Thanks for all the welcome backs, guys!.
toypusher wrote:What's going on with the Crab???? Maybe you should start a new thread about that, though. Some folks are touchy about HIJACKING a thread!
Good point:
I don't want to hijack a thread about a dead cat, especially since I loved Powder's post in the first place. But hijacking a thread about a dead cat toward the subject of TD construction is STILL considered hijacking, right?
I suspect Powder won't mind too much if I digress just a LITTLE here, though. He's too pissed off about the snow right now anyway, but he shouldn't feel too bad about it:
I don't have a garage either, and I lost at least 75% of the summer "building" weekends here in "sunny" south Florida because of rain. (Just ask Woody.) And I had the same concerns about water damage, though it turned out to be "mostly" cool. (Just throw some buffalo hides on the roof and you're covered.)
Since Wilma last month, nothing much has been done to the Crab except that I'm 75% complete with the tongue box. I built it at home (Crab is at the boatyard), and although I took real careful measurements, you all know my construction skills pretty well:
This box is going to be FULL of surprises when I'm ready to mount it next week! (I still can't figure out how the heck to do the lid, so maybe we should consider it 50% done.)
Doors are all complete, and I just have to do some edging/trim work there. The photo below is the latest, although since it was taken, I now have the door pull-handles on. (Large antique black wrought iron.)
Most of you have already seen this photo, where the tongue jack was knocked back during the storm. And most of you also know that I defied all conventional building and did my doors differently. Aside from using standart Tee-hinges, when sleeping in the TD, my doors lock with interior slide bolts. When outside, pirate locks will be used on the exterior slide bolts.
I also now have a 6 by 16 feet bamboo tiki rolling "fence," which I'm going to use on the interior roof, because I'm not thrilled with how that side of the birch ply took the varnish. I also have a little water staining around the interior vent flange, and don't ask me why. I thought I had really sealed that mother well using that 3M marine stuff (can't remember the name), but I guess I DIDN'T do such a good job. I subsequently used another roofing material to seal that exterior flange. The tiki fence will be a nice interior fix, look great, and really go with my theme--if I can cut it cleanly. Rope will be used for interior corner molding.
I originally bought that fence (60 bucks, new on eBay) to use on top of the HATCH skin, but then came up with this idea. I think I may have enough to do both, but I want to get a good look at everything together before attaching anything. Staples should secure it pretty well.
Finally, I'm getting a big bonus in my paycheck this Friday, so I'll be able to order my electric panel. Marine grade, 120V only, a hundred and change, but wow--am I ready for it. Brings me to the next building level, you know? I already have my interior lights and porch lamps, and man, are they COOL!
Anyway, glad to be back--and looking forward to you guys seeing me through to completion. I think I'm looking at a few weeks more of work before starting on finishing out the galley. Woody told me there's a Florida gathering Feb. 10th at Little Talbot State Park and another March 12 near Sugarloaf Key. It would be real nice to make it to them, even if the galley isn't finished.
Hope you stick around for a wile 
by Larwyn » Tue Nov 29, 2005 6:30 pm 
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