Sheer Tube

We did a little test on how to polish the external welds

Then we placed the last piece of sheer tube (50x5) that was missing

Bottom Plates Distortion

After completing the outside weld the was a distortion due to plate elongation.

We tried co adjust it by placing 1500 kg of lead.

Pushing from inside

But finally we decided to cut to release the tension and weld again

It worked pefectly!

Salon Nautic Paris 2011

A visit to Paris before Christmas is always pleasant. A nice plateau of oysters with a good Sancerre!
The nautic expo is a good excuse. By the way it is the only place in Europe where you can see aluminium boats from Allure and Alubat.

Allure has acquired Garcia. They are making this strange combination of aluminium hull with plastic deck and interior. The tecnique reduces costs and allows to create a deck with a look more attractive to modern sailors.

But I would never trust this rail!

I am now looking more at construction details than at appearance. Forepeak of the 45". Clean a little bit "light" construction.

 Nice mast support.

Good finish

Also the 445 Ovni has some interesting ideas

The air conduct for the engine

The rollbar with the tender lift copied from Jean Pierre Brouns idea on the GT40

A solution for the anchor

 But wood is still wood!

BackChipping

Before completing the outside seams we need do do backchipping

Removing the Strongbacks

The internal seam have been welded. The effect of the strongbacks was very positive. The retraction on the weld pulled the strongbacks toward the inside and as a matter of fact generated a compound curvature in the longitudinal direction.

The welding of the outside will complete the work

Meanwhile we positioned the forepeak deck

Rudder Shaft

Meanwhile we completed the rudder shaft

Welding the seams: INSIDE

Before stating to weld we positioned an aspiration device

Then we started welding. I had a lot of thinking on where to start, transversal or longitudinal.
On Robert instructions it said transversal according to Kasten paper on metal boat builing.
But Kasten in his paper says longitudinal first. The topside plates against the radius seams have already a perfect fit and they do not need to bend. If we weld the transversal first they might move and it would be difficult to bring them back in position. And they are in the final position now.
So longitudinal first and let's hope for the best!

Then the transversal radius

And when possible bilateral!