After months of welding, back gouging, and grinding. The 75 foot long piece of steel is pulled into shape.
Longitudinals and 3″ pipe stiffeners added.
Jig for aligning and pulling pipe into place.
Bow Lifted
Folding the hull
Folding the hull Part 1
First Chine
Tack welds along the chine
First side is tacked together
Folding the Hull Part 2
Side 2
Dirty Work
Sides are flipped over to complete welds
Grinding the surface clean prior to welding
Back gouging the joint down to clean metal.
Completed upper chine
Chine Transition
One thing I can tell you is you got to be Free.
Come together, right now, over me. The Beatles
We are elated to see the hull rise up out of the yard and tower over our heads. Many thanks to Super Dave and Mike for their assistance. You can’t get better friends especially ones that help you build your dream and trust that you will see it through to completion.
Measuring from the aft end to find a joining point.
Super Dave marks off 21 feet on each side.
Skid pipes laid under the joint. They let the two halves slide together easily and we can plasma cut the joint when needed.
Super Dave trimming the sides to fit.
Mike Grinding
Memorial Day 2012
Jezebel inspects the bow end
Bow closing up
Folding the hull Part 4
Tools: 1.5t chain winch, crow bars, grinders,
cut off blades, welder, and a big hammer.