Bending Coamings: A Reasonable Success

The old man (me) fine tuning the form for the stern coaming

My son James and I began this AM to set up our steamer and begin steaming the coamings.  The first try was a failure. Even tho we timed our steaming carefully, waiting until the box was up to temp of 200 degrees or more, the piece broke.  I think it was more our handling than the fault of the process.

The steam box, plywood wind screen in place. The whole process was plagued by equipment failure. The borrowed turkey boiler worked well for a while, then it didn't. I bought a new one,tried to refill the  gas tank only to find it was out dated and they would not refill it, bought a new tank—it goes on and on.  Altogether a success but I hope never to have to do it again!

The first attempt ended in failure

The bow coaming in place—the second try was a success

Coaming in place but needs to be adjusted, will wait until it dries a bit before I move it

So glad my son was there to help, the extra set of hands...

Looking at these shots reminds me I still need to finish painting way up in the bows

The meat thermometer went way beyond 190

Below, my son James—hands like vice grips

The only failure on the stern coaming, a slight fiber or two broke away but went right back with the little clamp.  Epoxy will cure that when it all dries out.

Not sure what this last pic is.  

Some Progress and Some Regression

Using multiple 45 degree street ells I was able to turn the wires 180 degrees to make a water resistant connection for the top of the shaft. Next I installed a disconnect to join the motor to the control head.

Here is the fix on the battery compartment

 The regression occurred when I realized the batteries I selected would not fit into the opening under the center thwart.  I solved the problem by adding bread board ends to the seat and widening the opening to 26 and one quarter inches.  Just enough for two 13 inch batteries weighing 59  pounds each.

Sorry about this, I don't know why the pictures of the seat remodel were inserted between the others but I am not smart enough to change it.

Here is the connector from the motor to the control head.  a clumsy place to work and solder the bits but it is done.  Very close to connecting the batteries and seeing if it works.