After the hull had dried from the extensive deep water trials the next step was to lengthen and finalize the shape of the keel. This is where thanks to a lifetime of Crackleport family hoarding the ideal piece of wood could possibly be already in stock. Rather a large stock I may add.....all stored at my Dads old workshop. What rich treasures he left.....and mum still about to guard it! A piece of old wardrobe to the uneducated but to the knowledgeable a premium, reddish-brown hardwood. Mahogany is it's name. Highly valued for furniture, cabinetry and boatbuilding due to it's exceptional durability, stability, straight and fine grain.....Awesome, just what we need!!! Cos we're building a ship of sorts.
More gorilla glue and clamping followed. 12 hours later shaping could resumed with the flap disc fitted angle grinder. No plans....no set squares... just using rack-of-the-eye. Good job my racked eye can see through fine sawdust. Clouds of the stuff wafting down the street. What a shape lay in wait though, just a case of slowly, slowly, grindy, grindy. At the rear we have a whales tail shaped water deflector....and the main keel finished looking as curvy as the best female curves you've ever seem....so smooth too. (Explaining female curves for the under 35s- From a time back when doughnuts and Big Macs weren't invented and Apron Bellies flopped over jean tops wasn't a fashion statement.)
The whales tail easily swept into a brass rudder, with the mounting axle going through a brass tube which exited on deck. Workshop supplied brass too I may add. Been in stock maybe back to Grandads time. Soldered with an old skool copper iron and fluxed with Bakers Fluid No3. Just like he would have done.
Pictures of progress below...Keep looking in and checking out the build of 'A Yacht Called Cats Paws'. Built from Bit's and Bob's and no safety net.
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