The Brace Project

Bob Wunschel and Alexander, working at the peak of the roof  noticed a certain amount of flex in the building and decided that it would be wise to brace the junctions between the support posts and the rim logs and cross beams.  To this end we are installing a set of braces on each post.  Gordon Crossley has become the “brace master” . See photos below.

Gordon working at the braces

 

Braces and new fronds on the roof

 

Resolution of paperwork issues

Exactly two weeks after having out boathouse project stopped by the City building department that our 16th Century replica building did not meet 21st century codes, through interventions on the part of individuals who stepped forward to help, we did receive an official permit to continue construction.

As a result of this civic sanction, we have continued thatching the roof of the  boathouse.  Photos below:

Thatching at the point of the work stoppage

Using fronds that had been delivered by Nathan Keen of K&S Tree Service the day after we got shut down, somewhat worse for the delay but still serviceable. We had a great volunteer turn out and were able to move well forward.

Roof after two additional days work

 

Alternative actions

Despite the injunction on the boatshed project, Alexander and a small group of volunteers have completed a leveling of the big pine blocks that support the keel and now one rib. We dug out the topsoil down to the oystershell level and them backfilled with limerock gravel and created a stable level stiff back for the keel.

Bob and Gordon excavating

 

Pne blocks holding the keel with gravel footings

 

 

Glider Raffle Celebration

A highlight of our May 31 festive gathering was the raffle of a beautiful love seat glider made by our volunteer and excellent woodworker, Bob Wunschel.  marketing and sales were capably handled by volunteer, Hazel Wunschel.

The Glider with Hazel and Bob in the background

 

 

Glider raffle and Foundation table at the end of the Boatshed. Hazel on the left, Bob in the official Foundation blue hat

 

After Hazel finished selling all the raffle tickets, she had "Pedro Menendez" draw the winning ticket

 

AND THE WINNER IS DWAIN SYKES  # 288881.  CONGRATULATION TO ALL INVOLVED

Thatch, rib, celebration

Thursday was a busy day. We added more thatch scrounged by Alexander, this time from the Fountain of Youth Park.  We set up for the May 31 event whic had gotten front page press.. Capt John brought over and installed the first rib of the Chalupa.

Set up for the Event

 

Chalupa Keel with first Rib

 

Bob Wunschel's rafle Glider under the eves

 

 

Beginning to Thatch

After installing all the stringers on the rafters, The next step is to nail the green Palmeto fronds onto them. Held up for a day by Memorial Day and Tropica Stormm Beryl, we began the thatching process.  Alexander scrounged up 300 green fronds over the weekend by cruising the streets of St Augustine and picking up curbside fronds left by home owners for pickup by the City.  We began under cloudy skies and finished under a steady light rain.  We did get 2.5 rows of thatching on the roof creating a skirt for the west side of the building.

Thatching in the rain

 

 

The first row of thatch from the inside

 

 

The roof with a thatch skirt

 

 

Next Phase Complete

After all the rafters have been put in place, then came the stringers which will provide the base for the palm thatch. On the West side of the roof the stringers took two days to install.  Today we were able to install the East side stringers in 3 hours. Practice makes perfect.

Roof with stringers on both sides

 

 

 

All Rafters Up

With great dilligence and steady work, Alexander and the volunteer crew  have finished putting up the rafters. Now the stringers to hold the palm thatch will go into place.

The boatshed with all of its rafters

Roof structure progress

Since the last post, Alexander and the volunteers have mad great strides in fashioning the roof structure.  We hope to finish the rafters in a few days and  and start nailing up the stringers that will carry the palm fronds that will create a thatched roof covering.

Work on the ridge pole

 

First section of rafters in place

 

Week 1 of May

We have continued to cut, shape and install the basic roof structure.  The five trusses consist of a king post  two rafters, two braces and the ridge pole on top.   These are almost finished.

Roof framing trusses all in place

 

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