Boats to Build and Re-Build

At this point I've probably rebuilt the framing 5-7 times trying to get the boat straight. It goes in fine any way you want to put it in, but I'm finding if it's not done just so...the bottom won't align, and then you can't make it align unless you redo the framing. I've also rebuilt the dagger trunk because I think I misinterpreted the plans. there was a place where it looks like the rear insert ends above the bottom of the trunk and as I was assembling it seemed like that would be impossible to seal.

If you look at some of the pictures you can see the old vs new. I also extended it 12mm so the whole trunk could go through the bottom of the boat.

The big problem with getting it aligned came from the dagger trunk. Since it's just one piece it is much easier to misalign. So I ended up cutting a piece of strapping to the same length and using that to help square it. That and a speed square.

There was also a time when I noticed the seat sides had pulled away from the transom. The top (or bottom) was still touching, but the rest had pulled away by at least 3-4" so that threw everything off...

I hope it's all set now. My diagonal measurements are exactly the same

Do it and do it again -

I've come a long way and it's exciting to see a boat shape. It's also exciting that pieces seem to be fitting...I've found an error here and there, but they've been small so far. I cut one side of one of the molds 10mm too wide, so I think I'll trim it down, and I shorted the dagger board by about 10cm.

The rear seat sides were in, and the first bulkhead. I used sections of 20" wide 2x4 to space the seat sides.

I'm finding Gorilla Tape more and more useful for holding things in place.

I had been getting frustrated because the bulkheads that were supposed to fit as frames were not fitting very well. When I put one in and then another, it would pull the first one out of whack. I was starting to doubt my measurements, or my understanding of how this whole thing was supposed to be done. Then I decided I must not have it "supported on blocks" to accept the curve of the hull well enough.

Well when I moved it, everything came undone. But I managed to avoid being the grown man that cries and got it up on some blocks. This seemed to allow for the rocker in the design to come out and things seem to be falling into place now. It also gave me new and better ways to hold the frames in place.

Tonight I glued the cleats to the forward seat sides, and glued the last side of the dagger board trunk on to the other previously assembled pieces.

I hope that thing doesn't leak...

I keep finding it somewhat difficult to envision where everthing goes and how with the boat upside down, but it seems to be working out ok.