While we peck away at our computer keyboards in the Beacon office, our faithful crew and shipwrights have been continuing their hard work up at the boat. If December was all about setup and January was all about demolition, February was the month of frames. From the woodpile to the saw to the plane, one by one, each futtock has been measured, shaped and fastened in place. Tired, rotten frames came out and new, strong ones replaced them. These new frames will provide the solid foundation upon which hundreds of feet of new planking will be laid in the upcoming weeks.
BEFORE
AFTER
And while the futtocks were being churned out, another single, but oh so crucial, piece of timber was measured, cut and skillfully installed – and with no small amount of team effort. Though we thankfully discovered the stem itself to be in great shape, the “stem knee”, the piece that connects the stem to the keel, was ready to go. So Captain Nick and Master shipwright Jim Kricker picked the perfect piece of lumber and got to work. Straight forward to create, yet complicated to remove and install, this key piece of the puzzle got the attention it deserved and a shiny new stem knee now graces the interior bow of the Sloop.
Doesn'l look like much, but it takes a truck to hoist this piece!
And all that was on display for the hardy souls who came out to our February potluckand open boat on Saturday. While the office in Beacon looked like this…
2-3ft.of snow covered everything in Beacon
Saugerties only saw some slushy rain, and more than thirty-five supporters visited us at Lynch’s for a hearty potluck feast and the jumping bluegrass tunes of Rich Hines and the Hillbilly Drifters. The jam session carried on into the night as ever, and we warmed up a chilly winter day with good food and good friends and another successful open boat party.
If you couldn’t make it up to the boat on Saturday but are curious as to what goes on up there, look for more photos in the Sloop’s photo gallery. Also, check back at the website for information on our next Open Boat & Family Day in March. It’s an exciting time up in Saugerties this year and we’re thrilled to share it with you!
