Can you really call this progress? Apparently, you can. I have been continuing to work on removing all trim so that I can access and assess the structural members of the boat. Actually, looking back at my last update, I have done quite a bit.
I probably already complained about the ringshank nails but indulge me– they are still are massive pain but I have at the very least developed a technique for torquing their heads off. Drill with a 5/64″ titanimum bit. Follow up with a 7/64″ bit. Repeat endlessly. It works best with two corded drills:
When I last updated, I had basically finished removing the fiberglass sheathing from the upper sections of the hull:
To jog your memory, this is what the interior of the boat looked like before I began disassembling it:
I removed all of the mahagony trim and started removing the the cockpit planking beginning at the aft area of the starboard side:
I worked my way forward. I removed the flotation and have been breaking off the remaining nail shanks flush with the wood and then sanding the inwales, for my sanity as much as anything else:
I’ll try to reuse whatever pieces I can salvage both to save some money and to pad my green credentials. Here is what the starboard side looked like once I finished with it:
Since this photo was taken I have also completed this process on the port side. Now all that is left is to remove the forward deck, complete opening up the rear bulkhead and remove the sheathing below the waterline, at least where the frames are located so I can access the nails holding in the frames. That way I can begin replacing all of the frames. I figure I might as well since I have the boat apart.
Soon, I’ll be at a point where I am starting to put things back together again. I can’t wait to turn that corner . . . .
your project looks to be coming along nicely ,very jealous wish i were doing it ! really like how you have been showing it in steps .ive built a few canoes . And have always wanted to do a prioject like this .please keep the pictures coming !