After installing the mast box I put in the white oak rooftop stringers along either side.

Then I routed and chiseled a rabbet for the 3/8″ ply filler piece.

Working on the transom stiffeners.

After installing the spine piece I epoxied the transom in place. Lots of measuring trying to get it centered, square to the centerline, and tipped at 14º.

Building the tunnel for the tiller to rudder bellcrank.

I wasn’t exactly a fan of the mizzen mast box design for a number of reasons. One, it takes up quite a bit of the already limited space. Two, I can imagine poking the mizzen through the deck and lining it up with the step could be difficult on the water. And finally I want something rot proof since it’ll be inaccessible short of major surgery. So I built the step out of FRP, mast guide from fiberglass exhaust tube, and a drain from G10 tubing.

Since the mizzen is raked I figured a plumb bob was about the best way I could think of to position the mast guide. Sighting down the edge to the hatches up forward looked pretty good too.

Up forward I added the roof carlins and made some cardboard templates of the cabin. I had two weeks off for Christmas and New Years so I managed to put in 3-4 hours a day on the build. In the mornings I’d bring my helper along to give my wife a break and then in the afternoon I’d get some actual work done during his nap. Here he is checking out his fo’c’sle accommodations.