I have another set of three arched roof supports permanently fastened into place, and...
Houseboat update, Part 3, Tuesday, June 4, 2019 -- I have another set of three arched roof supports permanently fastened into place, and I have begun to make the first of six window framing spacers. It's the unfinished lighter-colored post in the foreground. Four of them will be the same 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 inch timber you see here, and two will be slightly wider. Together, they will allow me to mount four 24-inch-wide windows on each side of Jersey Girl. In addition, there will be three forward-facing windows, one of them in the forward cabin door. There will be a similar window in the aft cabin door, one aft-facing "eyebrow" window in the galley and one in the head, and two small inward-opening "hopper" windows in the sides of the galley and the head. Possibly two ventilating skylights as well. As you can guess, I want a wide-open feeling inside this little boat, since one of its uses will be as a floating art studio.
Notches, notches and more notches.
Houseboat update, Thursday, June 6, 2019 -- Notches, notches and more notches. Even some of the notches have notches of their own. Today was a day of fitting the three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle of framing together, mostly using a mallet and chisel. Here you can see Jersey's Girl's starboard side framing for the four windows that will stretch along the full length of the main cabin. Tomorrow, I'll make a few final adjustments and permanently glue and screw them into place. I already have the timbers cut and shaped for the port side, so I'll get them permanently fastened as well. After that, it's back to the the arched roof supports, so I can finally get started on covering Jersey Girl permanently. (I'm holding off installing the windows because there's still a lot of construction to be done, and tools to be dropped, and I don't want to risk breaking the glass.)
Windows! Jersey Girl has windows, seven of them so far. I need to shim a frame to fit the
Houseboat update, Saturday, June 15, 2019 -- Windows! Jersey Girl has windows, seven of them so far. I need to shim a frame to fit the last window on the port side. That should be done later today, then it is on to the roof. As an update to the update, I am thanking a crew of hearty volunteers from the Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County, who actually paid money (as part of a fund-raiser for the Society) to help me install these windows. I provided the lunch, we all had a great time, and the windows got where they needed to be in record time and in good order. And miracle of miracles, no one fell off any ladders.
After two weeks away from Jersey Girl for traipsing through Yosemite, I am back at work.
Houseboat update, Thursday, August 1, 2019 -- After two weeks away from Jersey Girl for traipsing through Yosemite, I am back at work. The forward deck area is pretty much complete, but for the railing and other details to come later. The hatch covers are installed, and they fit perfectly. The forward-facing cabin windows are screwed and sealed in place. Tomorrow, I will work on filling the spaces above and below the windows.
Jersey Girl is putting her best face forward.
Houseboat update, Tuesday, August 6, 2019 -- Jersey Girl is putting her best face forward. I've installed all the bead-board tongue-and-groove planks in her forward cabin bulkhead, leaving window trim and building the door for later. Tomorrow, weather permitting, I will get started on the roof. Good news: I've discovered that the same six-inch tongue-and-groove I used for the cabin will conform with the arc of the roof very nicely. This will save a lot of construction time, and it will look great from inside the cabin. Stay tuned.
