May 2017

We have been laying out the interior and measuring and measuring and measuring.  This is the framework for the dinette that will convert to a bed.  Since John has years of experience taking boats apart to replace tanks and other repairs, he is planning ahead.  The port water tank will sit below the table and can be removed if needed.

It is easier to weld on the shop floor or on tables, so the center rear window frame had to be removed to get the dinette frame in and out.

Dinette frame in place.  The seat backs will fold.

Removing the frame to finish welding.  Only a half inch had to be cut off the legs.

Looking aft into the cockpit.  There will be doors on both sides The engine is behind the dark gray foam pad.  You can also see the white panels covering the cockpit wall ribs.

February 2017

We took a break to visit Tavares, Mount Dora and Lakeland area for a few days.

Air Museum in Lakeland

Gnome Village on the Dora Canal.  It returns each year with the snow birds.

The engine is an inboard Ford and needed a box to surround it.  This sits in the cockpit just behind the cabin wall.  Easily removed for maintenance.

Engine Box in progress

Finished with vents.

October to January 2017

Visiting the Tree Capital Museum in Perry Florida.

John has been making progress on the boat.  We went to the big International Boat Builders Expo -IBEX in October to search for a fuel tank manufacturer.  Even though John can make them, it's best to have USCG certified tanks.  We ordered them custom made from a great company - RDS Aluminum in Perry, Florida.

The cockpit deck hatches are finished and it's time to close up the stern.  

Closed, but how does he get in and out?

John built a custom stairway on wheels.

August

After a wonderful few days in San Antonio, it is back to work. 

Here is a nice shot with tarps removed.  We have spent a lot of time pumping rainwater out of the boat lately.  The bow rail is finished.

 Chocks installed.

Helm is taking shape.  Real seat bases are under construction.  Bar stools and pillows just won't work, LOL.
 Two 25 gallon water tanks arrived today

It is starting to really come together.

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June and July

Here is picture of the bow rail in progress.  John used 1" aluminum pipe, bent and rolled to fit

 Here is the anchoring hardware.  A roller, holder and king post.

April and May

It really looks like the vision.  The front window frames are fitted.  The center one will open for ventilation.

This is the underside of the hatch for the front deck.  It needs to be large enough to climb out to handle anchoring.  Lower photo shows how he used square tubing to fit the hatch onto a curved deck.

 Our handy pipe bender is making a new canopy for the Bronco.  We are tired of the old one blowing apart in every bad storm.  John got a deal on rectangular steel tubing from our good friends at ALRO metals.

February and March

The camera person is back and ready to post all the work that has been done.  The finished cabin top is being raised so that the hull can go underneath.

Top is installed and a perfect fit.

All of the side window framing and track was milled from Starboard.  Corners were drawn using a Corelle plate from the kitchen.  Bottom photo is a trial fit of the frame.