Masala—Construction—4

15. DECK PLATING FINISHED

Left: the Radford plans do not have gas bottle compartments located on each side of the sugar scoop as shown here. Cutting the hull plates off further aft, thus decreasing the rake of the transom, allowed them to be added. Another change to the plans was to delete the lazarette in favour of a larger aft cabin. To compensate for the lost external storage, the space under the middle step in the transom was converted into two external lockers. Stainless lining of the transom edges can also be seen.

16. MELTING THE LEAD BALLAST

Left: the lead smelter with flue is mounted inside the boat at the foot of a temporary companionway ladder.

17. BALLAST IN

Right: this is one of the many chambers in the keel containing the solidified lead.

18. RUDDER

Left: the shaft is a stainless pipe with a machined keyway for the plates. On the top is the nut over which the emergency tiller is slid. The pipe is sealed by welding top and bottom. There are three bearing points – the black sections at the bottom of the shaft and immediately above the rudder, and one near the top. This is a very strong setup. When fitted, the rudder is protected by a full length skeg.

19. HARD DODGER

Designed by C-Stainless to replace the standard hard dodger, which was considered too small to provide shelter from the wind and rain. The result is superb, drawing favourable comments from other yachties.

20, 21. FITTING THE RAILINGS

Above: the stainless steel extended bowsprit designed by C-Stainless (wrapped for protection).

Right: Stainless steel railings all round provide great security, as do the handrails on the cabin tops and the dodger roof. The targa bar can also be seen on the stern.