessary reinforcements to bulkhead #3. (Note to future Vardo builders, fit these when making the bulkhead. but they were not shown on early drawings) Anyway, you can see my dilemma about when to do the bridgedeck as even John is impeded in getting thru the shop. As a side note, I measured the bridgedeck clearance on a Seawind 1160 and it appears the Vardo clearance should be about 50mm higher at comparable loading.

a few pics

I'm having some technical difficulties with my other computers charger and can't upload any of my better recent pics at the moment. I've just finished another Searunner project for a customer, but also making good progress on the Vardo. I know have both aft decks on, the inner small cabin side aft pieces and most of the framing and stringers on the starboard cabin top. I should have the starboard hull mostly decked this week and then I plan to work on the galley prior to doing the bridgedeck as it seems it will be easier to access now.

Beaming

I had thought of carrying on with the bridgedeck now and then working on the decks. The mast beam is mostly done and the other 2 main beams are in and mostly complete. I won't be able to get around the workshop at all with the bridgedeck a metre off the floor. I need to make some more progress on my stack of 9mm ply so I plan to do the forward and aft decks, aft bunk and maybe the head and galley are prior to working on the bridgedeck. All subject to change of course. We'll see how it goes.

It's Gotta Go Somewhere

It's tempting to make as much "big" progress now and save the smaller jobs for later.  But in the end; it all has to get done sometime.  Prior to fitting the port hull aft beam knees, I decided to build this heads holding tank under what will be the sail locker floor.  It will gravity drain overboard or pumpout thru the deck.  When the seacock underneath is open, the tank will be always empty and essentially acting as a giant vented loop with no Y-valve or other pumps required as the head outlet is only plumbed into the tank.

Setting Up

got both hulls inside and leveled up. unfortunately the area with the lowest roof also seems to have the highest floor so less space to work on the cabin top than I had hoped. I also have made up 2 main beams and hope to get one fitted this week prior to another short break. I plan to double check everything with a water level before I fit the beams.