The album of Ariel #422

[CapnK]

Built up the 'strongback mating' piece somewhat more...

Trimmed the piece previously shown using the Rockwell tool (which is fast becoming my 'go-to tool' for this job...).



Labeled the piece generously, since the fit is different for vs aft against the overhead (tighter fit forward).



Shown with the mating piece is the scrap cutout from the cabin overhead liner. I intend to use this at the last layup in order to provide a nice flat surface for bonding against the overhead skin.



Glass cut and laid out for easy access. I positioned every full-width piece against the forward edge, smaller width pieces I laid slightly past the after edge in order to build a thicker section there.



Two resin mixing sessions later (the first one went off *fast*, too fast for me to layup all the glass at once), this is what i now have to work with. Have to trim it and measure, but I believe it is thick enough that I can lay on a paste of resin and colloidal for final forming, and then bond the liner scrap to it just prior to in-boat mounting. I put the overhead scrap piece against the resin when wet to make a 'pattern' of sorts so I know where to build up a bit more resin in the next step.

[CapnK]

Last for today, the CrewDogs are getting older, and getting them down into the cabin during the cold winter months has always been, well, interesting.

Molly is pretty fearless and will jump down, but she is almost 11 now, and I don't want to put that sort of stress on her old bones any longer. Buffett has to be 'persuaded' or brought down by hand - 55 lbs of wiggly furry mutt.

So this year they get their own accommodations, out in the cockpit. A cheap tent from WalMart with floor dimensions of 5'x6' fits the area pretty well. I am going to make an extension tube or something that will allow a good tight fit against the companionway from that side of the tent, allowing both me access to the boat, and hot air into the tent. I'll insulate it somehow.- am thinking of some batting material sewn between thin nylon that will basically blanket the tent. Will tackle that project down the road a bit, when nighttime temps start down below 40 or so...