Flotation and Finishing the Seats

I have finally decided on what I will use for flotation.   In photos 167-170 you will see that I decided to use milk jugs and various plastic containers (obviously with the lids still on). 

I also changed my mind about the storage beneath the seats of the boat. As you can see in  a couple of the photos, I decided to eliminate the two front storage hatches and I epoxied them closed.  This allowed me to place the plastic containers in 4 of the sections below the seats.  Even though I coated the interior framing and sidewalls under the seats, the elimination of the 2 forward hatches will minimize the likelihood of additional water getting below the seats, not to mention increase the flotation.  As you can see, the hatches were cut fairly large & I will have sufficient room to store life jackets, lines, etc. underneath the seats.

Also during the last week I installed the first 1/2" X 3/4" strip of wood trim on the top of the side walls.  On the outside of the sidewall I have initially placed a 1/4" X 1" piece of trim.  Eventually I will place a piece of molding on top of that piece of trim to serve as a rub rail. Inside of the sidewall I will laminate at least four strips of 1/2" X 3/4" wood trim.  I can't remmber what that part of the boat is called but it should be of sufficient width for any block & hardware installation.  I have clamped a few of the pices in place and I think I will be pleased with the final look.  Those photos will come in a later post.

 This weekend I will attempt to complete the daggerboard box / case.  My goal is to get this boat in the water by the first weekend in October!