The keel bar and keel bottom plate above are both made out of 3/4 inch thick ABS Grade A steel. 

The 3/4 inch keel bar extends all the way from the stern to the bow stem. The lower part of the photo above shows a watertight bow thruster compartment. Just forward of that is a watertight bulkhead separating the thruster compartment from a second watertight compartment in the lower bow. Just above that, out of the picture, is a third watertight compartment for the anchor chain locker.

This photo shows the frames that are spaced 32 inches apart. The workers are installing longitudinal flat bars. On the far right is part of the port mid fuel tank integral with the hull.

This is a close-up of a detacouple transition from steel (bottom) to aluminum (top). Invented by Dupont, a detacouple is made by an explosion welding process.

At the chine is a 2 inch diameter steel round bar. This chine rod runs continuously from the bow to the stern.  It weighs 10.68 pounds per linear foot and adds greatly to the superior strength of the boat.

The caprail is made of 3" x 5" stainless steel with 1/4" thick walls. Up forward this caprail will double as a rub rail as we come in against pilings or lock walls, or "spring off" as we depart.

These are the mooring bitts being fabricated. They are made from 5" Sch 80 stainless steel pipe and 1" stainless steel round bar.