Blog

I have started working on the rudder. I bought an extra sheet of 10mm mahogany marine plywood for this. Using the template from the kit, I sawed out the necessary four layers.

First I painted everything with epoxy. I then waited a while to allow the wood to soak in.

I put on thickened epoxy for gluing. A simple tool to get an even layer is a comb. I used wooden dowels to position the layers exactly.

Along the trailing edge of the rudder I added a 2mm thick strip of fiberglass laminate. This allows me to form a nice sharp trailing edge.

When all the layers are on top of each other, press the whole thing together nicely.

I continued with the front compartment. I’m building 5 separate storage lockers.

Fit the vertical panels.

Then the horizontal panels.

Then cut out the holes for the lids. And of course cover all in epoxy.

I had to decide how to install my toilet. Looking forwards

or looking backwards.

All my friends, including fellow 580 builder Fabian (driftingdonkey.ch), were in favour of ‘facing backwards’. Even all the 580s that were already finished with a toilet (most don’t have one) had their toilet installed this way.
So I’m installing mine facing forwards.
It makes sense to me: closer to the centre of rotation of the boat and more headroom. And I can lean back against the bulkhead.

I decided to paint the interior in a mix of blue and white.

I checked whether the mattresses fit. I even slept in the boat!
Ok, we had a party in the workshop and it was getting late…

I’m in the process of building the extra storage spaces next to the bunks. I put in small structures to hold the covers in place.

This is how it will look when it’s finished.

Time for a little break. This is my favorite place in the cockpit. The angle of the frame is just perfect.

Before I order the hatches, I wanted to try out which size I need. Firstly, I made a hole in the smallest size I was considering.

I could fit through it, but I’d better go for a bigger one.
That way I can get through the bulkhead easily.

Another detail: I made rails on the bunk-sides. They keep the mattresses in place. The holes are for attaching lee clothes (piece of cloth or net that is fitted between bunk side and roof, to stop me rolling out of bed when the boat is heeling).

A very important part for my boat has arrived!

Of course it’s not installed yet. But that will be the place it will be.

I decided to install a proper toilet after all.
That was actually my original plan. But then I changed my mind to save time and keep it simple. But now I have a bit more time. And I saw Michael Moyer’s boat (a participant in the Transat 2023), which has a toilet and I really like it. I’d also like to take someone on a cruise one day, so I don’t just want to have a bucket at my disposal. Enough reasons to change my plan again!

Here’s where I will put the toilette:

So I cut a piece out of one of the partitions to make room.
How am I going to finish the boat if I start changing it while it’s still under construction?!

In the meantime, I’m still working on the galley and the chart table. Lots of work on small details, for example filling screw holes and making fillets. Not everything is absolutely necessary, but I want to build a beautiful boat that I can be proud of. I hope you can see the difference in the end.

All parts of the galley ready for assembly. Like everything I put in the boat they were covered in epoxy and then sanded.

I started with the chart table opposite the galley.

I’m not quite sure about some details of the chart table. While trying to decide if I want a drawer under the table I worked on the cabin sides.

Port side glued and screwed in place.

The underside of the bunks is finished.

I am now preparing all the parts I need for the galley (or kitchen for the landlubbers).