Day 34: Hatch Gutter Installation

Big day.  Put in a solid 11 hours at the shop.  Was 17 degrees en-route this morning but viola! the glue has set and we have hatch gutters!

This is a pic of Tom putting a fine tune to the port side hatch gutter.

We waited 48 hours before we released the clamps and blocks which held the gutters together.  I hope they are actually cured... not just frozen!

We set the gutters into place with temporary support blocks held into place with hot glue.  The process was fast and easy w/ two people.  The pre-made gutters fit nearly perfect.  The only work was cutting out the "U" channels in the thwarts where the gutters will exit.

Here is a pic of the stern hatch gutter and the temporary support blocks.

We also put the first hole in the boat today.  (And hopefully the last)  This is a pic of the drain hole in the hull for the boatman's footwell.

This is a photo of both drain holes.  Fore: boatman's well, Back: hull.

This is our drain tube and gaskets.  We squeezed them together after an hour ride on the heater.

11 hours and its starting to look like a whitewater boat.  The deck is cut and fit.

We used cardboard to template the curves and went at the 3/8" with a jigsaw and japanese hand saw.

The bow hatch deck was tough!

Still have the stern hatch deck to cut.

Its gonna have to heat up before we can glass anything.

Tom trims up the deck of the bow hatch.

An exciting day.

Nearly too tired to post this today.

We loaded Tom's truck with 3/8" an 1/4" and the hatch gutters.  He has master plans to build the hatch lids.  Can't wait to glue it all up!  ...As soon as this cold snap heads back up north.

Oh and not only did we have our first hole in the boat we also had our first near flip.  I stepped onto the front passenger seat while my Dad was in the same foot well... we went for a good ride.  Glad the ceiling is high :)