From Pete Heading: 'Best wishes for 2015 to all those involved in the St Ayles Skiff build. We have about three weeks before everyone scatters for the Tawe Nunnugah, Wooden Boat Festival, return raid and of course the St Ayles Skiff Regatta. The job list is still pretty long - breast hooks, gunwhales, thwarts , rudder and tiller , floorboards and stretchers, rowlocks and rowlock holders and a long list of painting and varnishing jobs so all are welcome - Wednesdays and Fridays 10 tiill 2 although I'm usually there at 8.30 for the keen early starters. The first day of the build for 2015 involved shaping the breasthooks and fitting them snugly into both ends of the boat - a fairly tedious and exacting process- a varnished finish meaning our joinery work will be visible for ever and a day. Of course the oars had to have one more coat of varnish - they're going to cop a thrashing judging by the long list of crews lining up to use "Imagine"at the moment and hanging out to use this new boat when she finally hits the water. Name suggestions are starting to be bandied about - I'll stay out of that one !'  |