SibLim update

  • 04 Feb 2019 21:00
    Reply # 7146383 on 4315719

    "Making the cabin sole is definitely one of the 'lolly jobs' and I am so pleased with the end result.  The tigerwood sands to a beautifully, satiny finish that feels lovely under one's bare feet."

    Is the cabin sole to be left untreated? Does tigerwood keep its looks when left exposed?

  • 04 Feb 2019 19:48
    Reply # 7146134 on 7143534

    David wrote:

    Still, I think you'd benefit from having that area outboard of the board cases horizontal, to aid in coming aboard with bags of stores.


    (I’m not sure what happened to the blue background. I’m having heaps of problems with this website on my computer; whenever I type, it ignores the space bar, which drives me mad!)

    Yes, you’ve mentioned this before, David, but I don’t see it myself. The bilge board cases are forward of the widest beam of the boat, which means that the dinghy would have no protection at all while I am trying to stand up and unload things. Also, I would imagine I would tend to go forward alongside the guard rails,which would mean stepping down and up again, on the way. What I can’t lift over the cockpit bulwark, I could probably dump down next to the outboard motor. I also intend to have a good boarding ladder

     
  • 03 Feb 2019 09:11
    Reply # 7143534 on 4315719

    " I find people's attitude to the camber a bit of a puzzle.  When the boat is heeling, you can walk on the weather deck and have a pretty level area to move along.  When the boat is upright, you can walk along the centre line (sail permitting).  I don't see the issue myself, but the camber draws a lot of negative comment."

    I find it a puzzle, too. When Tystie was in build, David Thomas was very nervous about going onto the foredeck - and he was a skilled, experienced sailor. I think it's because the toerail wasn't there yet. Once I'd put on a high toerail, the perception changed. Still, I think you'd benefit from having that area outboard of the board cases horizontal, to aid in coming aboard with bags of stores.

    Wonderful work on the interior! This isn't at all like the picture that I had in mind when I was designing - it's much, much better!

  • 02 Feb 2019 23:12
    Reply # 7143115 on 4315719

    I've finally brought my  blog up to date.  You will probably be as relieved as I am to know that the interior is just about completed.


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  • 07 Jan 2019 23:33
    Reply # 6988176 on 4315719

    There is certainly a difference where the paint or varnish is too. I am more likely to have varnish inside than out... The varnished rub rail on the 16 footer though nice enough wood will probably end up black (Hmm, red topsides, grey deck with black trim?) The console started out varnished as well, but looks so bad now it will probably end up either black or charcoal.

    For an interior, varnished wood is ok for a head liner... if it is prefinished (before I buy it) but I would probably do all trim as painted.

    These pics are after 10 years... the paint is ok... the varnish not so much. (the little boy is now pretty much the same size as his dad)
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    Last modified: 07 Jan 2019 23:38 | Anonymous member
  • 07 Jan 2019 18:59
    Reply # 6987709 on 4315719

    Which David do you agree with, David??

    Ah well.  Maybe it's because I've done so much varnishing, which is always designated as a "pink job", but I don't find it any more difficult to prepare than paint work.  You have to use some sort of filler in the gaps, whichever coating you're using.  Moreover, one thick coat of epoxy and two good coats of varnish are sufficient, inside, whereas I need at least 3 coats of paint over the epoxy and sometimes four.

    I didn't really say what I meant, about paint showing the dirt.  What I should have said was that paint stains and discolours over time, while varnish doesn't.  Trying to keep the galley deckhead over the cooker white, has always been a losing battle, but any varnish in the same area just wipes clean.  (I've also found a Formica galley top stains much more readily than a varnished one which, once again, just wiped clean rather than requiring copious applications of Jif.)  Equally, scuff marks show more readily on paint than on varnish, and I find it easier to touch up small areas of damaged varnish than paint.  The fading of wood inside is much more gradual than outside, from my experience and I don't recall ever having an issue with water staining: the epoxy helps prevent this.

