The dodger project was one of the most complicated ones we undertook. Tim did the metal framing and mounting to the boat and helped to design the shape of the fabric with the patterning material. I did all the sewing. It took quite a few months of weekends to get it all done but it still resides on the top of the effort-to-reward project list.
Measure Three Times
Dodger Phase I Complete
A Perfect Day For Sailing
Dodger Phase III Complete
Dodger Phase Complete :)
A page to keep track of all sorts of interesting boat information to help us in our preparation to go cruising. See our main blog The Retirement Project link in the menu bar.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Aft Cabin Workshop
We converted the single starboard side berth into a workshop to store the many spare parts and tools that we would need full-time cruising and to pad the cruising kitty a bit. Here are the posts that deal with that conversion.
Aft Cabin Project Pics
Aft Cabin Project Pics
Bulkhead Table Project

Here is a summary of the posts on The Retirement Project that deal with the bulkhead table addition.
Let It Be...Not
Do It Fit?
Bulkhead Table Progress Report
Cerca
Table Is Done
If we had it to do again, we would cut the corners of it diagonally to make it easier to get around and I'm not sure we would use raised fiddles on it since we almost never eat at the table while underway. Other than that, this project gets a big fat 10 on our satisfaction meter!
Dimensions of the box
Dimensions of the table top each half:
22-3/4" x 42-1/2" x 3/4". The table top is Okoume mahogany plywood. We chose this because it is 30% lighter than solid wood, doesn't warp, and the glue is waterproof. A 4x8 sheet was around $200 at the time of construction. We used half of it on the table and the other half for the workbench project.
The dimensions of the legs are 29-1/4" x 4" x 1" solid cherry. We cut out the middle portion to save weight. They are mounted to the undersides of the table with brass inserts and brass hinges. We used the existing floor mounts from the centerline table to mount the legs to the floor. As you can see, it took several tries to get the arrangement of the legs right so that they would deploy in the right position but still be able to fold into the table as it was closed. Live and learn...
We used magnets to hold the legs in place as they are stowed so that they wouldn't rattle while we were in a seaway.
Dimensions of the trim at the center hinge point:
The trim on the top center edge is 1/4" x 3/4". There is another piece of trim visible directly below that which measures 3/4" x 1-1/2". It is routed out to accept the hinge so that the hinge is not visible from the top, but only from the bottom.
We drilled out a wood knob and epoxied in a brass cap that screws onto the pipe rod that holds the table in place while stowed.
We used teak inserts to protect the table from the rod.
The box is solid cherry. The back of it is 4" x 3/4" stock, heavy but needed to match the teak trim piece that comes down along the mast in this boat. We did add three 1/8"mahogany plywood inserts into the back of the cabinet to hide the bolts that mount the cabinet to the bulkhead shared by the head. We used heavy bolts and washers to mount it to the bulkhead.
If you need additional information please feel free to contact us at svkintala att gmail dott com
Nav Seat / Storage Bench
We removed the pedestal nav seat (which was hideous) and replaced it with a storage bench that would store all the bakeware that was currently residing in my oven and had to be removed every time I wanted to bake something. It is one of the most useful conversions we did. The box was constructed of plywood covered with mica. The interior was painted with epoxy paint, and the lid was fitted with a padded seat. There is a lock to hold the lid down when sailing.
Boat Parts Go On
Boat Parts Go On
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Projects
We've decided to use this portion of the site to detail the involved level projects that people keep asking us about. There will be various posts on the projects along with links to the posts on The Retirement Project that explain them and have pictures. If you need any additional information on any of these projects, please contact us at svkintala att gmail dott com.