The Beginning of the End

The Rudder (alternate nickname for "Ruddy Duck") is far from a completed vessel, but I can begin to see the end in sight.

I have a three-day weekend this weekend, and it's supposed to be absolutely beautiful. While I was at the hardware store yesterday, I decided to pick up a few supplies with which I think I can fashion a rudimentary sail rig. I got an 8' closet pole (mast), a 6' closet pole (yard), 100' of stout cotton rope (halyard and sheets), a 6'x8' canvas tarp (main course, or sail) and a handful of blocks (that's sailor-talk for "pulley".)

I think on Friday I'll do the final layer of epoxy on the inside of the boat, and I'll also give the two poles a coating of epoxy to strengthen them and make them water-tight. Then Saturday, I'll just go ahead and rig the sail. My plan is to just put the boat on the ground in the back yard, get in it (with one or both boys), and determine where the logical place to put the mast, and make it so.

(If you'll recall, there was an earlier step in which my "eye" was supposed to tell me when something (the placement of the ribs) looked "right". Well, likewise the placement of the mast. At least, I'm hopeful.)

After I get the clean coat of epoxy in the inside, I'm going to paint the inside, I think, to give it a cleaner look. It's getting there.