Bottom panels complete

Here are the two bottom panels taped and cut to shape.  I feel as if I am in the groove now and can get the side panels out a little quicker now. 

 

I did experiment with a number of release films for the fiberglass epoxy tape joints.

1.  6 mm plastic - was hard to get flat and fair.  wrinkles developed easily

2.  packing tape - harder to apply, but left a relatively smooth controllable surface.

3.  wax paper - best looking joint, but waxy residue must be cleaned.  I was warned by a more experienced builder that the wax could separate out of the paper, leaving a ghastly mess to clean up.  I did experience a little of this in the top joint, when I tried to remove the paper prior to full cure.  

Bottom line - will stick with the 6 mm plastic.  a little extra filling and sanding is part of the project.   

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The Utility Fitting the first planking panels

After a brief debate about whether to plank the transom first, or last, I eventually came to the conclusion that it’s a matter of individual preference. Other boatbuilders I trust kindly offered me their opinions, reasons, and techniques. I weighed all of their input before deciding on my own course of action.

I’m going to plank the sides first, and the transom second. That way, the aesthetics of the bright-finished transom should be consistent all the way out to the sides, with no end grain from the side planking visible.

Then I’m going to plank the bottom last. The reason for this basically boils down to ease of construction, regarding the transom. It seems to me that it will be easier to plank the transom while I can still access both inner and outer surfaces of it for clamping. I wouldn’t be able to do this after the bottom is planked. Since the lower edge of the transom will be underwater, then it won’t matter if the end grain is visible (whether or not it’s an aesthetic matter).

Planking
I started by cutting two 2’ x 4’ panels from a sheet of the Meranti. These will be the aft side panels. I clamped the first one into place on the starboard side. Then I roughly traced the trim line with a pencil, and removed the panel. I drew a second line 1” outside the trim line, so the panel would still be slightly oversized after I cut it. I cut it, and checked it against the port side. Since it looked good against the port side also, I used the cut piece as a template to trace out the second panel.

With both panels cut, I clamped them back into position. I’m very happy with the fitting on the starboard side. The port side still needs a little fairing, but it’s close.

Initial fitting of the aft starboard panel.

Aft starboard panel-to-transom fit. This gap will need to be filled in.

Aft starboard panel to frame #1 fit.

Aft starboard panel-to-transom inner fit.

Aft port panel-to-transom fit.

Aft port panel-to-sheer fit. This area needs a little more fairing.

Aft port panel-to-sheer fit, forward of frame #1. This area needs a little more fairing.

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Scarfed panel

Finally!  One completed Bottom panel.  Its twin is in the background setting up.  I actually used packing tape to smooth out the fiberglass tape.  Things have sped up immensely since not doing the 8:1 scarfs and using 3" tape instead.  Apart from forgetting to clean two brushes (was having a contest as to how long I could get a cheapo chip brush to go).  The new yogurt containers for Greek yogurt work great for mixing small batches of epoxy.  they clean right out after the epoxy sets up.  

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Seat risers

This design is done up butterfly style. Where the two halves of the boat are stacked, stitched together with copper wire, then unfolded to make a three dimensional shape.

The seat stringers should have been tapered prior to glassing the panels together.  But, I was in a hurry.  the result was some cracking on the forward upper panel.  I will need to reinforce with glass when done.  the whole assembly is in the garage waiting to go three dimensional.  

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scarfing the panels

Looking forward to working in the downstairs workshop.  I put a wide sawhorse under the panels being joined, put down a layer of plastic, and then primed with a coat of epoxy, then followed that with a slightly thickened batch of epoxy with silica added.  A piece of mahogany weighed down with paint cans and water bottles will hold the panels while the epoxy sets up.

Outside in the garage, I finished laying out the forward bottom panel.  Will cut tomorrow and splice into the other bottom panels.  Scarf will be 2" for an 8:1 scarf.  Pretty simple.  tough part will be cleaning the garage to make the second scarf joint.  

When I took this off the "press" both corners did not seat well.  It took a few minutes with a belt sander and then a follow up with a little fairing compound to get a nice smooth filet.  Front side was fine.  Back side a little messy.  On the second attempt, I clamped the mahogany board down on each end and already see an improvement.  Nothing a little filler cant fix.   The second panel yielded the same results.  I believe that my mahogany clamp is not flexible enough to get good pressure on the edges.  

Forward panel is scribed and ready to cut.  

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