M.V. TEAKWOOD
Recently visited the U.K and collected the hull from a relative. it is now back in Canada so a detailed examination can be carried out.
First impressions are:
1) The Deans Velarde hull bulwarks have fortunately not been trimmed to the final dimensions, these are marked in pencil. The excess material will really help as the Teakwood forecastle extends further sternwards and this extra material avoids having to build the forward bulwarks up.
2) The hull has many details added to facilitate positioning;
portholes
, rubbing strakes etc. These will all have to be sanded off as they do not fit the Teakwood.
3) The Velarde has a pronounced โdodgerโ on top of the bulwarks around the bow. This will also have to be removed.
4) The bow leading edge is quite bluff, possibly to suite the GF manufacturing process. This will probably work in my favour as it can be extended forward and slimmed into the Teakwood style entry, which is sharper and more vertical.
5) The hull is slightly oversize (about .300โ) , not enough to be concerned about, but it does make the revised LBP correct!
6) The hull is nicely made and a credit to Deans Marine.
The initial plan was to modify the hull shape first to adapt it into the Teakwood. Decided, as it is quite flexible, it would be better to add a keel strip, bulkheads and deck supports first. it would then become rigid enough to work.
This revision to my original thoughts proved the best approach. The hull needs several modifications, but until it is rigid it is premature to implement them. The modifications will only prove more difficult and then inaccurate.
Made up a number of plywood bulkheads, based upon the MM Velarde plan, but reduced in height to suite the Teakwood. As these are trial fitted into place in the GF hull further adjustments can be made.
Once satisfied with the bulkhead fit, they and the keel were epoxied into place.
Horizontal stringers were also added to ensure the bulkheads were accurately positioned, vertical and not twisted until the epoxy set. Can probably remove them once the hull structure is compete, although they could also be left in place to support the deck. Will probably largely leave in place.
Deck support stringers were also epoxied into place and the hull sides glued to them. The hull is now good and stiff and can be worked safely.
As the stern portion will require further adjustment, the sides were left free from the stern bulkhead rearwards. This will allow the rework without cutting through recently fitted items.