The Sea Nation

Ikaroa

Dry-Fitting Ikaroa’s Hull Side

I spent another day dry-fitting, sanding, cleaning and drilling a plywood hull panel before it could finally be glued in place. And people wonder why boatbuilding takes so long.

Ikaroa

Choosing the Hard Way to Build Ikaroa

I’m listening to Herb McCormick’s book again and taking Larry Pardey’s wisdom to heart: building a boat is difficult, but I chose this way. So I’m trying not to moan and simply get on with the work.

Journal

Our New Sea Nation T-Shirt

I’ve got a new Sea Nation t-shirt, and Adam is modelling it. Well, “modelling” may be generous—he just washes up.

Ikaroa

The Remaining Hull Panels Finally Fit

I moved into our winter shelter and worked through the remaining hull panels. After all the stress and mistakes, it feels great to see the major joins fitting snugly and precisely.

Journal

Our Early Sea Nation Merchandise Arrives

Our first Sea Nation merchandise arrived: t-shirts and stickers to send to the competition winners, plus fleece jackets and more for anyone interested.

Ikaroa

Another Hull Side Panel On

I got epoxy in my hair, wood shavings everywhere, and the next hull side panel on. The playlist still needs work—Zaz finished before I did.

Ikaroa

Fitting the Bow Parts to Ikaroa

I finally got the bow parts fitted, with Zaz, ABBA and Cohen providing the soundtrack. A great start to the week.

Journal

We Just Connected Our Instagram Account

We’ve connected an Instagram account, so you can find us at @theseantionorg.

Tech

Starlink Arrives in the Workshop

Something very interesting—and extremely important—arrived in our workshop earlier than expected: Starlink.

Ikaroa

Fitting Plywood to the Superstructure

I’m sealing the shape of Ikaroa’s lower hulls, and fitting these large plywood panels has been the most stressful part of the build so far. The last central panel is finally fixed, so I’m taking a week away before returning to finish the hull sides and laminate them.

Sailing

Storm Evert Arrives Late

Storm Evert, the first named storm of the year, arrived late after a calm 7 am start. We’re now seeing gusts up to 40 knots and a rather less calm sea.

Ikaroa

Powered by Dreams and Caffeine

We reckon coffee accounts for 0.5% of the whole boatbuilding budget. Hence the slogan: “Powered by dreams. And caffeine!”

Ikaroa

Counting the Hours on Ikaroa

I’m finding Hanneke Boon’s ballpark estimate of 2,000 hours to build a Tiki 38 surprisingly accurate. Add another 4,000-plus hours for cleaning the workshop afterwards.

Ikaroa

Why I Turn Expensive Timber into Sawdust

I sometimes wonder whether boatbuilding looks like a completely pointless exercise: putting time and money into expensive timber, only to turn it into wood shavings.

Tech

A Bread Maker for Our Gluten-Free Galley

We’re testing a bread maker for our gluten-free galley, with timed baking and modest power use making fresh bread possible at the boatyard. I just need to remember to switch it on.

Ikaroa

There Is No End to Sanding

I’m tidying the stringers, sanding the backbone side battens and filling all those little holes before the hull sides go on. Laminating may offer a brief respite, but more sanding is already waiting afterwards.

Ikaroa

How Many Clamps Does Boatbuilding Need?

I thought I knew how many clamps we needed for Ikaroa. I was wrong—and this was only a small selection.

Ikaroa

Torturing Stringers To Relieve Stress

We’ve already tortured two stringers, with six more waiting their turn. No stringers were seriously harmed in making these photos.

Ikaroa

After Months of Work, the Hulls Sit Straight

It feels so good when months of work confirm that I’ve done at least some things right—and the hulls aren’t listing to one side.

Ikaroa

Reorganising the Boatyard for More Plans

I finally need more than one sheet of plans at a time now that I’m working in 3D. Clearly, the boatyard had to be reorganised.

Sailing

Nimrod Stuck in Ramsgate Weather

The hotel has drained us, so we took our 24ft little ship Nimrod back towards the South Coast for somewhere cheaper to sleep. We are now stuck in Ramsgate because she does not enjoy this weather straight on the nose.

Ikaroa

Long Battens for Ikaroa’s Stringers

I explain why I chose better boatbuilding timber for Ikaroa, including long made-to-order battens that mean I only need to scarf one stringer.

Ikaroa

Bulkheads Set Up, Finally

I’ve finally finished setting up the bulkheads after a few adjustments to the backbone. One more careful check, then I can start epoxying them in—and relax a little.

Ikaroa

I Start Assembling Ikaroa’s Lower Hulls

I finally start assembling the lower hulls now that all the parts are ready—and it’s beginning to look like a boat. I also say goodbye to Kuba, welcome Aśka to the crew, and take a slightly slower week for Pesach.

Journal

Supporting Kuba’s Next Project

I’m supporting Kuba as he heads home to finish his own project after six months helping us build our self-sufficient catamaran. If you support him, you may even get a workshop on designing and automating an off-grid home.