Shutter Plank!

[Todd D]

I started planking 32 days ago and today I put the shutter plank on. The shutter (4th plank up) was a real bear to put on due to its twist. Planking alone is much harder than working with a helper. However, you do have the satisfaction of knowing that you did it all yourself. What a great feeling. I still have a couple of plank edges that need a bit of work (I accidentally carved a caulking bevel on the bottom of one plank and ended up with a double width caulking groove for 10'), but the big job is DONE! Now I am on to building the new interior.

http://www.todddunnmicroyachts.com/tortuga/shutter_plank.JPG

[wizbang 13]

Too early there for a whiskey? Cheers!!

[peter radclyffe]

well done

[Jay Greer]

I'm having one in your honor.
Conratualations!
Jay

[Thad]

Looks good to be a boat again! What is she?

[Tracey]

Congratulations. That's got to be the toughest spot to plank on the boat, especially alone.

[Todd D]

The boat is a 1936 32' raised deck cruiser similar to a small Lake Union Dreamboat. I believe it is a Geary design. It was built by Nunes Brothers in Sausalito, CA.

There is more info here: http://www.todddunnmicroyachts.com/tortuga/rebuilding_tortuga.html

[FSS172]

Looks like they've all got a wicked twist in 'em... did you steam, soak, or do anything else to encourage them to cooperate? Congratulations on your achievement!

[Todd D]

I steamed the planks for two hours. After that they went on quite easily despite the wicked twist required. My steam box is made from two pieces of pine 1x4 and two pine 1x8s. The whole thing is held together with drywall screws. I close the open end off with an old t-shirt/rag. Total cost was $15. The steam source is a wall paper steamer. It takes a while to heat the entire steam box up, but does the job. It will run for about 3.5 hours on a fill. My widest plank was 5.5", I have no idea how the builder got the original 12+ inch wide planks on.

http://www.todddunnmicroyachts.com/tortuga/planking-4.jpg

[Soundman67]

thanks for the post. I was following your process a while back and I am glad to see the progress. Looking forward to the interior. Lots of pictures will be required.

[Todd D]

Soundman,

I am working on the interior now. For the past couple of days I have been putting the stringers back. I have three pieces of wood to install and that part of the project will be done. Unfortunately, I only have enough clamps to do one piece a day, so the stringers won't be in until the middle of the weekend. Tomorrow I will start putting the floors in the main cabin. When that is done I will put the cabin sole in and then the ceilings. After that I will start building the acutal interior. Hopefully, the actual interior construction will be started within two weeks.

[ILikeRust]

I can totally see why you took on that boat - it is effing gorgeous! I, too, really like that raised deck style. Very, very classy-looking craft. Impressive work you've done, also. Good on ya!