Ric's 7.5m Plate Alloy Cat Build

[ric]

Here are a couple of photos the Roof Hatch which we finished for Ric during this week.
Next week we are back on to making the frames for the sliding windows.
Pauly

Top work there mate.

[ric]

got a pair of these to push her along nicely!
Brisbane Marine supplied the goodies and even delivered to my door!
Troy, you ard your boys up there have a VERY clean workshop, no wonder you are so busy!

[ric]

last pic of transom before foam went in. both sides are completely foam filled except for a little area to get the lower engine bolts through.

[ric]

transom and duck board complete

[ric]

2x 270L tanks with inspection holes.

[ric]

welding in the framing for the underfloor battery compartment and killtank/storage.
the inspection hatch (white) gives me access to the airmar transducer

[ric]

airmar thru hull transducer installed. I wanted to throw a set of castor wheels on the boat and sound around the shed for a test

[ric]

sealed up the rear deck space.

[ric]

I spent the time making sure to get the flotation in as tight as possible - less room for a salty death. cutting and fitting the foam took a lot longer than I thought.

I used an offcut and placed it in a bucket with some old engine oil and petrol. Solvents did not effect the foam - as expected. it sat in the bucket for a week.

[ric]

helm/galley area being seal welded.

conduits all in for cross over under deck + transducer cable, power, fresh water and the wiring for the pumps (deckwash and bait tank) all in conduits. spare rope in to incase I wish to add something later on.

[ric]

onto the good bits now!!

Dummy fitting around the helm seat and bench seat (on port side).
Galley all tacked in place.
The pics show the 125L fibre glass esky, and the one under the helm seat is a 65l fibre glass.

Over the top of the 125l is a bench seat. the backing of the seat will come down to form a double bed. In total we can sleep 4 in comfort.

[ric]

Last bit of todays work. Fitted the final 4 handles to the roof, plus the roof rod holders.

I ended up mounting the rod holders on the side of the roofline as I intend to carry kayaks, crab pots etc on the roof. If I put the rod holders at the back of the roofline, it would of made it hard as the kayak will overhang the both ends of the roofline.

[ric]

Hope you all enjoy the pics.
Plans for the next month are as follows:

1. Finish the anchor well ready for the winch.
2. Prep final bits for internal sand blast.
3. then onto the absolute pleasure......bogging and fairing the sides. there's about 2 bloody acres to do!

thanks everyone,

Ric

[ric]

Basically all welding is complete apart from the bow rail now.

Plan is, 180 grit orbital sand the sides, then bog, then etch prime, then paint primer then paint? Sound about right?

The unpainted bits will be very lightly sandblasted.

[Pimp A Shrimp]

airmar thru hull transducer installed. I wanted to throw a set of castor wheels on the boat and sound around the shed for a test

Ric - How do you manage / locate a thru hull transdcuer into one of the hulls when driving on / off your boat trailer? Concerns over damaging the unit.

Thanks Andrew