|
Progress
Update and Some Photos — Sunday, March 24, 2002 As you can see from the enclosed photos, I’m making pretty good progress. The frame is completed and I’ve started to plank the bottom. As I’ve already mentioned, the number of frames specified in the plans (16 plus the stem) are more than needed for a plywood/epoxy boat. I’ve used eight (8) plus the stem. These eight frames correspond to the eight sections in the plans. A photo of the plans is included in case you’ve never seen a set. The plans do not specify the keelson or stringers on the bottom since the boat was designed for longitudinal planking. I added them because I need to support the transverse laminations. I don’t yet know how wide they will have to be.
In the following picture note the centerboard slot that I cut with a 1/2" router bit. I’ll cover this slot with the bottom and then use a flush trim bit to cut the slot in the bottom. Frames 4,5,6 are continuous until the boat is completely planked. Their center sections will then be removed for the cockpit opening.
The next photo shows the skeg / transom detail. Frame 7 is watertight but I added an access plate just in case.
I’ve decided to plank the bottom with two layers of 1/4 inch ply. In the photo below you see the first layer temporarily installed.
The bottom is made up of 10 individual pieces 24" wide and _ inch thick that when installed will result in the double curve of the bottom. I wasn’t sure if 24" was too wide, but they seem to be OK. These pieces have been removed in the next photo. The stringers and keelson are marked and will be predrilled because it is otherwise difficult to hit them with screws. I will use lots of screws to hold the pieces in shape until the epoxy dries but then will remove them before applying the next layer.
|
