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| The Voyage of INTREPID | |
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"Bulkhead 17, Transom" |
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Bulkhead 17 is at the rear of the cockpit, in front of the transom. I had three issues to address before I could cut this piece: two were of
my doing, and one was with the design. I wrote Mr. Michalak about sealing off the bottom of this bulkhead as there is a 6-inch by 25-inch opening
at its base on the plans. I figured that I would not use that area under the transom deck as it looks to be too small
and would probably be too wet. I wanted to seal the area off after filling it up with floatation foam. Mr. Michalak wrote back that doing so would
be a grave mistake, as the area under the transom deck needs to be ventilated to prevent rot. The idea is that you can never totally seal a
compartment; water can find a way into practically anything, so you might as well make sure you can dry the area out by providing access holes for
air circulation. Makes sense; I've read this in other books as well.
I had increased the sides in the back half of the cockpit by 2-inches and the sides at the transom by 1.5 inches. I will need to add these increases to the bulkheads when I lay them out. I will also be using a long shaft motor, so I will have to raise the transom up from 15 and ½-inches to 20 and ½-inches. A bit of luck allows me to use one sheet of plywood to accommodate these changes.
Its 10 am, 22 degrees out, no wind, no rain -- great boat building weather. I look out my window, and what do I see? A juvenile moose sleeping in my yard!
Whenever you see a young moose, look around, for the mother should be nearby. Yup, there she is, eating my trees. I don't get many good building days up here in the winter, so I would like to take advantage of every one of them if I am going to launch this boat this summer. Do I go out and shoo them away, or do I just let the moose do what moose do, and I do something else? I started thinking that one of the purposes of my boat was to be able to get out and see the wildlife in Prince William Sound. It might be a bit hypocritical of me to be chasing away the wildlife in my own back yard. So ... go ahead moose -- eat, sleep, be merry -- but could ya hang out somewhere else tomorrow?
A couple of hours later, I noticed that the two moose had decided to go somewhere else. That's the mother in the back of the yard.
Here she is, approaching the back office window. I'm looking out my kitchen window.
Of course, the young moose has to check out what every one is doing inside the office. They, the moose, are now gone. The good news is that there is still enough time for me to cut some plywood. I put my winter clothes back on and start hauling out some tools.
I cut off an angled piece of wood from the transom's base where one of the bilge panels will be fastened. I no longer need to use an edge guide for cutting plywood. Apparently, I have made so many saw cuts by now that I have become adept at cutting a straight line free hand with my skill saw.
Where did she come from? While I was working under my tarp, I did not realize that the mother moose had returned and decided to rest up against my east fence. She is not concerned at all with me or the noise coming from my saw. OK then, I'll just keep working.
Wait, I hear a noise! I look up from my building table, and who do you think is looking back at me? That youngster came back as well.
Come on Mom! Let's go eat some stuff over there!
Oh, alright child. Let me nibble this twig first and then we'll leave.
Bulkhead 17 and transom are cut, but not finished. The transom still needs a motor board, drain holes, and framing. Bulkhead 17 still needs the ventilation/ access holes at the bottom, framing, and I am still debating if I want to cut down the height of this piece according to the plans. I see no advantage except for reduced weight and better access to the motor. I would gain a few inches in freeboard if I leave it as is.
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