Assembly Started, 31 Oct 2006, #5

I will start this page with some nomenclature. The frames (the on edge boards that look like ribs, heaven forbid you use that word around a boat builder) on the bottom of the boat are called "bottom side frames." The frames on the sides of the boat are called "top side frames." Thus planks (the flat boards screwed to the frames) on the bottom are called "bottom side planks", etc. The frames that support the deck are called a "carlin". The deck planks are called "deck planks", with the middle one the "king plank". You will see those later. The plank on each side of the keel is called a "gar board". The reinforcing gussets you see at the corners of the frames are called "knees" Boat building has it’s own language.

Starboard is the right side of the boat when looking from rear to front. Port is the left side of the boat. This way we can identify which side we are referring to no matter where we stand, upright or not. The way to remember; short name with short side and short color, thus, Left, Port, Red..... long name, Right, Starboard, Green.

The assembly actually started with the first bottom side frames being replaced, but disassembly was still being done, since I replaced every other frame and then came back to the old ones I had left in place.

With the keel, transom and all the frames in place, glued and bolted to each other, it is time to start molding the keel for the auxiliary frames and the bottom planking. When I use the word "glue", I am not using a glue as in an Elmer’s or a Bond-tite type wood glue. It is a product made by 3M and it is called 3M5200. It is a highly adhesive rubber-like compound I squeeze out of a tube like silicon seal or DAP. It is so strong that after 5 hours it is impossible to separate the wood pieces from each other. They must be routed out. But it is also flexible, allowing the boat to twist and give a little in rough water. If one uses a fiberglass epoxy, it welds the wood so strong, hard flexing will tear the wood apart internally, thus opening up cracks for leaks and rot. So in the future I will use the word "rubber". Conventional glue is used in a few places on the boat.

This picture shows the un-routed keel with saw marks on it to help me get things right.

The next two photos shows some of the routing done. It is very hard to see, I didn’t have the angle or light right. This is the routing for the auxiliary frames and then the auxiliary frames in place.

All the port side auxiliary frames were steamed and then bent into shape with one operation.

This photo shows the routing on the grip/stem, where the bottom side planks will rest.

In my next post I will installing the new bottom planks.