A long project like building a boat is very hard to keep perfectly on track, especially as it does not create the discipline from a regular work week. True to form, the boat schedule broke down and did not reward me with much valuable photography or writing material. But sister Mary, in her gentle way, reminded me that I did not make the deadline last week for my blog post, or perhaps now going on a month. So, this is for rebuilding momentum, and Mary.

A drawing finally emerged, with help from Jeff Margush, as we imagined what the stern might look like some distant day from now. The photo shows a lot of disorder, coming from rebuilding the back seat supports, after having already glued them in place once before.

At that point, you have to take the saw to the problem instead of the piece of wood to the saw. I made a saw guide which was screwed on the leg assembly, and waxed it well so the saw slides freely. A few times climbing on and off of the boat for things forgot finally got the cuts made and a check off on the things to do list.

The boat a bit like a 1000 Piece puzzle, with out any picture or directions, made more complicated by some redo operations. It seemed that a slight angle would be more comfortable for the back seat drivers.

So far, I have used dowel joints, biscuit joints, and tongue and groove for hull planks. And now to hold up the two extra seats behind the captain’s bench, I used a cross lap with a support bracket. The seat will be a piece of 3/4″ marine plywood, which will also be stabilized by resting on the divider wall ledge. The long seat board extends forward and becomes the center support for the front seats.

The curly cherry also suggested that it be presented in panel areas where it will be seen, instead of common marine plywood. So I acquiesced and have started using the wavy, bubbly variety. It was one of those pieces of wood that the normal furniture builders who frequent Nisley and Sons east of Goshen, Indiana did not want. The uncommon wood goes to stand in a corner for people like me to investigate. When I saw the curly piece, thick enough to split in half and book match, I brought it home.