Betwixt

 The water tank under the engine was painted with pond paint and the cover was sealed and fitted. Then the engine was lifted into place and bolted in.

 The cockpit floor was made off the boat, so much easier to do the Jeffries marine glue this time.  A treasured piece of Iroko was used to make the rudder and the bowsprit.  The rudder required some precise manufacturing and fitting of stainless steel straps and bolts, and it fitted, perfectly.  The messy job of glueing in the insulation inside the boat continued and finally sanding off the excess glue runs and painting the insulation with several coats of pva. Looking good. Rudder taking shape Starting the rudder Shaping the bowsprit Making the cockpit floor and sealing with the marine glue

 Correspondence between the naval architect and John.

 The plans for our boat the Departure 35 were ordered and received in December 1986 from naval architect Charles Wittholz, USA.  John wanted a steel hull and a wood deck, so he began by going on a welding course, and it all started in the garage of a little house in Malvern.  When the structure needed more space we moved to a small farm in Grassmere.  There the 35ft framework took shape, John working weekends and evenings.  After a year of commuting to work in Johannesburg we decided to move, boat and all, to a plot in Olifantsvlei.  There from 1989, the steel sheets were added and time for the wood deck.  John needed to learn woodwork so he decided to learn by doing and made a few pieces of furniture.  Touch Wood Garden & Patio Accessories was born specialising in fine outdoor furniture, crafted to withstand the harsh South African weather (and possibly the sea!) Then we happened upon a lovely plot down the road which we decided to buy, and s...