BUNKY Gets Fixed Ports

Naturally I have the order of the pictures reversed from what I had intended so you are seeing the trim ring first. These brass/bronze? rings were part of salvage from an old sailboat. Not sure what they were used for but now they will become fixed ports on each side of BUNKY's cuddy. This one above is held temporarily in place to show how the finished product will look. The cuddy sides are of 1/4 inch ply, there will be a trim ring inside and out and a piece of 1/4 inch plexi will be held captive between the two. Clearances are tight and leave little room for error so I had to curb my natural tendencies and actually take some time and thought into the process. The following pictures will show the progression.
Here are the rings in pairs with additional holes being bored so that there will be eight fasteners rather than four for each unit.
This show the location of the port on the starboard side, a little beyond the gaping hole is the jig I used for the router to follow for cutting the hole.
The finished hole with eight holes bored at the edge for the fasteners. They will be #8 flat head brass with cap nuts on the inside. Close tolerances required as the width of the trim ring is 9/16 inches. Fortunately BUNKY will not be used offshore so there is no concern for the strength of the ports and the actual diameter of the plexi will be 6 3/4 inches.

Cockpit Almost ready for paint

Nice view of good size open cockpit. Eight feet long including bench seat
Hatch hardware on cabin roof, access port for shifter
Openings in bulkhead for wheel and tach
Doors propped up on block waiting for solid brass hardware

Helm for BUNKY

Closeup of acorn nut and washer made from the base of an antique bathroom faucet that I pulled out of my waste brass bucket. Never throw anything away!

I will double up the 3/8 ply used for the seat base. If I don't use the tractor seat I will just put in a round padded seat, no backrest. Very comfortable sitting or standing at this current arrangement. Shifter is just at the right height for either and there is good clearance between handle and wheel. I am waiting for my switch before I decide where to put it.

Working On The Helm Station On BUNKY

Rough layout of helm. There will need to be a panel to hide control cables under shifter
Pedestal turned from piece of fir 4x4
Tractor seat? Not sure. Holds yer butt pretty securely but not sure about it

A Splashwell Kit Installation

(This is not my boat) This pic shows the kit at the left. The telescoping end of the steering cable is threaded through the support tube and is attached directly to the motor with a clevis kit. The connection of the motor end of the steering cable is threaded onto the end of the kit (out of sight starboard of the splashwell) The length of the support tube is adjustable so that it can be centered with the motor dead ahead and the wheel centered as well. this was a first for me and not sure how I would like it but now that I have dry fit it I am pleased. Not too expensive either and you save the cost of the connecting rod.

Still have snow here in the north country

In the next post you will see the hardware, nearly finished polishing. Next step will be to drill/fill/redrill the holes for the hardware.
Here is the nearly empty woodshed, left side empty and right side has only about half a cord. Snow at right side is about 6 feet high, but today it is +40F. Sun is shining! Time to finish Nina and get her in the water (after the ice goes out!)

Tumblehome Nina Gets Hardware

Bronze cowl vent on top of motor well cover
Motor well hardware set up for easy removal (sheetrock screws will be replaced with appropriate fasteners.
Brass hatch adjuster
Another view of the cowl vent
Cowl vent with his little friends, the cleats and chain pipe. All need a bit more polishing and small dings still harbor corrosion, maybe a job for a dremel tool?