John and David worked quickly to make and install deckbeams in the foredeck and raised deck in front of the charthouse. However, our September order for bronze fasteners (bolts and screws) was delayed and the guys literally used clamps to hold everything together for a couple weeks as they worked. Here are a couple pictures of the foredeck from above and below. Click on images for larger view.

Below, David is clearing debris from removal of the old beams. The new foredeck beams are overhead.

David and John got back to work on Mahdee the first of October. Of course I was away taking care of things back in Maryland/DC. Many of the old deck beams had rot and rusty fasteners in them. We’re replacing the sawn deck beams in kind. There isn’t much camber to the beams.

In the picture below, John is removing rusty bolts from one of the old tamarack knees that will be reused with the new deck beams. Some knees were replaced due to rot. You can see a partially rotted deck beam right in front of where he is working, too.