Floyd inspects the blueprints and building key. I find that laminating the plans is very useful in preserving them when working mostly outside as I do.

Here are the 24' side panels joined with butt straps. At this point I think I just marked all of the measurements on the sides, and I am prepared to cut them out. I work under a 24' canvas and galvanized steel "carport" structure. My driveway slopes down 1" for every 1' of length. The 1957 Richline is visible in the backyard, and the Elegant Punt is leaning against the house to the right.

Here I am applying epoxy to the vertical sides. This job is not as tough as I expected. I simply hold the squeegee against the side and pour some epoxy against the side and squeegee. Then I spread it working from the bottom up. The Carolina heat and humidity are factors to reckon with.

The bottom of the hull is completed - epoxy, cloth, primer, paint. I am using System Three two part epoxy paint on this boat. Here, 8 of us picked up the hull, carried it to the back yard, set it down, rolled it over, carried it back under the canopy right side up, and then went out for eats.

This is a photo of the aft side of the forward bulkhead taken from inside the cabin. For some reason the leeboard from the Elegant Punt appears in the bottom right of the photo.

The cockpit sole makes a great place to throw the tools while working on the seats and sides of the cockpit.

The cockpit seats and sides are screwed in place temporarily. I don't know why I am pointing at the floor.

This view shows the aft end of the cockpit. The motor will mount here. The floor seen here will be replaced by the pivoting rudder assembly.

January 2000 - Raleigh, NC. 20" of snow in one night is just too much for my boat building shelter to take!

What a mess! It is a good thing most of the panels are already coated with epoxy.

I bailed 5 gallons of water out of the cabin as the snow started to melt. What a ridiculous construction delay.