Phlod

Jim March 21st, 2007

Quick report on last weekend’s building activities: I finished and mounted the transom, and put the cleats on the temporary frames. I started the fore and aft bulkheads, but due to lack of screws, I didn’t finish. Instead I ordered a small fortune worth of stainless steel screws from Jamestown and Bolt Depot to remedy that problem, and they should be arriving today. (Fun fact: when buying screws for marine use, you might want to consult a scale of the nobility of metal in saltwater.)

After getting the fastener situation worked out, it was time to start the strongback. All the parts I made last weekend (stem, transom, temporary frames) mount to what is called a strongback or jig. The boat is then built upside down on top of these mounted frames. It is important that the strongback be square and level so that the boat is built accurately. It took quite some effort to get this thing square, but I’m pleased with the result:

My nieces and nephew were visiting and helping me out with the strongback (they also helped with the stem … mostly by taking the plane shavings and throwing them like confetti), so we thought it’d be fun to set up the frames on the strongback to get a sense of the goal.

Ashley was in charge of the stem.

Rachel manned station 2-9.

I asked Justin to hold the transom at an 18 degree rake. Instead he stuck out his tongue.

• Boat Building , Boats , Fasteners
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