Jersey Girl

Houseboat update, Thursday, September 20, 2018 -- Back to work on Jersey Girl. Over the past week, I have almost finished the poop deck. I'm as scatologically inclined as anyone (OK, call it arrested development) and I get a kick out of writing "poop deck," but it's not what you think. It means the highest, aft-most deck on a vessel. It comes from an old French word for exactly that, "poupe." On Jersey Girl, it'll be a nice place to sit and enjoy the fresh air with a sunset cocktail, perhaps, or a place to set up my easel to do some plein air harbor painting. It'll be covered by an extension of the arched cabin roof, so it'll even be available to use during a nice summer rain. The poop deck will also be surrounded by a curtain that can be drawn closed for privacy, when I want to take a shower, for instance. Did I mention I am planning a solar-heated shower installed in the center of the roof arc? What about drainage, I hear you say. That will be taken care of, as you will see. Stay tuned.

Houseboat update, Monday, October 1, 2018 -- I'm starting to frame the support timbers for Jersey Girl's recessed fore deck. Like the aft deck, the "front porch" will provide space for comfortable seating for two, and a place to watch the world go by. It'll be a little tricky, because this area lacks the obvious opportunity to build in drainage. But I have a few ideas to explore, and I'm sure I'll figure it out. It'll probably involve a "thru-hull" or two. The framing that I am working on now will probably be the last thing I can do before I tuck Jersey Girl in for a long winter's sleep. I'm going to miss her, but I will keep busy in the heated garage, prefabricating things like cabin walls and laminated arched roof beams.

Houseboat update, Part 2, Monday, October 1, 2018 -- I'm getting ready to cut some red cedar 2 x 2s to use in framing Jersey Girl's fore deck. Cedar is wonderful wood for boats. It's lightweight and very rot resistant. I'm no "woodologist" but I suspect the same properties that make it unattractive to the critters that play a starring role in the cycle of rot also make its dust play havoc on the lungs of boat builders. Thus, the full-face respirator. I'm just making note of this in case anyone cares to engage in my obsession. Gotta protect the ol' blowholes if you want to live long enough to pilot the boat you're building! Also, if you think 10 is perfect for the number of fingers you have, use tools like these to guide and push the wood through the saw. Just saying. ... Also, if you're ripping a heavy, ungainly piece like an 8-foot 2 x 8, use a roller stand or something like it to support the outfeed.

Houseboat update, Monday, October 8, 2019 – Jersey Girl gets her fore deck fitted today. After measuring carefully and cutting out notches to accommodate the framing, I am glad to report that we have a perfect fit. If it were not such a drizzly day, I’d fiberglass this piece and start working on the drainage system. But the threatening weather gives me the opportunity to restore order in my incredibly messy garage. If I can tidy up a bit, there’s a good chance I can make space to fiberglass the deck inside, then get to work on installation and drainage tomorrow. In the meantime, it felt good to be able to walk on the deck and feel how solid it is. I can just see myself, sitting out in the breeze with a nice drink and a book, or setting up my easel and doing some plein air (or plein eau?) painting, or maybe even re-learning how to play the guitar….

Houseboat update, Thursday, October 25, 2018 -- It's been a while since I've posted new developments in Jersey Girl's construction. Things are slowing down a bit as the temperature drops and stops the epoxy I use from curing properly. But a few last-minute details before I wrap her up and tuck her in for a long winter's sleep. As you can see, her recessed fore deck is in place, but not yet glued and screwed down. I'm in the middle of designing and installing a drainage system, so any rain or spray that might fill the recessed area will flow easily through a scupper in the side of the hull to the water outside. There will be four drains. Each pair will be plumbed through 2-inch PVC pipe to a single scupper on each side. The big hole in the forward center of the deck is an access port, so I can see if any water is collecting below, and so I can tighten the nuts fastening the tow hook at the bow, if necessary. It'll be capped with a watertight screw-in cover. In a couple of weeks, I will hoist a well wrapped Jersey Girl onto her trailer for winter storage.