I get my fill of this project very quickly after a few hectic weekend hours. I'm tired of decking but I still have the sole to do(on horses w/Ipe stock to cut and shape the 'grub' that frames the decking). I'll get to that in a few days,...or a week.

Hoisting the cockpit (I have mounted 1 1/2" steel slotted angle pieces to areas of my ceiling), to a new level is giving me renewed incentive.

I can now see building the engine panel box. The actual instrument panel piece (1/4" Lexan scrap - back painted black), will sit in a recessed frame. An outer frame will form a track for another piece of Lexan that will slide to cover. That design has proven itself to keep the panel dry in rain and an occasional dousing from a wave.

I'll take advantage of this hoisting capability (adjust the level to suit the work), to finish sand the interior (glassed) footwell - prime and paint. In fact I'll do the whole 'interior'(as the paint,brush, roller will be out), that only shows below decks (inside lockers, etc). That will be so easy to do while sitting(and that will never be easy again).

The cockpit is not overly heavy. I estimate the sole will add about 50 pounds when final fastened(after fitting binnacle,pulleys,manhole -then removing the pieces). Maybe under 250 pounds total to install?