| There are two general modern techniques for building | | | | drilled into adjacent panels close to the edge and |
| plywood boats at home: the traditional, Ply on Frame | | | | either copper wire or nylon tie-wraps are threaded |
| construction and the newer Stitch and Glue method. | | | | through the holes to "stitch" the plywood edges |
| Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Both | | | | together. Then an epoxy mixture thickened with silica |
| methods of boat construction are capable of | | | | or microspheres is puttied into the joint to make a |
| producing very functional, strong, and safe vessels. | | | | fillet and the joint is taped over with fiberglass tape. |
| Which boat construction method a potential boat | | | | The hull is flipped over and similar joints are made on |
| builder should select, depends as much on the skills, | | | | the outside of the hull. Then, if desired, the hull is |
| patience, and preferences of the builder as on the | | | | fiberglassed. |
| desired characteristics of the finished boat. | | | | Contrary to first impressions, a stitch and glue boat, |
| Let's begin by discussing the traditional ply on frame | | | | if properly designed and built, is just as strong and |
| construction method. It's done by starting with | | | | capable as its framed counterpart. They're simply |
| wooden frames, sometimes called ribs. These are | | | | different philosophies in construction. Just as cars and |
| usually straight sided, however some older designs | | | | aircraft have changed from framed and covered |
| try to incorporate curves in the rib elements, | | | | construction to more modern, unibody in the case of |
| complicating the construction considerably. These | | | | cars, and monocoque in the case of aircraft, |
| frames are positioned using a construction jig, | | | | construction, so naval architects have been |
| generally oriented so that the hull is built upside down. | | | | transitioning from framed to stitch and glue |
| Longitudinal frame members are attached into | | | | construction for light, strong, easy to build boats. |
| notched slots in the ribs. The first one is a heavy | | | | Now that you know how these boats are built, let's |
| frame element called the keelson that runs down the | | | | talk about what kinds of skills and personality the |
| center of the ribs. To the forward end of this | | | | builder has, in order to select the right kind of boat |
| element, the vertical timber that forms the prow of | | | | for him. First let's look at woodworking skills. Do you |
| the boat is attached, called the stem. | | | | like to work with wood? Does planing on a nice piece |
| Two longitudinal frame elements run along the upper | | | | of hardwood bring you joy? Do you like the smell, |
| edges of the hull, one on each side, called sheer | | | | the feel and derive satisfaction from shaping wood? |
| clamps. Two more elements are added the bend of | | | | Don't laugh. This is a serious question. Some people |
| the ribs where the hull bottom transitions to the hull | | | | will say, yes, that's me. I love it! Some will say, no, |
| sides. This joint in the hull is called the chine and the | | | | not really. I see it as a means to an end and I just |
| frame member installed here is called the chine log. | | | | want to get done. |
| Depending on the size of the hull and the designer's | | | | If you're in the first group, loving to work wood, you |
| philosophy, sometimes, additional longitudinal members | | | | probably have what it takes to make a framed boat. |
| may be specified to complete the boat hull framing. | | | | It requires woodworking and being careful about joint |
| Most often each of these joints are glued and | | | | fits. It requires some patience and a sense of pride in |
| screwed or in somtimes, bolted together. These | | | | your workmanship. |
| days, high strength synthetic adhesives, such as | | | | If you're in the second group, you probably should |
| epoxy or the new polyurethane adhesives make an | | | | build a stitch and glue boat. They go together much |
| excellent for bonded joints because unlike the older | | | | faster with fewer steps. They also require less |
| natural, casein, or polyvinyl acetate glues, the modern | | | | woodworking knowledge and use of tools. You still |
| glues will still hold even if the joints aren't perfectly | | | | have to be able to cut out plywood fairly precisely, |
| matched. They fill gaps better. | | | | but almost everything can be done with simple |
| Next the plywood planking is leaned against the | | | | power tools. |
| framework, cut a bit oversized, glued and nailed (or | | | | Building a stitch and glue boat is a messier proposition |
| screwed in-place) and trimmed to the edges of the | | | | than a ply on frame hull. You have to mix and spread |
| framing. Finally the plywood is finished off with one or | | | | lots of epoxy, usually wearing rubber gloves, If you |
| more layers of fiberglass, or simply saturated in | | | | scratch your nose, you're going to have to spend |
| epoxy to improve strength, abrasion resistance, and | | | | some unpleasant time with acetone getting the |
| water incursion. | | | | epoxy off too. Working with wood, you just dust |
| Stitch and glue boats, on the other hand are built in | | | | yourself off most days. There are adhesives used, |
| an entirely different manner. These boats are built | | | | but not to the extent of a stitch and glue boat. |
| using precisely cut panels that will end up forming the | | | | When you sand epoxy, you should wear a respirator |
| shape of the hull. There is no internal framing, or if | | | | to prevent epoxy and fiberglass dust from getting |
| there is, it takes the form of bulkheads rather than | | | | into your lungs. Sawdust isn't as damaging to your |
| frame elements. The builder uses either full sized | | | | system, but I still do wear a respirator when sanding |
| panel drawings supplied by the designer, or lays out | | | | large expanses of wood with a power sander. |
| the finished shape of the sides and bottom of the | | | | Well, I hope this has helped you decide which of the |
| hull on the plywood planking. The planking is then cut | | | | two types of hulls to build. I would strongly |
| out. One side may be used as a pattern for the | | | | encourage everyone to build a boat. It's a fun hobby |
| other, because getting both sides precisely the same | | | | and a great experience. It's also the parent and child |
| shape and keeping the bottom very symmetrical are | | | | project. I can't imagine a better experience for a child |
| important. | | | | than to learn woodworking by helping to build a boat |
| Once the panels are cut out a row of small holes is | | | | and take it fishing. |