The Black & Tan

To our shop hand, Bross Mackenzie Hodges......

Before anyone calls the department of labor or child welfare, it should also be noted the Bross is also the job supervisor and can be a relentless taskmaster, we often joke that the "R" in his name is silent....yes thats a tear I'm wiping from my eye, just couldn't take the pressure.....

To Natalie, Mack's wife. Not only has she been supportive sharing her time, but she has been a gracious host. I camped out at Mack's last weekend to work on the boat and we had delicious meals breakfast lunch and dinner! Highlight of the weekend was a Kale, sausage and white bean soup with Cheese crostini that was absolutely delicious, i took a pic but it came out awful, but heres the recipe....Thanks Nat! sooo tasty.

Kale, Sausage and White Bean Stew from The Gourmet Cookbook 1 tsp olive oil 1 lb bulk Italian sausage (sweet and/or hot) broken into pieces (can use chicken sausage) 5 large garlic cloves, minced 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes 1 head Kale, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces 3 cups cooked or canned white beans (drain and rinse canned) 3 cups chicken broth 1/2 stick (4 tblsp) unsealed butter -I don't always include this 1/2 cup grated parm 2 plum tomatoes, diced- I sometimes use canned diced 2 tblsp chopped fresh parsley - I don't always include this

Heat oil in soup pot ( I love to use a Dutch oven for this soup) until hot but not smoking. Brown saus, stirring, for 7-10 minutes. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and cook stirring until garlic is softened, about 2 minutes. Add kale and cook, stirring until wilted, about 2 minutes. Add beans and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add stock and bring to a gentle boil. Stir in butter, cheese, tomatoes, and half of parsley and cook, stirring until butter is melted and stew is heated through. Season with salt and pepper.

Another busy week. Its getting harder and harder to remember all the steps in our process, but last saturday we glassed the topsides and bottom. First off, all the seams were taped to ad reinforcement using 105/205 and 6 oz 4 inch fiberglass tape. Next, we started on the sides, the hull was wetted with west system 105/205 epoxy and then blanketed with 6oz fiberglass cloth. The cloth was wetted out using rollers, i mixed as Mack rolled. We taped the bottom along the corners with 4 inch tape as well in order to fill in the gap between our 38inch cloth and our 44 inch beam. Then we glassed the center of the bottom with the 38 inch cloth. The port side went flawless, starboard had some difficulties but we managed to keep our cool, and the bottom went on pretty easy although we did come down to our very last drop of epoxy at the end, talk about cuttin it close! After a short visit from the Fire Cheif we were on our way, thankfully he didn't shut us down.....

On Sunday we tackled the transom and interior. First Mack trimmed all the rib stems and then notched out the motor well. While he sanded out the interior I glassed the transom with 6oz glass fabric and we cut it to fit. Then we coated the entire interior with 105/205 epoxy using rollers and trimming and finishing with brushes. While we waited for it to cure we took Bross to the river to catch some trout....

quick update, progress is slowing as we wait for good weather to finish our 2nd and 3rd coats of epoxy. at this point, the interior has had its second coat, and the exterior gunnels were cut, planed and added from leftover Sapelle stock from the interior chines.