Building the boat: Progress in the colder weather

Since my last post when I was be-moaning the drop in temperature, the weather rallied somewhat. I have been able to make and fit 4  more bottom-of-the-boat panels and the first bulkhead at the stern of the boat. The bottom now has only 3 panels left to build and fix in place, and that will have to wait until the spring. One advantage of that is that the interior will be easier to access while I work on the cabin sides and roof.

Since those pictures where taken, I have painted all the bare areas. I am pleased because that show real progress toward the finish of the build. Considering the heart attack, the going has been pretty good. I had originally believed I would build the hull to completion this year and I know I would have finished it but for the delays due to illness.

This area is 10ft by 8ft, the last panels to be done this year

This will be the cockpit/porch floor, with inspection hatches

Bulkhead with the start of the back door frame

Prefabrication the cockpit edges

Bulkhead

Good view of the rear floor panel. This one was hard work to install!

This area of the boat will remain open till spring

General view of the inside of the boat

My next step: lowering the hull down to 6" off the workshop floor. I think there will then be just enough headroom to build the cabin. I have three, 2 tons hydraulic jacks for the job of lowering the hull, so there should not be any problems because I estimate that, at this stage, the hull weighs about 2 tons.