We are proud to announce that the construction of hull number 1 of our Island Trail 22 design has started by boatbuilder George Blackford of Stuart, Florida and Milbridge, Maine. With a few months to go before returning to his full time work in Maine, George is hoping to get as much done as possible before returning to the project again next Fall. Once completed, the experienced yacht captain is looking forward to using his boat as she was designed, to travel along the many islands off the coast of Maine, along the Maine Island Trail.
George is proving to be one of those clients that designers dream of. He is knowledgeable, passionate about boats, but most importantly, he enjoys the journey of constructing a quality boat from his own two hands.
So, stay tuned and check back often as George continues to make good progress.
Overview of the designed construction of the Island Trail 22
Strongback
Half Molds in place
Ribbands and Keel added
Vertical Planking is started
First hull half is planked
Transom and Bulkheads installed
After the molds are reversed, second hull half is built, and joined to the first
Construction of George Blackford’s Island Trail 22
Transferring mold drawings from mylar templates to the plywood
Cutting the scarfs for joining the keel sections
Keel sections glued up
Scarfing the ribbands together
Molds setup on the strongback
Box keel is installed on molds
Installing the ribbands to the molds
Ribbands are ready to begin planking
Planking begins
More Planking
Planking is finished
A great view from the bow
The interior fiberglass is laid utilizing Peel Ply
Cored stringers are glassed into the hull
Laminating the bulkheads
The first hull half is pulled from the molds. At this point, it is extremely lightweight and is easily handled by two people.
The molds are reversed, ribbands relaid, and planking placed on the setup
The interior fiberglass is laminated to the second hull half
Stringers are glassed in place and ready for mating the two hull halves
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