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This is the boat on the building jig. I built all the frames and componets out of Honduras mahogany.The
first plank of mahogany is in place. This is the final layer that will be varnished.
The transom is 1 1/2 inch thick mahogany. This is usually the weak point on these hulls, and I wanted it
heavily built here. You can see the fairness of the frame ,the result of careful alignment of the frame on a centerline which
I made from wire with a turnbuckle . The frames were aligned with a straightedge on the centerline and crossmember.
I highly recommend the Gougeons book.I just followed the books directions.
Below is the hull planked with the two layers on the sides completed. I planked the bottom with 3/8 mahogany
and steamed the forward bow planks into place. Kind of scary since there is so much shape here.These pictures bring back a
lot of memories in the shop I had rented . I never knew then that it would be 10 years before I would work on her again......
The keel and the outer stem will be laminated onto the hull after all the planking is done. This is
common to eliminate making a rabbit in the stem and fitting planks.
Ft Myers, Florida July, 2005 I finally got back to her. I have started the planking.This
mahogany has been aging for over 10 years. I was nervous as hell to cut this beautiful book matched stock, but....
This is my steambox. I built it 8'ft long and16" wide to accomodate the curve of the planks. I'm using a
NEW 5 gallon metal gas can as a boiler, flexible raidiator hose to connect to the steambox. It has 3/8 " dowels every foot
to act as a rack to let steam circulate evenly. Boil the water with a propane burner and get it to 212 degrees.
Don't have the steambox airtight. I'm using a piece of foam in the end. You steam it for an hour for every
inch of thickness.
Making progress, you can see the third plank is still wet from steaming. It is held in place to dry with
a small block with a staple through it to prevent it from going right through the plank. The block and staples will be removed
to spile the plank ( fit) to the one below.
The first lamination is 1/8 inch mahogany which I resawed from solid stock, followed by 1/8 okume ply on
the opposite diagonal.
The finished layer is 3/8 vertical grain Honduras mahogany planked fore and aft.
I learned the techinque from Ken Basset (Rascal designer and builder) of using stainless narrow crown
staples to fasten the outer planking. The tiny hole is filled with wood putty (Famowood) sanded and stained. The holes are
almost invisible and eliminates bungs.
I'm going to have to re-sand the entire bottom because the boat sat for a long time before I got to
it again and it went grey on the bottom.
Oh well, nothing wearing myself out with sandpaper won't fix.I have to turn it upside down to install the
rudder and drill the shaft hole.
I'll be posting a new set of pictures in the next few days. So far ,I've completed the third plank
and am making patterns for the last set of planks. I make patterns out of 1/4" luan ply for each plank. I don't have to worry
about carving up a $100 board of mahogany. I final fit with a hand plane and dividers. More soon.
Here I might add an entry whenever I make an update to my web site. Where appropriate, I'll include a link to the change.
For example:
11/1/01 - Added new photos to Vacation Album page.
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