Halfway to hull

I just finished gluing the last section of the 4th strake, and paused for a brief observation of the event (and for lunch.)  So far there have been few "oopses" that I will need to correct, and those that there are, are pretty straightforward.  I can see one or two flat spots, where a clamp was too tight against a frame, and in one place a scarph joint pulled a bit at the lower side creating a bulge in the plank.  I am sure I will find more when I clean off the 1/4 inch of dust that has accumulated on the hull, as well as on everything else in the garage/workshop.

The flat spots will be fixed with a layer of epoxy thickened with West Systems 410 fairing additive.  Then, a layer of dynel fabric will be applied over the entire surface, and bedded and covered in epoxy. I plan to cover the entire hull up to the 5th strake with dynel.  It is highly abrasion resistant, and given the problems that can occur if the plywood is exposed, it seems like a sensible precaution. 

Looking up at hull-to-be, 4 planks down, 4 to go.

 In the photo above, on the starboard (left because we are upside down) side you can see my solution to bulging scarph joints.  I attached a come-along from a clamp on the lower side of the plank at the scarph to the strongback, and applied a little strain--enough so the curve at the joint is fair with the rest of the plank.  This will hold the position while the glue sets.

Looking aft

  I wanted to get a few shots from under the hull, since in one or two more planks I will be essentially locked out until we turn her over.  It is kind of cool sitting on a mould stringer and looking up at what is clearly becoming a boat.

Forward section of starboard 4th strake just glued

The photo above gives another view of my come-along clamping setup, in use on a scarph joint that has just been glued.


I promised myself that I would do a thorough cleanup of the hull and floor before beginning the 5th strake.  I guess that will be my milestone celebration.