Mississippi River Skiff update: out of the shop

Yesterday we moved the skiff out of the shop onto a trailer with the help of the visiting students.  The trailer came with our 14 foot Rhodes Bantam.  The Bantam is on blocks so we could use the trailer.

The only problem is the length of the skiff.  At 18 feet 3 inches it extends way past the end of the trailer but more problematic is the wheels are too far forward.

Today we are going to set the skiff on the ground and reconfigure the trailer.
We can move the wheels back about 2 feet.  This should balance things out.

Today we are also going to instal the oarlocks.  We found a set of four at the Nautical Consignment shop in Oriental, NC.  They are old galvanized locks that are in great shape.  I was looking for bronze, but  of course this skiff historically was a working boat on inland rivers and would have been fitted out with the most practical cheapest hardware available, so galvanized it is!

Finishing out the interior, then hull priming and paint

MRS update: hull interior

We glassed the sole and decided to install the seat supports before glassing the interior's sides.

Otherwise we would have ended up with secondary bonds on these stress points.

This will make the glass work more difficult but will yield a stronger boat.

Pieces of cherry were cut to the bevel and curve of the hull.

These were epoxied in place to support the two rowing stations as well as the large U shaped rear seat.

For the bow deck structure, we matched the size of the deck Chapelle indicated on the sailing version of this hull.

Instead of supporting a mast partner, this deck is for storage and a platform for sitting or standing.

It will be great boat for fishing.

A bulkhead of fir ply was cut and tabbed in place.

The deck lid will be removable.  This will be a lockable area and will hold quite a bit.

We are not planning on installing permanent floatation.  I would like the boat to look more traditional.  Instead we will have a removable floatation bladder in the bow deck and a bladder attached under the transom seat.

The gunwales are made of black oak.

We picked up a few boards yesterday.  This morning they were cut to half inch strips.  Their height is 1.25 inches.  Two strips will be laminated to make the gunwale on the interior of the shear.  The exterior piece will be cut and laminate later.

This thickness looks right proportionally and will allow enough room for the bronze oar locks.

Transom seat support

Here are the additional strips of black oak for the gunwales.

Bow deck enclosure.  The interior was glassed prior to the bulkhead installation.