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Building an A Class Cat Boat
1. Placing the assembled backbone in the mold, note the clips for attaching the floors. .
2. Bending frames and fastening them to floor timbers.
3.Planking starts with the sheer and garboard giving four places to work at a time.
4. Fairing the hull with hand planes.
5. Fairing with longboards, more popularly known as torture boards.
6. The seams are caulked with cotton then taped to keep the seam compound neat.
7. The hull is flipped upright.
Between 1991 and 2007 three A Class Catboats have been built at the Independence Seaport Museum's boat shop and one was built next door at the Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild by members of the same crew. The pictures below are of the most recent one, Torch, launched in 2002. As we proceed with the new boat it might be edifying to compare these pictures.
8. The cockpit sole, cabin sole and most of the deck structure. These boats have many pieces.
9. Finishing the interior before the deck goes on.
10. Another view of the boat just before decking.
11. The deck is on, covered with xynol set in epoxy , and edged with rails and coamings.
12. The final sretch as the finish and hardware go on.
14. Dressed for Launch Day. She has most of her pieces.
13. Delivery
Off to the races.
Silent Maid on