110 Cookson Lane | Whitefield, ME 04353 | 207-232-7600 | tim@lackeysailing.com
After unclamping the panels in the forward cabin that I installed earlier, I prepared to continue with the two forward-facing bulkhead panels in that space. After solvent-washing the bonding surfaces, I installed the two bulkhead panels in polyurethane adhesive, clamping where possible and otherwise using braces against the chainlocker bulkhead to press the panels tightly into place.
I reapplied fairing compound to several areas of the overhead liner in the head and forward cabin, as needed, and also filled various old fastener holes in the exposed surfaces of the head bulkheads to begin steps to prepare them for their ultimate finish.
To support the aft end of the galley countertop, I installed a cleat across the existing bulkhead. I used a taller cleat here for additional strength, as the cleat had to span a wider area across a gap on the existing bulkhead. Later, during cabinet construction in the galley, I'd install a final section of bulkhead as required to close off the opening above the countertop.
The original construction of the decks had included a heavy, textured application of gelcoat over certain exposed areas, specifically in the quarterberth area, cockpit well, and undersides of the sidedecks. Much earlier, I'd sanded these areas as much as possible, but there was only so much this could accomplish without starting to affect the underlying laminate. To deal with this visual problem, I planned to skim coat the areas with fairing compound to even out the texture of the fiberglass and provide a more consistent, smoother surface for a more pleasing finish.
First, however, I had some minor repair work to complete. The small bulkhead at the after end of the quarterberth required new tabbing on its inboard edge against the cockpit well, to replace the original thin, torn tabbing. Also, I needed to round out the patch that I'd built earlier, from the outside, to fill in the old instrument panel location on the side of the cockpit, and bring this area flush with its surrounds. To this end, I filled the remaining void with plywood epoxied in place as a spacer t bring the area roughly even with its surrounds, and installed a layer of fiberglass over the exposed surface to tie it all together, and also installed a new fillet and tabbing on the adjacent bulkhead.
Afterwards, I applied the first of two or three skim coats of fairing compound over the quarterberth overhead and inside of the cockpit well, plus the underside of the sidedecks beneath the bridgedeck, in the galley, and above both main cabin settees. I didn't skim any areas that I knew would be later covered or hidden by interior cabinetry.
Total Time on This Job Today: 8 hours
