JoeS. wrote:Lou, your boat looks absolutely beautiful!
Thanks Joe. When I bought the boat, I thought I would have plenty of time to do the refit it needed. Just after that, I started my own business and had my third child. Although I didn't have a lot of time for the boat after that, I kept it in my driveway, making what progress I could. I had always wanted to rebuild an old British car. I guess this is as close as I got.
It looks like I'm very close to finished but there are always details that pop up and my experience is that jobs that I do hurriedly, I wind up doing over. I'm quite pleased with the way it is turning out.
I have the rudder assembly to complete and an engine mount to build. At that point, it's ready to sail. If you're ever on the east coast after I get it wet, you're welcome any time.
Here are some new photos.
Securing these doors to the engine bay has been a real problem. No matter what I tried, I could not stop leaks into the old engine compartment. My solution is a hand-cut, one piece gasket made out of neoprene sheet.
Here it is in position before being glued in place. I also screwed down the base of the assembly. Everything is tight now. When it is closed, the engine compartment finally stays dry.
The cockpit floor is covered with a grey matt that feels good on the feet and helps keep debris out of the cockpit drain. The problem I had was that the cockpit has the second well that the mat could not span. I had to make a brace for under the mat.
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/DGvDHrf.jpg?1)