It has taken me a long time to prepare the garboard planks for my dinghy build. Paradoxically, these first planks are the hardest to fit. Various small projects and other distractions have drawn things out far longer than I care to say. However, I did manage to get the required “fag paper fit.” Of course, the second side took half the time of the first!

I have been fortunate to have help from a couple of friends, Matthew and Richard (of Grumpy Shed Productions fame) to pre-drill and then fit the planks.

I have used Arbokol 1000 polysulphide as a bedding compound, copper roved nails through the plank and hog, and silicon bronze gripfast nails to fit the plank to the apron, stem and transom edge.

I am somewhat disappointed that there is a 1mm gap between the hood end of the planks and the stem but, overall, it has gone as well as I dared to hope.

I have a few projects to get done for Christmas, but hope to increase the planking pace in the New Year!

Just over a year ago, I spent a day with Stephen Stokes learning how to carve letters. He is an excellent teacher, and I can recommend his courses to anyone interested in the subject (he teaches woodturning too). My reason for doing the course was to be able to carve the name on the transom of the dinghy I am building.

But why leave it there?

This sign for my friend Richard, who got me into woodturning, is always at the front of his stall at craft fairs. Apparently it draws people in, and has no doubt increased his sales!

Not an original idea, but one of Stephen’s, is this short but so-true phrase:

My latest effort was for a good friend who has started repairing and restoring bicycles, including for charity:

I’m still a novice letter carver, but it’s a totally absorbing and relaxing way to make just a handful of shavings … and something worth looking at.