Mast Step Reinforcement

Considering how thin the mast step is along the bow transom, we thought it might be a good idea to reinforce it with a small oak block. My father cut it, I routed and polished it up. Ready to be mounted.

Building the Nutshell Pram

Puttied up screw holes, polished down the hull and seats with 220 and 400-grit sandpaper, coated the seats in three coats of high-gloss varnish.

Seldom get a good, full-body shot of the boat. Here she is, seen from the prow. Note that the hole in the bow transom supports the painter; a rope tied to the forekeel.

Mast Building: Getting it to fit in the mast step

Spent about an hour and a half whittling it down with a power planer and random orbit sander to get it to fit in the mast step. Next time going to save myself the time by originally cutting the mast about 1/10th smaller than is absolutely needed. Will also help make way for the varnish.

First Sailing Weekend

Making a Stopper Knot

Overhauled the running rigging and launched the Springtide. Had the lake almost to ourselves this weekend, save for seagulls, great blue and green herons, and a noisy band of terns. Temps in the 40's with winds so light it took us two hours to run as many miles.