First Layer Progressing - Slow but steady.

Haven't updated for a while as I have been busy glueing the First layer in place. This is turning out to be quite a slow process, as each piece needs to be removed and then any minor adjustments made before glueing back. Weather also dictates, as when the wind is blowing too much it makes it difficult, mainly due to the dust blowing up and getting on the joints to be glued.

Thanks to Dave for the idea, and Roy for posting it on his blog, I have also now made a scale for measuring out the exact quantities of epoxy and cure.

We have a boat

WELL, almost - at least it now looks like one. The previous post may have been a bit deceiving as the picture was taken of only one side of the boat which had the first layer complete. Today I spent what must have been the most unpleasant day yet working on the boat, with the gusting winds trying to dispose of the planks before they could be attached to the stringers. However, I managed to beat the elements in the end and now have the first layer completely attached, although still not glued. That is the next step once a few minor adjustments have been made to the alignment and fit.

The pictures say it all.

Seeing it come to this, although far from finished, has to be the greatest sense of achievement I have ever felt in my entire life. Special thanks must go to my father who has taught me how to work with my hands and create this. THANKS DAD.

Picture Update

Just a few pics to show progress.

Taking Shape

Still a long way to go, but at least it is starting to look like a yacht. First layer on stern has been glued in place, but non of the other sheets have been glued yet. Once all the bottom sheets are in place and I am happy with the fit, then they will be glued before doing the sides.

Progress to date - The Hull Planking.

Today marks another big milestone, and this entry is for Roy Mc Bride from CKD Boats in Cape Town, who has taken a keen interest in TIDIDI. It is nice to have someone in the boat building industry do so and Roy asked that I post some pictures as soon as I started with the planking. I recently bought all the 6mm Marine Plywood for the hull and decks from Roy, and the service and wealth of information from Roy has been superb.

Today I fitted the first two strips - only temporarily, in order to check for proper fit and alignment, before glueing permanently in place. This will generally be the process for the first layer, after which the second layer should just follow and therefore go much quicker.

Stem

The Stem is also layered, and consists of nine pieces of timber cut to shape and then glued together on a full size pattern. There are three "interlocked" layers, once again adding strength.

The stem was then shaped and the slots cut to take the first three frames. I set these up in the workshop to check for proper fit, as can be seen from the last picture.

Stern Frame

The Stern frame was constructed from five layers of 9mm plywood on a profile in order to get the correct curve. The first layer was srewed onto the profile and then each successive layer was glued and clamped to this in order to obtain the correct thickness. Note that the joins on each successive layer overlaps the previous one thus creating an interlocking effect for maximum strength. This was also the case for the other frames and obviated the need of gussets for strength.