Classic Australian Wooden Power Boat Association

Bob, your workmanship and eye for detail are second to none. Nirvana is going to be stunning

Today I laid the tape either side of the grooves in preparation to squirt in a bead of Sikaflex mahogany. There's over 220m of tape there on the deck. After the Sikaflex is laid, the tape comes off, then 3 more coats of varnish go on. Block and then lay the tape again for high gloss white enamel down over the Sikaflex. Finally, remove the tape block & final buff.

Well applying ther Sikaflex to the "seams" was an interesting & messy task that seemed to go quite well. Although I've left the tape on today, I will peel it off in the morning. However, I did cave in to impatience/curiosity and take off just a few lines to see what the final result looks like & I'm very happy. For me this is unchartered territory but the plan is to let the Sika set for 48 hours (100% cure is 7 days) before blocking the deck again and applying coat #7 of varnish with #8, being the final coat, going on either Saturday or Sunday with the white lines going on a day or two after that.

Looking good Bob
Lots of work but it will look good when finished.

That kind of detailed work would drive me nucken futs, Again, i bow to your mastery of detail!

Pulled the tapes this morning & it all looks pretty good. Not perfect but it will be interesting to see how it comes up once the white enamel goes on. Also put a new bush into the skeg & lastly rebuilt the fuel pump.

Coat #7 on the deck today, #8 & final goes on tomorrow.

Yeeha .... eight coats of varnish on the deck and five on the sides. I'm done with the roller & tipping brush. Move on tomorrow to block the deck then tape up for the white stripes.

Great work Bob. Sea trials next week at this rate.

Coming up a treat Bob.