The Stern Tube

A professional builder would have incorporated the stern tube in the keel structure.  However, I was in exploratory mode, not knowing what engine I would have or what size propeller shaft I would need.  So I bored it retro ...

There, the deed is done - a veritable owl's nest.

We check the fit and then fair in a surrogate of the stern tube without bonding it in yet.

Wax paper is our friend.  Even so, after fairing, I had to whack the surrogate out with a mallet.  Epoxy is a fearful thing.