Part 7

 Remember the keel weights? Cast and shaped they await attaching in position. This is exactly what is about to happen now. The bottom of the keel had already been cut with a groove to allow a 2mm plate of metal to be bonded in. This metal will be brass, bonded on each side of the brass will be the keel weight halves. So, without further ado lets cut and shape the brass. Grinder fitted with either cutting disc or a flap disc was my choice of tooling. The flap disc also made short work of roughing the surface of the brass to aid achieve a solid bond using 2 x pack epoxy.

I bonded the keel weights to the brass first. Once dry this gave me the ability to use 'rack of eye' to line the run of the lead straight down the centre of the hull. Cellotape holding the weights in position as another mixing of 2 x pack epoxy was drizzled into the groove, the ends sealed with more cellotape to stop run out at either end. Rest and leave now.....

The brass insert was now held firm in the wooden keel but I fancied adding a useful feature. Brass pins running through the lead weights and the bottom of the keel. That should enhance the old skool looks.

The pins running through the lead weight I soldered when inserted. A good wiping with 'Bakers Fluid' (flux) helped the capillary action once the brass was to solder melting point. Filed when cooled and a finish with emery gave the desired look.... 

It's only now I will find out if  the size of the lead weights has been a good guess......which for my money look brill...... another float test would be a good idea. A large plastic storage box filled with water was just the job. I was pleasantly surprised that Cat's Paws still had a reasonable amount of freeboard. (Considering the hull is quite shallow.) At the same time I was now able to ascertain where the hull centre point was, (CLR) which then guides me to where the mast should be positioned. (C.E.)  

Every days a skool day!!!! Today I learnt the facts below. 

Freeboard - Distance from waterline to deck

CLR - centre of lateral resistance. 

CE - Centre of Effort. Should in theory be 4% to 5% forward of CLR. Also should be 33% to 40% of hull length measuring from bow.  I've marked the hull for mast position visually after finding CLR. I'll run a tape over the hull and keep you posted on on how close visual is to theory in the next chapter.

Thanks for checking in. Stay safe at the pond.