Big Boat Man’s friends insisted that they were entitled to a roof shout when he had the hatch on the cabin.  They feel they have been a part of the process since he always gives them an update, whether he meets them in the shops, in the lumber warehouse, or in their own office.  So, in preparation for the roof shout, painting was fast-forwarded and even I got involved.

I wore a mask and sanded the inside of the cabin.  Unfortunately, I then took the mask off for the painting.  After I had a splitting headache I remembered one of my brothers getting high when we were young because he had painted a closet with the door closed.  So, the next coat of paint inside the cabin, I wore the mask the entire time.

Which reminds me… when I first offered to help with the painting, BBM handed me a small block of wood with sand paper wrapped around it.  Then he started to explain how to use this special tool.  My thought?  The man has forgotten my father was a builder.

I was prepared to let it slide until he carried on. I to him: Are you seriously going to demonstrate how to use a sanding block?  He to me: No, I’m just showing you how to…

I break in: So, let me get this straight.  You’re not going to demonstrate, you’re just going to show me how?

By this time I have his attention, and he simply nods his head and walks away.

Note the red lead paint in the picture.  One friend stopped by to see the boat and said, hey it looks sexy with all the different colours!  We explained how the entire boat is actually that colour all over.  The top coats will be white, green and natural brown.

Also note in the picture the railings on top the cabin.  By the time of the roof shout on Sunday the brass rails were on and the hatch slid effortlessly.  Sadly, the guys did not climb into the boat to try sliding the hatch back and forth as BBM anticipated.  He had waxed it so that it was a smooth experience.  I think they were simply blown away because they didn’t realise the boat was so big.  And, it probably didn’t occur to them to climb aboard since it looks like a piece of art at this point.  I’m nagging BBM for an updated picture.

Some of the brass rails were given to BBM by young men from the Thaiboxing club.  We drove down to Porirua to find brass screws since there were none available in town.  It was a specialty shop and very expensive, but the building suppliers had to order from Australia.  The brass will be a nice reminder of these young men.

So the day came, and some knowledgeable sailing men appeared impressed with BBM’s efforts. Not that I actually understood the conversations, but I did recognise the expressions of enjoyment and satisfaction on BBM.  At one point he pulled out the wings (lee boards) which he had wanted to have sanded smooth, but at least the aerodynamics were evident.

The back thing (rudder?) was hefted to judge it’s weight.  I’m not sure what that was about, but there was some discussion about where the little 6hp Seagull motor might go (on the rudder?).  I don’t really care as long as 1) it’s effective and 2) it’s safe.  BBM says that we would be able to make Australia with that little motor.  I don’t think so.

The launch will be our next celebration. WooHoo.  Lots of discussion about how that should occur.  Drop it on the sand at low tide and let the tide lift it?  Get the tractor to back it in on the double axle trailer? BBM is determined to do it off our local beach, but there are commercial boat ramps in Mana up the road.

What is in the back of our minds is that comment in one of the boat building books.  Don’t worry if upon launch the boat sinks (?!).  When he read that, BBM decided he would sneak down for a practice launch at night before everyone came.  I said no, that is precisely why they want to come to the event.  They want to be there in case anything happens, and they can talk about it for the next decade.  They are friends after all, what’s a little sinking in front of friends?

So, a possible sinking to occur in front of god and everybody on our local beach?  Or just in front of friends and strangers in Mana?

Thankfully, not my decision.