It was going to be easier to fit the lower stringers before the planking advanced too far so I could use clamps, especially as the stringers would have to be steamed. I machined the 3 1/8" x 1 5/16" (77 x 35mm) Spotted Gum stringers in two lengths, 18' and 10', fitted them into a plastic tube as I did for each of the planks so far, turned the steam on and gradually tightened the clamps over an hour and a half. The Spotted Gum held the curve and twist very well, but I still needed to taper the ends a little, and then to scarf the lengths together. I chose a traditional hooked scarf but glued it as well as fastened it through. The stringers are going to be fastened through the ribs and through the planks, and as the plank that will have the fastenings is not yet fitted, the stringers were secured a bit higher on the boat than where they will live, out of the way. I then fitted the sixth plank (plus two stealers), pictured in the photo below ready to fit. Many of the floor timbers will be fitted under the lower stringer, so they have to go in first. It will also be easier to fasten them off before too much more planking goes on. I had only three tea-tree knees big enough for the three forward-most floors, so the rest will be laminated. I shaped the number two floor, the top one in the above picture first. I marked the template onto the timber, planed the bevel on the sides, offered it up and scribed a more accurate shape, cut and planed to that, and then spent a couple of hours shaving it down using blue chalk to mark the high spots. It now is temporarily clamped and screwed in place while I mark it where the stringers will sit and mark a pleasant top curve a little lower than in the photo below.
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AuthorIan Smith, Boatbuilder (ret'd) Archives
January 2024
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