This was a difficult weekend of work.  The temp dropped to near freezing which had a drastic effect on the epoxy.  The GelMagic has to be stored at or near 70 degrees so I ended up taking it home with me each night.  Same with the paint.  The other stuff could tolerate the cold temps but became hard to work with.  The laminating resin was so thick I could hardly pump it.  Then when stirring the air bubbles never came out.  I even had to throw away one batch because I was worried it would not mix properly.

I dealt with the cold temps by putting the epoxy in the back of my Subaru and then parking so the sun shined in the rear window to warm up the car.  I put the epoxy in the direct sunlight in the cargo area.  This worked well but took a couple of hours.

While the epoxy was warming up I was able to finish the aka side and top/bottom pieces.


Here is the jig for finishing off the rabbets for the bottom/top pieces. 


There's blood shed making this boat.  Those router bits are sharp.  At least I didn't lose a finger.


Here is the result - finally.  They turned out pretty nice.  I hope putting them together is easier - and quicker - than making the pieces.  -- OOOPS  I still have to make the plugs for the ends!?!?!?!?

I also was able to finally get the cockpit sole installed in the vaka.


Here the framing is epoxied in and the floor is covered with tape and plastic.


Each section has to be prepped by coating the bottom with epoxy.  That is about to be done here.


Here the aft section of the floor is glued down with EZ-Fillet.  I used convenient kitty litter as weights.  I have four cats so this stuff can be put to good use.


After the aft section cured for a few hours I installed the forward section.

I also finished cutting out the three pieces that get bonded together for the manu.  I wanted to skin the outside of at least one ama, but I ran out of epoxy.  My bad and this really hurts my chances for finishing in time.

Oh, I almost forgot, I started making the pieces for the boom.

        

 

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