Chines and Clamps

When last we left our sailboat, the chines and clamps had been scarfed and the epoxy was curing on the deck. Now the fun begins. This is the first time I've had to bend boards around the frames. These boards are actually the lines of the finished product, so it's kind of a big deal.

My plan is to notch the frames and attach the chines and clamps first with drywall screws. Then after they stay in shape for a while, let the frames get some rain. The wet and dry should help the piece hold its shape. We're getting into some weird bends here.

The first chine coming around the wide part of the boat

Notched into the back end

D'oh!! Got a break in the scarf

Starboard got the scarf joint on a frame - stronger that way

The boatbuilder is not looking forward to attaching those angles in the chines

But I did it anyway

Got a different problem attaching the clamps

The starboard clamp is on there

Transom is really shaping up, still have to trim off that last clamp

The port clamp broke at the scarf too

Transom is cleaning up nicely

This view really shows the lines

After the frames are all notched, the keel, chines and clamps are screwed in place. Then the lines of the final hull really start to show up. These boards are all just screwholds for the plywood in the cold molded hull. I drilled pilot holes, then countersinks before attaching with drywall screws. I got it this far before I went out to Colorado for a marathon and a few days of solo exploring. When I got back I finished the job by taking out the drywall screws, adding glue and sinking the final copper screws.

Chines and clamps on the stem

Check out the bend after I took the temp screws out!

The same board glued back in place

I like these lines, but that port clamp isn't exactly fair

And there you have it. This is as far as I can go with this boat right now. So far I've got about $150 into this setup. The next step is to buy about $500 in plywood and $250 in epoxy and fiberglass. Cold molded plywood gets the same treatment as the chines did. Cut, shape, form it just right so it fits between the keel and the frame edge, and secured every 3" with pre-drilled pilot holes & drywall screws. Then when it fits just right, pull out the drywall screws and coat every side and the inside of every screw hole with epoxy, then secure finally with copper screws and glue against the frames. But it's going to be at least September before I can save up enough cash for the plywood and epoxy. Until then, we'll just leave this boat under the tarp.

Btw, Colorado was an amazing trip, even if running at elevation did produce my slowest marathon ever. Still mind-blowing how beautiful the terrain was. A couple of weeks after I got back I had a hernia surgically repaired, so I can't train at all or lift anything over 10 lbs for 4-6 weeks. That shuts down all landscaping, boatbuilding, the front porch project, everything until sometime in August. So far recovery is going really well.