Picara
Still working on the “Mattie
Cooper” (Picara)
almost every day, aft deck is about done. Scrap boards are in
the companionway just to get a feel for the hard top that comes
next.
I will try very hard to keep
the overall height of the boat the same as designed, but with
a hard top and a 24 inch X 24 inch sliding hatch forward and
a 24 inch X 30 inch sliding hatch aft. I plan on cutting one
inch off the top off the slot top rails and then making the
hardtop and hatches about one inch tall. The lost strength due
to cutting the rails will be returned by adding a set of outer
¾ inch rails to contain and hold down the hatches. The
hard top and hatches will be built from a light wood frame and
foam covered with 4 oz glass, the plan is to keep it as light
as possible, but strong enough to serve its purpose.
A set of backrest were added
to the self draining deck / cockpit for comfort. There was enough
room to have a cockpit coaming about 4 inches wide to rest ones
arm on. Together the cockpit coaming and backrest allows about
100 pounds of buoyancy from foam under each backrest. The buoyancy
from the foam should aid recovery from a knockdown as it is
located fairly high above waterline.
The job is getting down to just
a few major jobs, ( leeboard, rudder, and mast mounts) and she
will be ready to paint and rig.
Still greatly enjoying the project.
David W Davis