: Team

: Busy 1/2 day yesterday working on the yak. What was done was scrape with used
: razor the glassed seams and epoxy area within the hull to remoive any
: bump, glass spike, and excess epoxy to acheive a smooth surface wihout
: excess weight, even an oz is too much. The last two nights have been cold
: and it rained which lowered temps and caused the epoxy to slow down curing
: (of course it got cold, we started epoxying). When we finished we had a
: smooth finish which will help obn the application of the CF tonight. Also,
: I had this middle of the night dream idea of using 1/2 inch dowels cut to
: the exact hull width at the shear line stich hole location to spam the
: width of the hull at the sections to keep the hull's shape during the
: glassing. The dowels are small profile and smooth which we allow the CF to
: be applied easily. That's the morning's goal followed by being anal about
: the deck panel fit. To ease the fit, we're going to install the deck
: forms, like we did for the hull, on blocks of wood for support, screwing
: them so that they stay up on their own. Also to do today is to match the
: grain for the new rear hatch. When we positoned the rear deck on the
: okoume, I had redesigned the rear hatch to have a flow the was a smaller
: version of the cockpit, remaining inside of the projected decklines (under
: which there will be a hatch gasket shelf support gasket and 6 s/s 10-24
: studs). Postioning the rear deck meant putting the rear hatch over the
: scarf joint by design so that we can minimize the exposed joint. What part
: of the joint remains is 1 inch long on both side which will be covered by
: deckline hold-downs. I'm also going to laminate a second layer of okoume
: in the underside of the hatches to strengthen the hatch itself and serve
: to fit within the inner hatch gasket shelf. The strengthening idea is in
: case its stepped on accidentally, and minimize wear and tear versus a
: single layer of okoume. Also, there will be an embedded s/s t-nut (I love
: the little things) for the hatch retaining strap hold-down.
: So, today's a busy day and I'll sin off for now. Gotta stop and check on the
: Jensen's and hit that yak.

: More later
: In the layout and re-designing as well as the building, I have to say that
: I'm dictating the steps and work. Dave is new to the whole thing and is
: essentially the customer and assistant, but has good ideas and is as anal
: as I. One thing I found is the inability he has to spatially conceive the
: progression of shapes in time. Even explaining the concepts he can't
: envision the deck coming together but trusts me. I've met others who can't
: understand things spatial, for instance, explaining the idea of turn
: points in simple line-of-sight surveying for elevations. I find this
: fascinating beyond belief...I guess we all have our strengths and
: weaknesses.
I've been following your build journal with interest; but I wonder if you can expand on what, exactly, you're using the SS t nuts for.