Port Townsend - 2023

In this episode we follow Bob as he builds some beautiful wooden strop-blocks for Tally Ho’s rig, and explains their purpose.

In this bonus New Years episode, I go to collect Tally Ho’s new Diesel Tanks from Bellingham on Christmas Day!

In this episode we finish planking the bulwarks - but before the last planks can be fastened, the stanchions themselves have to each be cut down to their final length and have a tenon cut into the top. Meanwhile, Patrick makes a beautiful oak post inside the boat, as well as a bulkhead that divides the galley and the chart table. The winter weather bring snow and flooding, causing disruption in the boatyard but creating some beautiful scenery.

In this episode I return from the UK (with a brand new visa!) and catch up with the crew and the amazing progress they have made on Tally Ho. While I was away, Patrick built more furniture in the aft cabin, George installed the freezer in the Saloon, Clifton constructed the cockpit footwell, and so on. We meet Erica, who is joining us to help with systems install work, and finally we catch up with the beautiful teak companionway deckhouse that Pat Mahon has been building.

In this episode we follow the construction of the main mast, which is built of 8 long staves of high quality Sitka Spruce glued together in a barrel-staved construction with West System epoxy. We talk about different types of mast construction, and look at why wooden masts are often built hollow and what components are encapsulated inside. We also catch up with a few other projects around the yard - Nic has returned and is working on the cabinetry in the head, George is building a fort in the saloon, and Joe has some shiny stainless plumbing fittings to show off. Patrick makes another wig and George tries to interview some Seagulls…

The sun is shining in the boatyard, but the temperature has dropped - there’s a thin layer of ice on the water in the marina. Inside a large green hanger several boatbuilders struggle to wrestle aluminium diesel tanks into a wooden boat. Meanwhile, the cockpit footwell is subjected to more vacuum-bagging, to glue up the beautiful teak cladding.

In this episode we follow a lot of amazing woodwork - Zeal bolts together and shapes the huge purpleheart rudder, and Nic fits builds some elegant cherry cabinetry in the Head. We also get a visit from some local musicians, and George cooks Salmon with an oxy-propane torch - it’s just another day in the boatyard!

In this episode we trick Patty with some fake poop, we shock our faces with microcurrent in the name of capitalism, and we discover the best places to warm tortillas on your diesel engine. On a more serious note, we also talk about the dangers of electrocution at sea and catch up with progress on Tally Ho’s systems - including a full explanation of the electrical distribution locker, the black water plumbing system, and the hybrid shaft-clutch mechanism.

In this episode we work on Tally Ho’s front door, which will be a traditional frame-and-panel door built with quarter-sawn Oak. We talk a little bit about the history of front doors on traditional boats, and the door opening is cut with some precision chainsaw-work. Also in this video - Zeal caulks most of the deck seams, and the beautiful main companionway hatch and cockpit coaming get installed onto the boat.

In this episode Leo builds the Teak companionway steps, Patty installs some beautiful aluminium brackets, George builds out the saloon, and Joe explains the latest developments in the engine room. In other news, the Duchess of Desire goes yachting, and the bulbous-bow comes to the big screen!

In this episode we follow a (slightly stressful) day in the boatyard, catching up on the dozens of jobs currently in progress - from the galley to the deck furniture, the rudder, the winches, and so much more. We meet riggers and spar-builders, and even Gandalf the grey stops in to say hi.