Summer Breeze building
notes -
Day Five (Oct 12, 2000)
Today I made and glued the
gunwales (also call rub rails by some) made the breasthook, the spacing blocks
and laminated the mast.
The gunwales go about the same as the
chine logs, and are the same dimensions 3/4" x 1". Still need to cut
that compound angle where they meet the stem. (Unless you use the internal stem,
then they can just run long.) The curve is a little more pronounced so take care
when you're bending. I found dry fitting from bow to stern worked fine, but when
unclamping the bow half to glue, go ahead and unclamp the aft half leaving a
couple of clamps in the middle. This relieves tension, and makes it much easier
to pull the bow end in.
The spacer blocks are the same
3/4"x1" stock in 3 inch lengths. They're glued just aft of each
station line. The side butt blocks are in the way for two of them. You could
just off set them a little, or cut away the butt block like I did. This doesn't
effect the strength of the joint. The gunwales back the sides at that point. I
glued mine on with Titebond II, which is a great waterproof wood glue. Many
builders use it for joints above the waterline.
What can I say about the breasthook?
Get out your bevel gauge! It's a symphony of angles, and now I see why simple
boat plans tend to avoid them. They have the angle of the sides and the rake of
the stem. That would be it, if it weren't for my love of those nostalgic looking
split wales. So there are those little tabs that take the ends of the inwales.
If you're inclined to skip all this, you can flatten out your gunnels and glue a
piece of ply there as a mini deck. Stiffen the edge with a piece of gunwale
stock, and call it a day. It will serve the same purpose. I buttered it with
generous amounts of PL Premium, smooshed it into place and held it there with a
couple of clip clamps.
I got an ordinary piece of spruce 2x6
for the mast. (actually picked through the stack for the best of the ordinary,
and knots should be small) I snapped a line between marks 2" in from
opposite corners. Did you follow that? This makes two tapered pieces 31/2"
at one end and 2" at the other. I buttered them with Titebond II and
clamped them. This board had a very slight curve in it. However, any tendency to
bow can be canceled out by this process. I faced the cup of the bow inward...
like this...( ).
That's it for the sawdust. Julie
called me on her way home from work to see if there was a breeze. She said she
was bringing us a picnic dinner and was ready for a sail. I rigged Featherwind
and made us drinks, and loaded up the dog. Julie met me on the beach and we had
a sunset picnic sail. The wind was so brisk we had to run up into the cat tails
on the far side of Lake Swan while we ate. We then sailed by our friend's place
to borrow a couple of Kayaks for our party this weekend. We cut quite a profile
as we sailed home with those kayaks following us like little purple and red
ducklings. Sometimes life is sweet.
Fair winds,
David Beede simplicityboats
Day Six!
