Getting there

Working on the last of the masters for the full-size patterns, which are drawn and labeled on Mylar.

Putting labels (many labels) on the scaled construction drawing. The gray numbered labels key specific points to explanations and details in the specifications.

12-1/2 Plans this week

The last scale drawing, of the keelson and keel layout plus a plan for a cradle and the way to install the lead keel using the cradle, is all DONE and ready to be scanned for labels. Ruth went to Bangor to get all the other scale drawings scanned and is putting in the labels.

Since the new shop is still not insulated or has any heat, I spent yesterday setting up a large drawing table in an upstairs bedroom (in the house next to the shop that we are using as an office) so I can draw the last few full size pattern (FSP) sheets. These are for the sections, developed transom and the profile of the transom.

Thank you to everyone for your patience!

Last spring a fellow ordered the plans for the 8'-8" Compass Harbor Pram and after he got them he wrote us saying that he had built boats to plans by several other designers and said our plans were the most complete and comprehensive he had ever seen. We are aiming to continue that tradition with the plans for our 12-1/2.

More soon . . .

Soon. . .

There are sixteen well-filled and detailed hand-drawn sheets in the Somes Sound 12 1/2 plans, including full-size patterns—and today is the day for the last sheet of details (fitting and attaching the lead keel.)

Tomorrow the last batch of master plan drawings goes up to be scanned and then the labels go on. Meanwhile, the final edit on the specifications and building details is just about done (all thirty-some-odd pages of it) and that will receive a little graphics work to make it easier to read and use.

Lots of details, lots to check and re-check, but we're back in the office full-time after the holidays, letting the shop building take care of itself while we finish up the plans. Time to get her off the mooring!

Shop, just before winter really arrived

These photos were taken back in November, at the end of a long surprisingly warm and not too wet fall. The great guys working on the shop kept us in the office working on the Somes Sound 12 1/2 plans, though we did spend some time staining shingles and painting trim. The shed on the shop's north side will be enclosed but unheated, for wood, boats, and all the other things that settle into boat sheds. It will also serve as a painting bay at times.

Somes Sound 12-1/2 Plans Update

We tried to get the plans done for December first but still have a bit more to do. Blame it on the weather. It has been a warm fall and, as you can see in earlier posts, we were finishing off the outside of the shop (with a crew--we're the painters and door builders) because we have a project to work on (a 12-1/2 as a matter of fact) this winter. A couple of weeks ago it turned cold and I was able to start drawing again. Basically I am inking and darkening several drawings and have one more FSP (Full Size Patterns) to draw. I've written the specs (all 37 pages) and Ruth is editing them.

We took several of the finished drawings to a plans copy shop and had the drawings scanned to a disc. Ruth then experimented with using a layout program to put labels on drawings. This worked very well. It will make all the labels easier to read and we can easily make changes and corrections. It also allows us to double up on getting these plans--and future sets--done!

With this set of plans we will be including a Parts List to make it easier for a builder to organize and cut out the blanks and make the parts for the boat. I am adding the drawing numbers to the list and need to double check the list for changes or things I forgot.

I'll be discussing all the features of these plans in a future post.

Happy New Year!

And more shop. . .

More shingles, and soon the lumber/boat shed extension . . . and soon, a real door for the boat side of things.

More shop

There's a boat in there, nice and safe and waiting until all the house-building subsides and we can work on her.