Boatshed

Sam has recorded the beginning of our cypress floor, which extends eastwards from the western wall.

As the old saying goes: well begun – a lot more to do….

You can see the half inch gap between the outside floorboard and the wall: large wooden floors may (or may not) expand and contract according to the season, although native cypress is said to be relatively stable.

The ‘gap’ will  eventually be covered by a low skirting board.

I have chosen to nail into the face of the boards, rather than through the top edge of the tongue (the latter method is called ‘blind nailing’).  After all, this is a boatshed, not a dining room; strength and durability take precedence over appearance….and I expect the same principle will apply to our boats.

 

Here are the western weatherboards, after a first application of decking oil. I will tackle the second coat in a week or so, if there is a dry spell. The oil looks to be primarily Tung Oil, with small additions of Eucalypt, Pine etc.  It gives a lovely, fresh finish, which should change to soft grey over the next few years – especially on the western side of the Boatshed, where the wood will be exposed to the full impact of winter storms and summer heat.

 

….who loved wood, water, rocks, and the wild creatures of land and sea.

 

GIFTS

unlooked for

her gifts
came at the quiet time
wrapped you could say
inside themselves

with certain hands
in mind
and a certain
heart

small gifts
of large worth
to those who favour
the uncarved block

deep gifts
and rare gifts
for those who cherish
simple things

gifts that last the distance
and outlast distance
and keep giving
wonderfully

from within

As you can see, the native cypress weatherboard is finally in place on the western wall. A ribbon of ‘sisalation’, where the purlins lie, will be protected by an 8″x 1 1/2″ barge plank, which defines the edge of the roof.

Tomorrow should be fine, so I will give the weatherboard a coat of plant-based oil. The cypress will eventually turn a gentle grey colour; the oil is meant to provide nourishment – not delay the ‘greying’ process.

Next job: the southern wall frames

….

 

We went in search of more driftwood, and this is what we found….

 

Sam and I have been out and about in search of driftwood.

 

There has been some interesting weather these last few weeks: rain-squalls from the north-west, west, south-west and south. The southerly winds, in particular, were truly fearsome, and on one night (early morning) I felt just a little concerned – not so much for the boatshed, as the shack. But I need not have worried; our shack has weathered serious storms for sixty years. No doubt the boatshed will acquire a similar invincibility, if only by association.

Despite the bleak conditions, I managed to get something accomplished each day – slowly, like the tortoise.

Frames for the western wall, vertical end timbers, and inner window frames are all in place. Various uprights are faired and ship-shape, as Dad would say. The time has come to try my hand at installing the native cypress weather-board.

This cypress is such a beautiful wood. I could go on about it – but instead have asked Sam to take a few photos of one floorboard, in detail. There are many such boards.

You can see in the picture gallery that we have three western windows. The central one is actually a ventilation opening, controlled by wooden shutters. It should be especially useful during summer afternoons, when a gentle breeze, or zephyr, springs up in the west. At the southern end of the Wall is the main window, which provides a passing glimpse of the sea, for inspiration. Not too large – it isn’t a picture window: our chief focus will be on the boat in hand. To the north is a vertical window, framing the  olive branches and sturdy trunk of a sheoak.

So, everything is looking good to my eye, after weeks of finicky workmanship. Next posting will describe the weatherboard cladding.