How I made the catboat "Coot" part 2

Marking the water line. The back end (Stern) is propped 

to the correct height and hopefully she's level on a flat surface.

Test floating in the tub so make sure she floats right. Water line is 

even with the water, keel and servos are placed inside to check positioning. 

Hull has several coats of shellac.

I happened to have some old lead keel bulbs lying around which had already been

recycled from other boats more than once. Luckily the one with the red splotches was 

exactly the right weight. Unfortunately I never got around to measuring it before I sold the boat 

but a new one could be made with lead buckshot mixed with epoxy and poured into a mold. (She's definitely not a racing boat) That way you can easily add or take away buckshot to get the correct weight before pouring. Or you can try one of the RG-65 bulbs available on line. If you go by sail area

she'd be roughly comparable to an RG-65.

Widening the slot for the keel till it fits. Don't worry, you can fill gaps

with epoxy.

getting the shape of the fin from the plan

Shaping the fin, which is cut from 1/4 inch cherry, using a plane,

to be followed by much sanding.

The top end of the fin fits up through the slot and

gets anchored to a bulkhead for added strength.

Deck beams

Rudder tube

Mast steps in a tube.

Transom piece

Fitting rudder shaft to rudder with epoxy.