Rebuilding the Square Meter: fitting the keel timber

We took the keel home to our shop to do a little work on it.
We laminated on an additional 1 x.  This will strengthen it and enlarge the rabbet.  This will help when it comes time to plank.

After the epoxy set up, it was back to the barn to fit it.  The framing tails were built a little long so we snapped a line and cut them.

Once the keel was set in position, it allowed us to fit in blocking for the keel bolts.  These blocks raise the bolt head up a bit in the bilge. They also are cut with a bevel to provide a flat level surface for the bolt nut.  Additionally they provide a little more beef to hang the lead keel on.

Here are photos with descriptions.

Here is the keel with the additional lamination of oak.
It is 5.5 inches wide at it widest point and about 3.75 inches thick.

This is the stern end.  The rabbet is now about 1.5 inches wide.  The funny looking ends will be whittled in place.

We used thickened epoxy with hardwood pegs for all the laminations.

The is the underside.  It will receive the lead keel.

The frames are beveled to fit the keel.  Blocks are added for support for the keel bolts.
The keel will be through bolted to the frames and the lead ballast will be through bolted
to these blocks.

When the keel bolts are installed, this will suck up nice and tight.

The bottom end is taking shape.