This is so much more fun than putting illustration board pieces together!

Except for the deadwood portion, my keel and stem pieces are all cut. I am so jazzed! I am finally getting some momentum to this project.

No sawdust yet, but nail holes!

OK. Take a deep breath. Enjoy it. This is really starting. The garage is clean enough to have some work space. One more glance at the pristine plank. Get to work.

Here is the "Station 13" end of my first keel board. I followed the guidance on this web page.

Serious construction has begun

I spent a couple hours cutting my long stringers this evening. Now to get some floor space cleared in my garage so I can cut out the parts for my keel.

I took it as an encouraging sign today that I saw a Weekender being towed on I-5 heading north near the Seattle Premium Outlets--purple hull, light colored deck--while I was driving south this afternoon.

It may well have been this one:

"Look ma, no trailer"

Here is Kingsfold, or rather almost all the lumber and all the plywood to build her with. I understand better now what the Stevensons are referring to in the construction video about "first cut fever." For me it is not so much fear of actually cutting as it is of making an error and ruining this very lovely material.
I expect it will be "measure three or four times; cut once" for me. Now I have a very tangible incentive to clear the floor in my garage!

On a sad note, one of several people I know who has taken special interest in my boat project passed away a couple of weeks ago. Ron Hegewald, thank you for your encouragement and enthusiasm. I am very sorry you didn't live to see this photograph.