Boat parts go on...

Some parts go on to get the boat back to where it was. Other parts go on to make the boat a little bit better than it was. (And, truth to tell, some parts go off and on because I'm not always exactly sure what I am doing.)

This particular project falls into the "make the boat a little bit better" category. It was Deb's idea to replace the plastic seat at the nav table with a bench and, while doing so, add some badly needed storage space for her galley. I think it came out rather well. In addition to replacing ugly and giving Deb more space, the bench makes sitting at the nav station much more comfortable and secure, allows better access through the aft cabin door, brightens up that corner of the boat a little bit, and provides a place for a person going "on watch" to get ready. All good stuff for some wood, glue, nails and labor. Many thanks to another Tartan 42 owner who was generous enough to share the design with us.


 

The only trick was that the floor the bench sits on isn't flat. I had to fabricate two long wedges to sit under the aft and port edges. Fortunately they were a near perfect fit on the first try. I might do a little touch-up sanding and stain; then again I might not.

Next? Hatches.