Building a boat, especially one the scale of Selah is a fascinating endeavour. Prior to turning over day, the work flow was primarily in one direction. Now there are a number of ways we can choose to go, and we find ourselves having to consciously remain focused on one job at time. It’s easy to get distracted.
Frame five is now completed, apart from some minor finishing off jobs. There was a surprising amount of time taken to complete it. Although relatively simple, it is a large double skinned fabrication, and requires some big glue lay-ups. Also there is some fiddly detail work blocking around the doorways. Pete did not trust his jigsaw to cut an even curve in the doorways, so he made a template to guide the router.
Frame nine is also completed, as far as we can go at this stage. If we so wished, we could glue the bridge-deck into position, but have decided to complete the stern steps first. Without them access would be restricted once the bridge-deck is fitted.
The stern swim platforms are completed and have been fiberglassed for weather protection. Deb has filleted the rudder voids immediately forward of the platforms. As well as strengthening this load bearing area, the fillets prevent water pooling in any of the knooks and cranies around the butt joints and keelson timbers, guiding it to the lowest point where it can be mopped up through inspection ports. These areas receive three thick coats of epoxy resin, prior to closing up.
The rudder posts/ hull joins have received a thick epoxy fillet, in preparation of 8 layers of fiberglassing re-enforcing, and fitting of a sub bulkhead. After that the rear steps can be constructed over the top.
Building Selah 
Hi Deb and Pete – we are on board reading your post and looking at your curved doorway pictures and glancing at ours… we can see how a template would be needed!
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Hi Chris and Wade. Yep, F5 is challenging in that in the midst of the big structural work you have to slow down to finess the doorways. A wavy uneven cut would have been visible for ever. It was tempting to just draw a line and have a go with the jigsaw, but we are glad we took the time to make the jig. Hope all your move in preparations are going to plan, the big day must be looming large for you both … and Bengie! Do you think he has an inkling of what’s up?
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Wow you guys are really flying along. Love the progress. Wish I was that far along but I still have to work and am building out of pocket for 2 more years and then I’ll have access to funds an then full steam ahead. Can’t wait.
BTW nice job on the radius jig. That’s my nickname at work” jig” because I’m always building jigs to make work easier and to make a better product.
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Thanks for your comments Jig! Sounds like you have a plan for the completion of your boat, and we wish you well with it. Just so long as you are enjoying the process. I recon the Sarah design is well suited for solo builders as after the three major fabrications (hulls and bridgedeck) the other major components are laminated in situ, piece by piece. Just need heaps of clamps. By the way, out of interest, there are two Sarah’s for sale ATM in Aus, including the original Sarah built by Peter Snell. Plenty of photos. I was interested to see the small mods made over time.
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