    However, at the end of the day, I simply love the appearance of varnished wood.  It gives me a huge amount of pleasure to contemplate the grain and the variations of colour.  I find something calming about it, so that coming below from an outside world of wind, waves and rain enhances the feeling of snugness when the hatch is closed tight.  For me, time invested now results in enduring satisfaction in the future.  Even if paint were a faster alternative, it would only lead me to wishing I hadn't been so impatient.  I get a big kick out of choosing which pieces of wood to put where, but I certainly don't try and match them.  On the contrary, I love the contrast of the different types. It's great to be building a thing of utility, but for me, the icing on the cake is building something which, to my eyes (the only ones that count) is also beautiful.  I would add, that I have no aspirations towards perfection: my creation has many flaws and I know my limitations.  A country cottage look, perhaps, but I'd prefer it if neither of us is distressed!

    In truth, I feel no reason to justify my choice: it's as personal a decision as the clothes you wear - some like colours and patterns, some like dark and neutral. 

    On the other hand, for anyone considering how to finish their boat's interior, it is, in fact, a perfectly rational choice.  But maybe, at the end of the day, varnishing is a "pink" job, because the love of varnish is a "pink" thing!

    Last modified: 07 Jan 2019 19:38 | Anonymous member
  • 07 Jan 2019 09:19
    Reply # 6986788 on 4315719

    I agree with David. In my opinion the order of importance is 1. Strong, 2. Watertight, 3. As pretty as patience and energy levels allow/dictate. As I get older and more decrepit the level of finish I have the energy to achieve reduces accordingly. Annie amazes me with her capacity to go on achieving the level of finish she does, and the patience she has to achieve it. 

  • 07 Jan 2019 08:24
    Reply # 6986759 on 6986066
    Annie wrote:
    Len wrote: I would have painted everything in sight to avoid having to get things perfect. Painting means I can use filler to cover mistakes. 
    Actually, Len, I have to completely disagree with you there.  If you paint something, the surface has to be perfect - paint shows all the wee nicks and dents in the wood, but varnish tends to disguise them. And paint takes a lot more work to keep clean!
    Actually, Annie, I have to completely disagree with you there. If you clear finish something, it exposes mercilessly any shortcomings in crafts(wo)manship, including the need to fill gaps with a microballoon mix, etc., and with gloss varnish, all the wee nicks and dents reflect the light and stand out like a sore thumb. You can't get away with anything, and have to spend an age of careful work (as you are doing) to get woodwork into a fit state to varnish. And that includes choosing and matching timbers very carefully (as you are doing). In time, the wood fades in the sunlight or darkens with water staining, and looks bad. There's nothing that looks so bad as varnish that's beginning to separate from the timber., as it breaks down due to UV exposure.
    A satin or matt paint finish, on the other hand, will go over anything, unattractive timber such as okoume plywood, large gaps filled with structural filler, and generally mask all manner of imperfections. And done right, on high build primer that's easy to rub down flat, it's much quicker. More work to keep clean? No more work than with varnish, dirt's dirt, whatever surface it's on. 
  • 07 Jan 2019 04:48
    Reply # 6986521 on 6986249
    Deleted user
    Len wrote:
    Len meanwhile looks to join wood butchers anonymous...
    Wood butchers forever! Our previous home was an old country church which we converted to a house. The original construction was 'country basic', so everything I did in the church was in keeping with the original sort of rough construction. This was twenty something years ago when 'distressed' finish was all the rage - boy, did I embrace the distressed finish philosophy! Certainly in my new catamaran build I am not aiming for perfection so much as well built and strong, (but not heavy!). But when I look at the recent photos of Annie's build and the level of detail she is achieving I think I could do with a little more patience when it comes to building and finishing a boat.
    Last modified: 07 Jan 2019 04:49 | Deleted user
  • 06 Jan 2019 23:37
    Reply # 6986249 on 6986066
    Annie wrote:
    Len wrote: I would have painted everything in sight to avoid having to get things perfect. Painting means I can use filler to cover mistakes. 
    Actually, Len, I have to completely disagree with you there.  If you paint something, the surface has to be perfect - paint shows all the wee nicks and dents in the wood, but varnish tends to disguise them. And paint takes a lot more work to keep clean!
    Len meanwhile looks to join wood butchers anonymous...
       " ...there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in junk-rigged boats" 
                                                               - the Chinese Water Rat

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