Getting Ready for #2

Paolo, Stuart (standing), and Don are inspecting the bow thruster tube installation.
(Left to Right) Jamie, Phil, and Dave are discussing the plumbing runs that will be under the forward cabin sole. These are all pre assembled out of the boat to make the installation process more efficient. After this discussion, it was decided to change to a better plumbing material. We felt that the type used as seen in the picture might be prone to leaks in the future.

Above is one half of the fuel tank mold. The laminators are doing the dry stack prior to infusing the part.

Not letting any grass grow under their feet, the lamination department is re-assembling the mold in preparation of molding hull #2.

The new building that we moved the hull to is only going to be used for hull #1. It has been difficult playing "musical buildings" for the last several months but space large enough and tall enough to build yachts is a bit scarce these days. With 12 (plus or minus) boat builders in Skagit county, a lot of the prime real estate has already been leased out. To combat that, we are adding on to our facility on Route 20 across the street from the Farmhouse Restaurant, a local landmark. Here is another angle. This addition is about 13000 square feet and will provide ample room as we ramp up production. The portion of the completed building shown on the right is where the CMS 5-Axis milling machine is. Eventually, we will again move the production to yet another facility as the new building here will be used for mold production.

Here is the view from the front of the complex. As you can see, while under construction, parking is at a premium. We now have over 50 employees working at 3 different facilities. We plan to be in the new building some time in late April or early May.

Arise...go forth...and conquer....

It has been a few days since I added to this blog, but things have been progressing. As you can see from the picture to the left, the hull is now completely out of the mold and is being prepared for moving to the building where it will be completed. The building where the hull was laid up is not tall enough to "stack" the boat. Stacking is the term used to install the superstructure and pilothouse. The hydraulic trailer has been positioned here and they will lift the boat up to remove the tunnel molds which have been keeping the boat secure.

In the picture to the right the tunnel mold has been removed and the trailer is being repositioned to lift the boat. This operation takes quite some time as the trailer must be positioned perfectly centered and the two rails must pass on either side of the keel without touching it while the trailer is backed into place.



The hull has been secured to the trailer and now to get it out the door. I sure hope someone measured carefully. (just kidding) But it was a tight fit. Only a few inches on either side to spare. I looks like we will have to get a building with a bigger door before we begin the 52 or 62 which are considerably wider.

Wow....it sure looks big when you get it outside.......

It is just a short trip to the new building...

Almost there!!!!


.....and here is the hull in the new building.