Category: Boats

After my husband began building his Scamp sailboat last spring at the Northwest Maritime Center last March, I promised occasional updates on its progress. Although he’s put in plenty of time and effort, there hasn’t been much to show. But after some recent interior seal coats, I thought the project deserved an update.

Most of what you see above is the result of hours of work performed by one man standing folded over and working upside down. All of the interior joints have been filleted (filled with an epoxy mixture), taped, and then sanded. Then there was an interior seal of three coats of epoxy with color added. A little sanding on the exterior of the stern. Interior fittings have also gotten seal coated. And three rows of reef nettles have gone on the sail. While waiting for the epoxy to cure (akin to the speed of molasses in January) he’s also been working on the mast and rigging.

My husband has gone through epoxy almost like a large family drinks milk: by the gallon. There’s a gallon jug of epoxy resin under our Christmas tree. Santa understands.

Last month my husband had an opportunity sail in a Scamp sailboat on Port Townsend Bay. As a bonus he got to sail with its New Zealand designer John Welsford who was in town to assist with Scamp Camp build #4 at the Northwest Maritime Center. Welsford is shown above in the yellow life jacket. The other sailor is not my husband. My timing was off.

For those of you who’ve followed this blog for a while, the Scamp that my husband is building is moving ahead slowly but surely. She has gotten numerous coats of epoxy, many sandings, and lots of other unglamorous processes that are making her into a boat. Nothing cool or dramatic to show you beyond growing piles of empty resin cans and stuff like that.