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I just recently learned of the Vendee Globe. A solo, non-stop sailing race around the world. There’s no other way to say it, except that these men and women who undertake this challenge are just badasses! In another lifetime, I would love to think I had the mental fortitude, physical stamina, and sailing ability in my soul to sail that race. I have the utmost respect and admiration for each of them. I look forward to the next race so I can follow it from the beginning.
Check it out here! Vendee Globe Website
The work completed below was done in November and, as I write this post, it is January 28, 2021. Thirty-Three Skippers in the Vendee Globe departed Les Sables-d'Olonne in November. It’s amazing to think that the winner just crossed the finished line after circumnavigating the globe in almost the same time it took me to get this posted!
Things have slowed down a bit for my journey building the T-37 as other aspects within my life divert my course a bit, but I intend to get back to it in the next few months.
Today I fitted the keel and installed the platform in the cabin.
When test fitting the keel, it sat a little higher than the keel webs, so I marked with a pencil what needed to be sanded down.
I drew a line to know how much to plane off.
Using the power sander, I shaved just enough off the top to allow the platform to sit flush over the keel and the keel webs.
Milk crates provided a great support for the boat while the keel set up. I used a level to be sure it would be straight.
The milk crates also sparked the creativity of my photographer (aka my daughter)!
Once I dry fit everything and ensured I could keep the boat level, I began the assembly and epoxy. First, I clear coated inside the hull where the keel would sit. Then I clear coated the tops and edges of the keel webs.
Then I clear coated the top of the keel. (I had previously applied tape just below where the keel would come out of the hull.)
I also clear coated the entire bottom of the platform that would rest on the top of the keel and keel webs.
After placing the keel into hull and positioning per the instructions, I mixed a batch of the pre-thicken epoxy to finish the job. I applied the thicken epoxy around the keel inside the cabin.
Using the trick of applying a piece of tape to hold the platform, I carefully lowered it into the cabin, to be secured in position by the epoxy.
Finally, I applied the pre-thicken epoxy mixture to the joint where the keel meets the hull on the bottom. The epoxy was just the right consistency so that it didn’t run, and I was able to fill in the slot on the ends.
I double checked everything with a level, ensuring the keel was straight...
...I double checked to be sure the boat itself was level...
...and, being completely careful, I triple checked the keel and boat level again…
Before leaving it to set up, I left a little reminder note for any “passer-bys”....
Over the next few weeks, I didn’t have much time to work on the boat. I did however take a few minutes here and there to sand the hull and keel, to smooth out the epoxy joints and get it ready for priming.
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