New shop layout and increased efficiency!

This has been and exciting week in the boatshop. Projects for the boat show are coming along and to smooth things out we decided to re-arrange the shop to improve efficiency.

Anton came over Thursday afternoon and we went at it. If you recall the Arthur Murray dance lessons with the dotted lines on the floor - well it was a bit like that to get the big boat turned 90 degrees. It all worked out - just and things are already working better.

you can see forever now

in both directions!

all the saws are closer together now, we can get at the back wall and new uses are in discussion for the back wall. Once everyone settled, lots got done. Wayne was prepping the skiff for it's final coat of primer, George was working on the seats for the skiff, Ray was working on a detail of the TNT, MB was fitting a better trailer under the TNT and sanding out the Richardson for deck varnish

George and Anton on skiff parts

Wayne flats the skiff out

great shot by new volunteer - also George

Ray makes a good point...

Anthony cleans up new donation, an Elgin outboard

and on Sunday the first final coat of varnish went on the Richardson decks, if you know what I mean...

The Police showed up last Saturday...

Which was really great fun. They arranged for 7 young folks to come and sample the kinds of activities that go on in a boatshop. Our volunteers had set up a few stations typical of a Saturday in our place.

Most popular station was the model paddle carving on the new carving benches George whipped up last week. They really worked out well and got a real workout!

Bernie getting the girls started

Roni coaching carving

Brent helps with the fine points

 One of the boys really got good at sanding in prep for final varnish, carefully not destroying the decal - which is easy to do. Very good work done here.

really great job on cedar strip Richardson

Another project that got knocked off was fitting the keel to the skiff using the floor as the anvil for nailing. The trick is to rock the boat so the spot being nailed is supported.

First Anton filled and faired the bottom

Then the keel went on and got nailed

 On the bench Jim had some kids into outboard engine work resulting in two engines made ready for tank testing. Very satisfying when they start!

someone's having fun

and getting results.

Jim on the Gale final touches

Now into an Evinrude 7 1/2

Rory and Anthony assemble a 5 1/2 demonstrator

 As certain projects got to a stage, or if someone just wanted to try something else, they moved to another station to learn something new.

making small parts on the band saw

girls make mahogany plugs

using a drill press is a new skill.

So the volunteers had a wonderful day hosting this group of young people and we'd be happy to have them return another Saturday for more woodwork and engine challenges. We all thank you for joining us, we had a ball.

all smiles and accomplishment!

 Later this same week, two of the young ladies who started carving paddles back at the Life Matters event wanted to return and complete the paddles they started. George and Roni helped them do just that.

the girls did a great job of carving

the new benches were busy this week