Building Schedule
Suprise suprise we got a call from the designer saying, “I am close by and would like to visit you” – close by means in the Netherlands. After a whole day traveling by train, Cristian arrived and we were able to show him the progress and workshop, while also working a bit on some details of the boat design. It was not only work, we also managed to show some of the beautiful surrounding area and beaches, having beautiful sunny and warm spring weather.
It was very important for us, since it was the first time, we could talk in person about the project and to see the 3D model with all the small details. As usual, there are a lot of details which have to be fine tuned. Seeing the model in 3D and getting a better sense for the space opened some wishes to change, especially from Kerstin’s side regarding the interior. One of the suggestions was to move the head more forward to use the space next to the port side keel sleeve and at the same time getting more space in the galley. The idea was welcomed and Cristian was able to immediately make the necessary changes. Later on we went through the sections one by one as well as deck gear were also some changes were made to improve the handling.
A big part of the time Cristian and I spend in the workshop; checking the planks which are already prepared. Cristian based on his experience and his ongoing strip planking boat project in Italy gave us a lot of tips. We were talking about the materials and finalizing the building schedule. Together we decided that to start with the amas would be the best. Unfortunately the time was over too fast - big thanks Cristian, we know, to get here is not the easiest. But here we go, prepared to fully start building our JoL-Trimaran.
From my previous jobs I learned, and now it proves me right, that preparation is the key to a successful project. Good preparation minimizes lots of headaches and sleepless nights. Of course there will be always unexpected things coming and they have to be solved as you work, but that is for a different topic.
The planks for the amas, we made together since it is a really heavy and repetitive job which takes many hours. We are satisfied by how they came out. We bought pretty sharp sawn wood timber so we decided to not plane the wood but to directly saw the planks. The planks are 10 mm thick, so they are light and the milling of the bead and cove went pretty nice and easy, thanks also to our new power feeder. Yes, we got one profi machine and so far we are very happy with the performance. Not only because it speeds up the work, but also keeps a constant pressure and speed during milling. The result are very nice and evenly milled bead and cove planks.
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| Cut Planks, Bead and Cove planks, Power Feeder | ||
Next step in the preparation work we have done recently is the assembly scaffold for the planking of the amas. Cristian designed a box of 20x20cm as a strong back. I must say it is really strong and stiff. The temporary templates will sit on it. The complete scaffold is placed on sawhorses which I made earlier. I think that was my first wood work in the workshop during the winter. Brr - winter. Everything is in a good position for comfortable work, not too high not too low. We are still working on preparations, amazing how much time and material always goes into the preparation for a job. But, the better the preparation the easier the job.
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| Sawing table, Sawhorses, Scaffold | ||
I didn’t mentioned yet what epoxy we are going to use.
That was also quite the story. We went trough a few proven brands. But ... since we live more in the northern than southern hemisphere, the weather lets say … it’s cold here. We didn’t want to take a chance and eventually compromise glueing and laminating because of low temperature. So, we were fortunate to make a deal for WEST SYSTEM. I have already very good experience with this system. Actually - it works.
It looks like, we can finally start building the amas. Or did I forget something?
Planks done
Scaffold done
Epoxy delivered
Time … I have to ask Kerstin if she has time or if she is too busy with “her” garden. She is very much into it and made a beautiful one with lots of flowers, vegetables and berries to pick from in between.
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| Without words | ||
| Material | Amas - Planking |