Firefly Progress

[Jon Etheredge]

Construction is completed and I've started the finishing process. Since the last update I have added the outwales, installed the thwart, and fabricated the outriggers.

The boat has been modified from Basset's original design to stiffen up the support for the oarlocks. I have installed a lminated frame at the outrigger attachment, added the thwart at the attachment point of the stern stay, and designed more conventional outriggers.

I started applying a mixture of linseed and turps this weekend. The outside will get one or two more coats of oil and that will be followed by white, oil-based house paint. The interior will be oil only. This is a boat that I hope to use a lot so I am going with a simple workboat finish to minimize maintenance time.

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http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid129/p8f3f1aaa0d611e2b1db6ff2ce36cc55f/f7cbbc2b.jpg
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[ 07-19-2004, 10:09 AM: Message edited by: Jon Etheredge ]

[JimConlin]

Nice job.

No sliding seat?

What's it weigh?

Jim

[L.W. Baxter]

Groovy!

Nice joinery on the deck/breasthook/stem/gunnel connection. Looks top drawer from here.

So...what's it weigh? :D

--Lee

[sr. jigaboni]

that boat is much prettier that the drawings would suggest. not that the drawings aren't nice, but wow!

goodness, what a gorgeous sheer!

[Jon Etheredge]

Thanks for the complements.

Honestly, I don't know what the boat weighs. It isn't light by rec shell standards. I think that Bassett says the boat should weigh about 80 pounds and I think my boat is in that neighborhood. Almost all of the weight is in the planking and I used fir marine ply which isn't known for being especially lightweight. Everything else is sassafras which is pretty lighweight for a hardwood.

Yes, there is a sliding seat. I am using the standard extruded aluminum track. It is mounted to the framework that is visible in the photos. The track is not installed while I am oiling the interior so I don't have to worry about getting it all slobbered up with the linseed oil. The footstretcher is also out of the boat right now for the same reason.

[JimConlin]

The crossbrace at the back rigger stay is a good idea.

Jim