Two Sheet Skiff Construction
Page 2
Next we cut the external chine logs to 1-Ό x 5/8 thick. I spent some extra money here on the best clear, straight-grained pine I could find thinking knots may cause the log to snap during bending. 5/8 seemed to be the thickest we could get away with without breaking as we bent them around the hull. We decided to add the logs after stem glue-up so we would have a clean log-to-stem transition we could cut the logs to the correct bevel to fit the stem area. It results is a nice, clean look but it may be a bit more difficult than pre-attaching logs because you need to wrestle with a flimsy hull.
It occurred to me you could never own enough clamps. I bet Im not the first to have this thought. I found it easier to get a tight fit at the transome by keeping the log long and using a strap to pull the end tight to the hull worked great. After the PL dried, we cut the logs flush.
After the logs dried we planned them flush to get a tight fit for the bottom, both in and out. We simply used a straight edge and sighted the angle. We used a hand plane with a sharp blade. It proved to be far easier than I expected.
Next we slathered the logs with PL and carefully droped the bottom on. We nailed the bottom on with 7/8 stainless brads (only thing I could find at the home center). The nails really pulled the bottom on tight and we got a nice, even bead of PL squeezed out inside and out. I hope the non-ring nails dont work out over time. Next time Ill mail-order bronze ring-nails.
After the PL dried, we trimed the squeeze-out with a razor knife so a router bit could use the chine log to ride on when we trimmed the bottom.
looking good!
Two Sheet Construction - Page 3