A legend is born????? #273--'Shazza'

This will probably be more useful for Australian builders so here goes!

This is my first build ever--so yes, I am SH@TTING myself a bit. So I thought I would write this for other FIRST TIMERS ---I don't think I am the best and this is not necessarily the best way to go. Please do not email me telling me so :)


The keel has been built from Spotted Gum (Native Australian hardwood--extremely strong) and good old hoop pine (just to drop some weight). The keel came in at 12kg after shaping ( 28kg before shaping--don't worry when you try to pick up the unshaped keel and can't). The keel is not necessarily the lightest, but absolutely bullet proof! I have worked in the timber industry for the past 25 years and do know strong timber--not necessarily the lightest!!


## A possible tip here is to take the laminated timber as below to a good timber yard and they will be able to put the whole thing through a big planning machine to take off 80% of the excess. I did this for myself at work and most good timber yards would do the same in about 15 minutes. Maybe $20-$30 AUD

The mold for the keel bulb we made of polystyrene--easy to find and easy to cut / shape. We downloaded the profiles from the website and used them to cut the shapes.

The keel with the mold at the bottom just to have a look. I made the bulb mold in one piece as I plan on taking it to a foundry and I am assumimg they will pore in one cast.
You definitely need good helpers for the big jobs!!!