Ginger Part III, the cockpit

 

Ginger Part III, cockpit

What a mess I'd gotten myself into but I now understood (pretty much) the extent of the damage so it was time to start rebuilding. First, the shaft log, (that’s the part of the boat that the propeller shaft goes thru) was split and would leak when Ginger went back into the water so I bored it out and inserted 2 dowels into the shaft log that will act as stop-waters. Stop-waters are wooden dowels that are inserted across joints and swell up enough to stop water from getting thru the joint area (they act as wooden plugs).

Drilling out the shaft log. (It is under the cockpit and had to be repaired first.)

Then it was time to repair the motor hatch area and install a new floor to the cockpit. I used exterior grade plywood with the ends sealed in epoxy for the floor and the bulkhead. I cut the floor to shape and carefully fitted the panels into place. Next, came the new bulkheads that I shaped and fitted into place. Even though it was very early in the rebuild process, Ginger started to look like a boat again.


The engine opening was strengthen and closed up a bit to give better foot room in the cockpit.

the new floor in place

First bulkhead cut out

Both bulkhead panels in place

Then it was on to the rotted cabin side. I cut out the rot and glued in new mahogany inserts into the old cabin side, repaired all of the screw holes then installed the cabin side back onto Ginger. (note, the new deck canvas is alread installed.) A new piece of wood in the cabin top edge made her cabin structure sound again.

Lots of screw holes to repair

Putting the side back on

 

Sides on and the top repair ready to go on.

Lots of screws!

 With this done, it was time to tackle the planking and major timber issues.