Accomplished Monday:
 - Door disassembly and stripping (about 65% complete)
 - Major changes to hull design proposed, approved
 - Endpoints of watertight compartment defined somewhat more
 - "Cosmetic" side panels removed, front of car nearly falls off

Observations:
 - We can still pick up that extra driver's door in Wellesley if someone
   is willing to drive out there (appx. 15 minutes away) to get it.
 - Karen is buying an angle grinder so we can start weld prep Tuesday night.
 - I'm evaluating the MIG welder situation, esp. regarding 240V power

The Big Picture:
  Although the original plan called for a double bottom hull, a shortage
  of steel and cumbersome mounting points (particularly up front) have
  made that plan less favorable.  Fortunately, the floor pan is in
  terrific shape, and with some simple patchwork to seal panel seams and
  bolt holes, we will have a seaworthy floor.  Sealing the firewall area
  will still require some finesse however.  With the double-hull out of
  the picture, mounting the trusswork to support the boat over the
  pontoon bottom runners is greatly simplified: we just weld it to the
  bottom of the car.  These runners will be located near the original
  wheel centerlines, for trailer compatibility.  The pontoons, sheathed in
  sheet metal, will be nominally V-shaped down the length of the passenger
  compartment, tapering in reinforced triangles fore and aft.

Projects for Tuesday:
 - Re-run buoyancy calculations for realistic pontoon shapes (Scott?)
 - Materials scavenger hunt (Steve?)
 - Finish stripping doors
 - Finish fixing top carriage bolts on sawhorses
 - Begin prepping weld seams: goo-scraper followed by grinder
   (Grinding requires a tarp surround to contain dust and sparks, so
   the grinder operator should plan on wearing a respirator, which we
   can furnish from our supply.)
 - Start hauling off trash (e.g. side window glass, metal scraps, etc.)

(I will arrive even later than usual Tuesday due to an evening conference
call.  However, Steve will be there on time to get the party started.
Grinding probably can't continue past 10 PM so we shouldn't waste time.)

TUESDAY - 7:30 PM - BROOKLINE
Bring ear protection if you can.  I hear it's a good investment.

We may have accomplished a lot in the last week, but remember:
We have LESS THAN TWO WEEKS until we will be afloat.

To meet the schedule for testing, painting, and interior work,
we positively must have a floatable vessel in a week and a half.

- Taskmaster J.


P.S. - Propulsion Department - Let's see some emails about your progress!