Cradle Construction and Initial Stitching

The day has finally come to start putting all these pieces together.  Assembly of the cradle was very straight forward.  The only thing I did different was instead of using the particle board cradle cross pieces I used 2X4 cut to the same length.  This created a very strong base.

Getting the keel into the correct location in the cradle took some work.  The stern cradle was very snug around the keel and made sliding it to the correct location impossible.  I had to pick it up and put it down several times to get it to the right place.  And that keel is heavy!

Couldn't find any 18 GA steel wire, so I got 19 instead.  Just have to be a little more careful not to break them.  The stitching of the bottom panels is a little awkward since you have to lay down to tighten the steel stitches.  Only broke a couple.

If you look at the bow pictures you'll notice that it's a little weird looking.  The manual cautions that the stitching near the bow is trouble.  It is.  I still haven't gotten it right yet.  I'm gonna build a jig tomorrow to help keep the panels from sliding over each other.

An quick check of the alignment shows that everything is squaring up correctly.  So far so good.  Pressing on!

Hours this session: 7
Hours total: 91
Hours remaining: 311