Dinghy Restoration Complete

After the christening, initial launch, and puttering about in the river on Saturday, we identified the appropriate locations for Segundo's oar locks.  Next we experimented with how to best stow her on C'est la Vie's foredeck.  This process resulted in the realization of some of the compromises required when carrying a hard dinghy on deck.  We anticipated the loss of working deck space and a limited opening of the vee berth hatch.   Occluding the dorade vents if the wind is on our bow and shortening the arc of the windlass handle were two unanticipated compromises.   I walked away from the test fitting feeling frustrated and questioning if we should return to the Porta-Boat.  But, alas fitting cleanly on deck is the Porta-Boat's forte.  I'll give Segundo the summer to display her finer qualities before dismissing her.

We installed two sets of oar locks one set aft to balance Segundo when two people are aboard and a second set further forward when rowing alone.

Next we addressed oar storage.  Using a hole saw we notched the amidships bulkhead (see image above.)  This allows the oars to  rest smartly in the hull while stored on deck our while in use.  The cleat & line are used to secure the oars.

 
The Honda Outboard gouged into the finish on the exterior transom so we added a star board pad to limit further damage.

During the test fitting on C'est la Vie we discovered that the steel eye bolts on Segundo's stern would scratch the decks and had the possibility of cracking the glass in foreward hatches.  We removed the eyes and replaced them with line of a similar diameter.

Segundo is a boat so being true to her nature the projects will never cease, but this now concludes the restoration.  Here is a link to the photo album documenting the process - Dinghy Rebuild - 2012

Now it is time to go play for awhile.