Spring arrives in the boatyard
Posted By Sarah on March 8, 2010
The snow has finally melted enough to get back to work on Heron. We had laid her frames down for the winter to prevent warping from snow load, and by last week we were impatient enough to shovel them out and let the sun finish clearing the yard. Ekk and I went to the lumber yard a few days ago to buy hemlock for the battens. Crewman Brian came up for the weekend and helped stand the frames. By the end, we had a recognizable vessel again!
Brian holding some of the first battens at the stern.
A lot of this is temporary. The battens are just tacked into place so we can shift them easily to find the appropriate final location for each frame. It was still enough to get an approximate idea of her general size and lines, though.
Ekk standing at the stern. This photo was taken from next to the stempost. You can really get a feel for how long and beamy she will be.
Getting the frames restood and the battens on was a major accomplishment. Now that things are freestanding again, work can be done by one or two people instead of several. Of course, having all three of us working together meant many pauses in the work while we realized the magnitude of what we were working on. She looks even bigger in person.
Ekk & I standing on the keel
For reference, the decking will be just about where our necks are in this photo. She’ll have some cast-lead ballast and an iron keel-shoe, but we’re thinking about the possibilities of water ballast, also. The interior will be divided into three watertight compartments, each accessible only from on deck.
The work crew. (Most of the weird angle is due to the camera; Heron's not really that crooked.)
Onwards and upwards!
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Fantastic!!! I hope I can get to see it under sail.
(((((HUGS)))