As I had done the day prior on the port coaming return block, my effort today was on the starboard side of Biscuit's deck. I trimmed the fresh blank of mahogany down to a point where I could then begin to transfer the compound curves of the deck and cabin to the blank itself. Again, a highly iterative process to finally land at the desired dimensions of the very unique coaming return block. The process was identical to the port return block, including numerous trips from shop to paint booth and back to the shop for continued work on shaping the block. All was proceeding very well, and in fact I was able to reduce my overall time in the effort....until! In an effort to trim the upper portion of the block, the material that ran a bit long and required trimming, I matched the angle of the cut by adjusting the compound mitre saw. Half way through the cut the saw blade twisted a bit on the material and kicked the coaming return block out, damaging a couple corners. So after two and half hours of work, the saw decided to set me back!

All was not lost though, I was able to salvage the block with really no trouble. I sanded a couple surfaces down to remove the damage, and then filled two deeper scars with epoxy resin thickened with mahogany dust. I set the starboard coaming block to the side for the evening.

I returned the following afternoon to trim and sand the block down to final dimensions. The repairs came out great, and just happened to be in areas that will be hidden upon installation. I took the starboard coaming block over to Biscuit to test fit in situ. The block fit nicely along the cabin top, the deck, and against the coaming board itself. The only concerning portion was the upper portion, or top of the coaming return block, as it was now a bit below the surface of the top of the coaming board itself. Again, this will be hidden but I did not feel comfortable moving forward without addressing, so I planed a length of mahogany down to roughly 1/4" thickness, removed a section of it to then glue onto the upper surface of the coaming return block. This additional height, once glued on, will sit proud of the coaming block, but will then be sanded down to be in plane with that of the top of the coaming board. This effort to complete the starboard block will unfold this week and will conclude with varnishing.

Caps will be placed onto the coaming board - coaming return block intersection. This decorative cap finishes this portion of the coaming brightwork. The additional work required was very little and was not accounted for in the refit.

Total Hrs: 2.75