The original bottom board bearers were cut away during the removal of the centerplate case sides and now need to be replaced so that the bottom boards are correctly located.
After measuring carefully several times the required bearers were cut from Sapele.
Four of the bearers had chamfers cut into one corner such that the bearers sat over the Sikaflex sealant used on the case assembly.
Time for a cup of tea.
Pilot and clearance holes were drilled in the correct places, countersunk where required and the bearers fixed in place using screws and sealant.
The sealant was used in this context as an adhesive rather than a sealant.
Two shorter bearers were fitted under the bridge deck. On the starboard side this is to support the aft end of the main cabin bottom board.
On the port side this is to support the bottom of the battery locker.
In the main cabin, the bearer consists of two pieces. The lower one, the same size as the runner at the bottom of the centerplate case and fitted alongside it, is the bearer itself upon which the bottom board rests.
The second piece is fitted on top of the runner and prevents the bottom board from moving sideways.
All this, despite the dearth of photos, took a surprisingly long time, most of the day in fact. The measurement and the cutting had to be done carefully since these are the last pieces of Sapele that I have in the wood store and if I messed these up, it would require buying more.
The screw holes were drilled with pilot holes, clearance holes and countersinks where required so that none of the wood split as the screws were tightened up, including the hog to which the bearers were fixed.
Finally, the assembly was carried our carefully as the sealant gets everywhere and causes a right mess if rushed. It is also expensive and I didn’t want to waste any !
Still, this completes the bearers for the main cabin area. I still have to fit the bearers for the aft end of the bunks and that will be tricky since none of my cramps will fit and I don’t want to use screws if I can avoid it as these would be directly into the sides of the case.
That is tomorrow’s task, that and the sole bearers in the cockpit. There’s no working in the cabin right now as that would be asking for trouble. One moment’s inattention and stepping on the uncured sealant and it gets all over everywhere.
Time for a cup of tea.