The Sea Nation

Ikaroa

All the Stringers Finally in Place

I finally fitted all the stringers, checking them with 9 mm plywood before epoxying them in place. The last 5 mm cut was a careful one—sometimes slower is safer.

Ikaroa

She’s Starting to Look Like a Boat

I changed the perspective today, and she is starting to look well—almost like a boat.

Ikaroa

Checking the Stringer Flow Before Fitting

I’m taking the slow, careful route with the stringers, using partitions and mast knees to control their flow and avoid surprises later. Trusting and checking beats trusting alone.

Ikaroa

Why I’m Switching to Stainless Washers

I’m replacing mild steel washers with A4 stainless ones for the next hull side, after discovering how much easier they make removing stuck screws. I’ve upgraded to TORX screws too, so we’ll see how much trouble that removes.

Ikaroa

Fitting the Lower Stringers

I’m fitting the lower stringers while somehow working at both ends of the hull and in the middle. Earlier mistakes have made the job considerably more painful, so I’ve had to get creative.

Ikaroa

Glass Reinforcement for the Partition

I reinforced the joint between the two partition pieces with small glass patches, while getting ready to continue with the stringers and beam cuts.

Journal

Help Me Get Ikaroa Out

I’m building an all-electric catamaran with off-the-shelf equipment and trying to get Ikaroa out of the workshop before winter. Membership helps us reach that goal, with behind-the-scenes posts, Discord access and equipment discounts.

Ikaroa

An Ugly Hedgehog Becomes a Partition

I’m starting to like the ugly hedgehogs appearing around my workshop. This one is becoming a partition wall, a seat and a navigation cupboard between the main cabin and toilet/shower.

Ikaroa

Bulkhead 8 and the Shower Bilge

I’ve fitted Bulkhead 8 in both hulls, epoxied the lower stringers and started building up the shower bilge with epoxy, glass bubbles and microspheres. Next up are more partitions, a seat and cupboard bottom, and plenty more cutting.

Ikaroa

A Shower Tray in the Starboard Hull

I changed plans, finished the first stringer work and fitted a compact shower tray in the starboard hull. Function won over appearance, as usual, with a small bilge pump tucked underneath.

Ikaroa

Our Workshop Adopted a Hedgehog

Our workshop adopted a hedgehog: a gloriously spiky collection of clamps holding the timber together.

Ikaroa

Stringers, Long Tape and a Revised Plan

I reached for the 30-metre tape to measure the long stringers, then discovered the week’s carefully arranged plan needed turning upside down. The lower stringer has to go in before I can cut the beam-through bearers, so that is now the job.

Ikaroa

Bulkhead 8 and the Hull Sides

After a few rough days, I’m back working full time. Bulkheads 8 are cut and epoxied for both hulls, with deck-stringer supports underway and hull sides coming next.

Ikaroa

Matching Bulkhead 8 to the Sterns

I’m correcting for a badly placed rear bulkhead by matching bulkhead 8 to the sterns that actually exist. It’s not affecting the boat itself, but it is making the job considerably more awkward.

Ikaroa

Busting Myths About Amine Blush

I’m clearing up a few persistent myths about amine blush, including how to detect it and remove it properly. Water, detergent and a microfibre cloth will do the job—just do it before sanding.

Ikaroa

The Workshop Gets Smaller Again

My workshop is getting harder to work in as Ikaroa grows. I’m epoxying trays, partitions and ladder parts, with the next big jump still waiting on more seats, shelves, stringers and bulkhead 8.

Ikaroa

Making the Mast Knees Identical

Mast knees are supposed to be identical. I’ve now corrected that small departure from the instructions—and common sense.

Ikaroa

Making Tools for Smooth Epoxy Fillets

I’m finally making the filleting tools I should have made months ago, using old plastic buckets, scrap plywood and a saved paintbrush handle. We’ll see whether they produce the smooth, elegant fillets promised by Gougeon’s book.

Ikaroa

Full-Size Templates Fit the Hull

I templated the full-height plywood piece and was pleasantly shocked by how closely the plans matched the real hull. After some nerve-wracking cutting, the doors matched perfectly and the piece was ready for epoxy.

Ikaroa

Mocking Up the Galley Worktops

I’m using scrap material to mock up the galley, working out the worktop, sink, induction hob and cupboard dimensions before I cut the lower shelf. After a nasty cold, I’m slowly getting back to work and have also dry-fitted the remaining top stringers and started the collision locker hatch.

Ikaroa

Cutting Stringers Without Ruining Everything

I’m fitting the stringers, carefully cutting both ends to the right length and angle while building in a few fail-safes. I’m also finding 2mm copper wire much better than cable ties for holding things together.

Ikaroa

A Twelve-Metre Stringer, Finally in Place

I wrestled a spectacularly bendy 12-metre stringer into place on my own. With the deck line finally appearing, there are only seven more to go.

Ikaroa

My Workshop Meets the Upper Hull Stringers

I’ve reached the upper-hull stringers, and my supposedly large workshop is suddenly too small. With limited sawhorses and space for only four stringers, I’ll be working on one hull at a time.

Ikaroa

Templating the Scary Plywood Partition

I’m back to the scary stuff: templating the main cabin partition before committing my limited 12mm plywood. It needs to be right before I can build the shelves and seats around it.

Ikaroa

Finding the Right Cabin Table Height

I’m fitting bulkhead 5, shelf bearers and intricate mast beam knees, while testing the table position that will double as my office. After a few tries, I’ve found a comfortable place to sit inside the hull.