DECKING

I've fitted a 2 x 1/2 inch hardwood rubbing strip around the outside off the gunwale. This will serve three purposes.

1. Stops the boat chaffing against hard surfaces.

2. Looks decorative when varnished.

3. Stops feet slipping of a wet deck.

The third point needs some explaining. There isn't much room for walking along the narrow deck/walkway on Seagull: it's only six inches wide: running around the gunwale.

When at sea, feet can slip on the deck, the hazard being worse when getting around the Cuddy (see photo - ignore loose pieces of wood).

I've made the Rubbing-strip high enough to provide a 'fence' around the edge of gunwale that rises one inch above the gunwale. Inside the fence I am inserting a top decorative decking of the same cedar the hull planking is made from.

From the left: hardwood rubbing-strip, first cedar plank and gunwale

When the cedar decking is in place, the rubbing-strip will still be a 1/2 inch higher than the planks: stopping feet slipping over the sides of the walkway.

I have also made and fitted the control console mentioned in the previous posting.