Jersey Girl

Houseboat update, Part 2, Wednesday, May 8, 2019 -- Yippee, a break! FedEx just arrived with the two eyebrow windows I've decided to use in Jersey Girl's aft bulkhead, the ones overlooking the aft deck. So I get to do some challenging (but fun) work. First, I position the window where I think it should be, and trace a grease pencil line around it. Next, I use a circular saw to make a plunge cut along the line, leaving just a bit at each corner so the waste piece doesn't break loose in an uncontrolled way and splinter the surrounding wood. Plunge cuts require practice and concentration; plunge cuts on an arc, even more so. The trick to making a plunge cut on an arc is to set the depth of the saw blade just a tiny bit more than the thickness of the wood, to minimize the length of the chord of the circular blade that you are forcing around the arc. Finally, I use a Japanese pull saw to cut out the remaining corner bits, making sure to support the waste piece with a saw horse. Do all this right, and you achieve something like nirvana.

Houseboat update, Wednesday, May 8, 2019 -- I have been spending the last several days machining four midship roof support posts, a difficult, complicated job; arduous both physically and mentally. When I am working with expensive material like cedar, I greatly prefer not to make mistakes. So it's measure two or three times, check for fit, take break, come back, check again, then cut. Still, I make mistakes that need adjustments, but none I can't recover from. I still have to cut the decorative chamfers into the visible corners of these posts, then sand them and seal them with several coats of epoxy, before I can install them. Then, I have the four forward cabin posts still to be made. They will be the most complex of all, because they will have to be cut on angles matching the bay-window shape of the forward bulkhead and companionway of the cabin.

Houseboat update, Friday, May 10, 2019 -- As I mentioned in a previous post, the design I'm using for Jersey Girl calls for a forward cabin bulkhead sporting a sweet bay-window shape instead of being flat from one side to the other. I want to stick with that design. But that calls for some rather complicated shaping of the posts that form the framework as it transitions from the sides to the angled forward windows and meet at the door frame in the center of the forward bulkhead. As an example, the side posts need to be square to fasten into the hull and its below-deck framing, but twist abruptly to accommodate the topside shape of the forward bulkhead. That calls for some complex planning and slick execution on the table saw and finished up with a Japanese pull saw. Here is that transition, and I am happy with how it seems to have turned out. The outside posts are ready to be sanded and sealed with epoxy. I still have to shape the two door jamb posts, which will be different, but just as complicated.

Houseboat update, Wednesday, May 29, 2019 -- Jersey Girl now has her forward cabin framing complete. With thunderstorms in the forecast soon, it's time to wrap up for the day. Next, as soon as the weather gods smile upon me, is to go back aft and install the framing that will define the galley on the port side and the enclosed head on the starboard.

Houseboat update, Part 2, Tuesday, June 4, 2019 -- Yesterday, I permanently fastened the forward posts that will delineate the spaces to be occupied by Jersey Girl's head on the starboard side and the galley on the port. Today, I will concentrate on the arched roof supports over the posts I installed yesterday, as well as timbers that will form the framework for windows.