New Proteus under construction

The boat sections are glued and 25gm glass applied to the hull and slow curing. On Tuesday I sanded the boat and clear coated on Wednesday. A small tin of aerosol 2K clear-coat did the job nicely. Thursday is the final sand of the hull with 2000 wet and dry, then polish and finally fit out. I hope to be out sailing by the weekend if there is no rain. Expected corrector weight having weighed all the components is 300+gm.

Fitting out includes a stinger winch and lines, 8 eye bolts, the existing fin/bulb and rigs and a bow bumper.

In the meantime I have been sailing the prototype of the new design which exhibits exactly the same characteristics as Craig's boat that won the M&S regatta at Datchet which was such a delight to sail. I am looking forward to get back to Gosport to see how the boat behaves in gusty top end A rig conditions as well as in the Datchet chop.

Craig has not been idle and following feedback from the elves, added more material to the fin case and created a tray for the battery protecting it from water as well as building into the print file reinforcement for the jib tie down fittings.

It's fascinating watching the development of a design and so satisfying watching it spark into life with the latest changes. Now I just need to get out and practice.

During the above, I had to fix a product of so much sailing and sun exposure when I was young. Two years ago I had the excision of a skin lesion on my cheek. I had two more form on the rim line of a golfing hat on my forehead, one of which was scheduled to be removed today. As luck would have it the surgeon offered to remove both at the same time. A two for one deal so to speak. The operation was successful with a local anaesthetic, but I suffered a very sore forehead in the afternoon and evening and have to stay out of the rain for the next few days. Fingers crossed it will not affect the sailing plans.

Ironically on the way back from the hospital we passed a sign for the Proteus Creation Space.