Done

Just like my apprenticeship, the Mermaid is done. Complete. Finito. Nothing left but the splash. Since it will be a whirlwind after the launch (moving back to Vermont Saturday and flying to Alaska on Sunday), you're going to have to settle for some landlocked pictures for now. I should have some pictures from the launch in September. Check back then. For those who remember last year's launch. . . this one should be a little better. Forecast is sunny, 85F, west wind 10 - 15. Since we are on an eastern shore, that means I should be able to sail here right off of the ramp.

First, a few more detail shots. I got the last pieces of the mast just in time. This is the jumper / forestay / jib halyard tang.


Here is the outhaul set up at the end of the boom and the main sheet blocks.


The cockpit layout facing forward. . .

And aft. . .


The curved, raked transom. Note the reflections in the paint. The boys did a good job finishing.


Finally, here she is. Mast stepped and all. Enough said. Enjoy the pictures.

Starboard!

I just thought this was a funny picture.


Yes, my boat is tiny. The lesson here is that a boat that is twice as long as yours is way more than twice as big.

Anyhow. That big boat is out of the way now, so we are in the shed, finishing up. Believe it or not, I forgot to get a picture. But we have some topside paint on her now, and she is looking good. ("Is that a fiberglass boat?") Actually, since the picture above is taken from a distance. . . that is pretty much what she looks like still.

In the shop, I've been working on a few finishing touches. A new handle for the winch handle. First time turning something since I made my mallet last year.


Some sheet holders (I'm sure that is not the proper name) for the boom (all from scratch)


Connecting jib blocks to jib cars (nothing from scratch. . . but you have to take apart the block and re-rivet to do this without adding a shackle).


Finishing up the top of the mast (partially from scratch. . . had a pro do the bend on the top piece).

And connected the tiller to the rudder. It was a nice change of pace to make the tiller, as it had been a few weeks since I had done any woodworking. Of course, there was a bunch of riveting involved to get it attached to the rudder.


As far as I know, all I have left is is the jumper / forestay tang / jib and spinnaker halyard attachment (all of those things pretty much go at the same point in the mast), which I have been trying to design and collect parts for the last few days. After that, nothing left but a bunch of paint and a lot of pushing. It is a long way from the shed to the water.