realised the exact positioning or size
of these. The boat builders had made a
mock-up and had it sitting there for us
to look at first hand.
We did not like it and, although the
berth really is wide, it did encroach on
the space. We felt we did not need it this
size. There was already a good sized
shelf running fore and aft either side
of the cabin for storing bits and pieces
(again they had made a mock up of this
first, to see if we wanted it sloping in to
the hull or level). So all we really needed
was a smaller flat shelf to hold a cuppa
and a plate for tea and toast in bed in
the morning.
This would be very useful, but would
not encroach so much on the berth
space. So they were off to make another
mock up of that and we could see
exactly how it would look before they
made the final product. We are not that
good at visualising details like this but
we do know what we like when we see
it, so this process works brilliantly.
Where’s the deck and cabin top?
It makes sense for them to do as much
work as they can on the interior structure
without having the limited head room and
restricted access with the deck or cabin
top on. You can imagine, for example, how
much easier it is to drop the engine in.
So the deck and cabin top is built
and fitted later on. How they do this,
knowing it will fit exactly and match up
to the height and shape of the bulkheads
as well as following the hull shape, is
beyond us. One of the reasons we are
not boat builders. One of many reasons!
We had witnessed the same thing
recently as they have also been
constructing an 18 metre launch, with
the hull and the deck built alongside
each other and finally fitted together.
Boat building really is an art and these
guys are so clever, yet they do not seem
to appreciate just how clever they are.Keel floors take shape
Machining of the NZ Kauri for the keel
floors was next on the agenda and these
were initially dry fitted, then laminated
together ready for installation.
These keel floors are extremely robust in
their own right, but would also be glassed
in to the hull with fore and aft as well astransverse members. “Bullet proof” has
been a term often used by the team on the
job and we like the sound of that!
It is a bit of a shame to be glassing
over beautiful kauri, but it is superb
timber for the job and we have plenty
more kauri that will be on show in the
interior fit out – just beautiful!Next month
More bulkheads to be fitted, the keel
floor area finished and continuation
of the interior fit out.Februar y 2015 41practical: boat build
Neil Bailey
Neil and Barbara Bailey have
been keen sailors all their
lives, and live in Belmont, on
the north shore of Auckland,
NZ. They enjoy both cruising and racing
and have many blue water passages
under their belt. They own a successful
insurance broking company in Auckland
and naturally enough are specialists in
marine insurance. This will be their 6th
keelboat and most definitely the last!“It is also nice to have the space on a hot night in the tropics.”
LEFT TO RIGHT: Forward berth area taking
shape with bulkheads in place; Part of the
kauri keel floor area fitted, promises to be
bullet proof; Not quite a circus act – but close!
The hull interior being glassed in sections.