The Black & Tan

Bross is turning out to be a great helper. Today we sanded, then we sanded, after that we sanded. then we got to woodwork with the Sapelle, some nice crossbeams for the bow and stern.

Mack did some nice work in designing a rope rowing seat this week. below are some pics. there is a similar design here. This design will be altered a bit to include a machined aluminum adjustment system which we will patent and share with those interested at a later date (just kidding) We don't have pics yet but they will be up soon. Cant wait to get some paint on this beast and get her in the water! Mack also machined some nice brass scuppers for the splash well, nice touch!

The heat has finally backed off and we took advantage of this sunny day. Got two coats of military grade epoxy based primer on and she's lookin like a real boat! Thanks to Mack's friend George for supplying the goods!

5. Photo courtesy of M. Bross Hodges

This week brought the arrival of my baby daughter, Layla, this will of course lead to some delays in the finishing of the boat, but I sure can't wait to take her out on the water!

A lot of progress has been made in August, mostly in paint in Varnish, but a few hardware additions as well, and the B&T is steadily approaching her initial float! After Priming the hull we used a 2 part industrial polyurethane as a basecoat, then topped it off with a coat of Petit Brightsides. We will probably add another coat before she is splashed. The First of 3 interior coats of Spar urehthane varnish has been applied and she is looking great! when finished the interior will have 3 coats of epoxy topped with 3 coats of varnish. You will also notice the custom made rope rowing seat and aluminum rails for the passenger bench seat have been installed. The bench seat is being made from a 1.25 inch Mahogany board Mack borrowed from his family's home on the St. Lawrence River, and interestingly enough it has a legacy of its own, as it once served as the seat in a wooden boat Mack's father restored years ago. The other notable installation is the oarlock mounts, which are fashioned out of Sapelle and sandwiched into the gunnel. Another coat of paint, few more coats of varnish, some hardware for the motor well, and some floorboards and she's ready to go. Can't wait!

1. Oarlock mounts 2. rowing seat