More Timber Needed

I've been asked what I meant by plugging away.  When the top planks were replaced (the shear strakes) they were screwed onto the hull frames using stainless steel screws.  Each screw hole is counterbored so that the screwhead sits below the surface.  One method filling the holes is to use a filler, or fairing compound, but over time the filler can crack and fall out exposing the heads.  A better method is to use wooden plugs, cut to the correct size from the same type of timber as the plank itself.  These are glued in place and, once the glue has set, the excess is cut back and the whole thing is planed/sanded back to give a flush fit.  This is what the hull planks looked like this morning when we got to the boatyard:

As you can see there's a fair bit to clean up.  In the meantime Bridget has got cracking with mixing up the filler for the caulking seams and prepping the hull for sanding back to a smooth finish.

My main task today was to progress the laying of deck planks.  I'm finding this an extremely satisfying job as I now really feel as though we have turned the corner and we are in the rebuild phase.  I have managed to get the port side foredeck planks laid, but before I can progress any further I have to drill and refit all the beam-shelf bolts which have now arrived. I have also underestimated the amount of planking I need.  Not sure how that happened, given that maths and geometry are supposed to be my strong subjects!