Classic Australian Wooden Power Boat Association

Finally (bloody finally!) I've finished the framing on the foredeck. It has taken forever but the frame is complete and faired in. Needs to be sealed then covered up with bilge paint, in areas which are not to be glued. A few more silicon bronze screws too. I will then my attention to the deck frame aft of the front seat.

Such nice work Bob

Good progress there Bob. It looks great.
I wouldn't say "finally". You're miles ahead of me with the Seacraft.

The mission today was to start on the rear deck frame. I thought that I'd knock out the handful of split pieces and replace them. That was the plan, but by the time I knocked out the defective timber and I discovered a bunch of up wobbly joints.... in 45 minutes the whole rear deck frame was off! There are too many simple butt joints for my liking. I've cut and dry fitted the first of two replacement deck beams. The rear deck frame should be a lot quicker than the front deck frame. Also, with the frame off, it will be easy to paint the bilge and repair the engine bearers.

The rear deck is mostly framed. To finish the framing I need to remove the transom and fit a new piece which picks up the aft end of the deck battens, on the top of the transom frame. There has been some rot in the frame so the only fix for me is to replace the timber. Not a difficult choice as the mahogany on the transom is cracked in through the middle and split all the way through to the left of the exhaust hole. This the transom was fitted by the previous owner in Wantirna.

Great progress Bob.

Love your work Bob, I like that timber too, just looks right.

Oh dear, look what I've done now! Pulling the transom off didn't go as easily as I had hoped. It was very well attached to the frame. LIke very well! From here some finesse is needed with the multi-tool to separate the remaining transom mahogany from the bottom planks and side planks which I definitely want to leave intact. I want to keep the bottom of the frame and both sides of the frame, but will replace the 3 vertical pieces and the two pieces across the top.

The transom boards are off and revealed the frame was in okay condition. The frame on the sides is in good condition apart from some rot in both inwales at gthe ends. The three vertical boards will be replaced as will the exhaust outlewt panel. The bottom frame is a little worse for wear with some minor oil and water ingress but I reckon that it will be okay with a a clean/scrape than lots of Evadure. If this frame isn't up to holding fasteners then it will have to come out and that means releasing the fasteners from the bottom planks being released, which I'd prefer to leave intact. There are two framing pieces across the top to support the aft end of the deck and the top of the transom plank. Both have minor rot in the ends and are now removed and being used as patterns.

Ahoy Skipper Chivs. Just checked and I've got 51 pages to lodge before I catch up to you!