More progress on port float

 It was a productive weekend on the port float.  When working on the starboard float we had to make each of the bits to finish up the float, which took some extra time.  Smartly (okay, it was mostly Dawna's idea), we made two of everything so we would be ready to go on the port float without delay.  Here is a view looking forward of the bow compression member that we made months ago taped in place.  As with so many tasks on the float interiors, the compression member had to be taped in place working through a small access port.  Thankfully, Justus von Liebig invented the silver-backed mirror in 1835 so I could see what I was doing!  Now I can seal up the access port and be that much closer to a date with a fairing board.

 We are getting close to sealing up the bow of the float.  I trimmed the bow and prepped the edge for the bow end plate.  I just need to install the backing plate for the bow pad eye and we'll be ready to close her up.

 I also trimmed the stern and sealed it up.  Taping the inside stern seam is also an adventure in frustration.  Patience is a virtue, but cursing and throwing things makes me feel better ... okay it wasn't quite that bad.  But it does take some patience to reach in, make an adjustment, then move my arm out of the way to see if I did what I thought I did.  In the (stern) end, the tape was smooth and nicely laminated.  I still need to trim the plate to match the hull, but I'll wait until the tape is fully cured.  And we are ready to temporarily close up this access port as we prepare for fairing.

While waiting for tape to cure, I finished installing the high-density inserts that will later support rigging hardware.  As with the starboard float, I carved out the standard-density foam core to match the inserts, bent the inserts to match the hull form, applied a thin epoxy filler to fill any gaps and adhere the inserts in place, and applied pressure to force out any excess filler.  For the larger inserts on the deck I applied continuous pressure by balancing some weights on the inserts until they cured.  One more weekend and we should be all closed up and ready for "The Board!"