The Hull is underway!

Got my 9mm ply delivered, mainly cut into 200mm wide planks with two sheets cut into 100mm wide for the bow where there is a sharp curve into the stem.  Also got a supply of Phillips head stainless steel countersunk self tapping screws, 8 gauge x 5/8" to attach the planks.

Then there was no more procrastination, it was time to start.  I had planed and sanded the frames stingers so was hoping the shape was not too bad.  Time will tell.

Plank One.  Each plank has three screws (countersunk) at each stringer position, the plank itself is on about a 20 degree angle.  The planks are epoxy glued to the stringers only and not to each other.  When you screw the second layer on at about 90 degrees to the first it forces glue into the joins between the planks.

I got two planks out of each 2400mm x 200mm piece of ply with a little bit left over.  As you can see below I didn't bother cutting off the bottom, the building guild recommends at least 50mm past which I assume is to ensure full epoxy all the way past the stringer.  After the two layers are on and the boat rolled over you trim it  to the stringer.  This is frame 8 to the transom which was a days activity.

The shot below is looking along the hull, and you can just see the shape/curve starting to show itself.  Maybe you cant, but I got a bit excited anyway!

As you can see there is quite a way to got, don't expect the two layers to be done quickly.

Bottom layer done

I have been fairing the stringers in preparation for planking the hull.  To get the top right you need to put the first layer of 9mm ply on the bottom as the sides overlap it.

Instead of cutting a scarf along the face of each sheet and overlapping them, making a very long sheet that would be near impossible for me to position, the designer John Welsford uses a different type of join.  The first step is to cut a zig zag pattern onto a template, each tooth 30mm wide and 50mm high.

Then you transfer this onto the ply. making sure that you offset the template on the second piece so they fit together.  I did one end of each of the four pieces, and marked the others to suit when assembling.

Once I had cut the zigzag, I positioned the piece and marked the edges and holes for countersunk stainless steel screws then took it off and cut/drilled.  Make sure you leave space on the centreline as there will be keel bolts coming through.  Each piece is screwed on about 200mm spacing along the bottom stringer as well as across way into the hardwood cross pieces of each frame.

I started with a small section between frames 3 and 5 which was necessary to ensure I could use a full sheet across the floor of the 'cabin' without a visible join.  Then I marked the front one out, sides and end and cut.

Then the main full length one followed by the one that meets the transom last.

 
A couple of inside shots which start to show how the hull is closing in:

Inside looking forward galley (fr 5 to fr 1)

The main cabin looking toward the cockpit.  The middle bits of wood are a temporary support for frames 6 as there is no hardwood cross piece in the main cabin.  The two small pieces parallel to the centreline are to support the sides and form the engine box.

And finally the cockpit to transom:

More fairing required and then order some ply for the hull.

Stringers done - Happy New Year!

With much patience from family (and doing a little bit at a time then waiting for epoxy to set overnight) I have finished all the stringers.  Spent a bit of extra time hanging around and cleaning up each of the stringer/frames joints as much as I could removing excess epoxy.

On to photos, enough chat:

First three stringers done looking forward:

Looking overhead from the bow, three done on one side:

Looking overhead from transom forward (removed temporary wood between each frame):

Completed from the front:

From the side at the bow:

From the side looking back:

From the side at the transom:

Inside looking towards transom:

Inside looking forward, galley on left and over supports for berth to frame 1:

Started some clean up of the stringers and sanding the sharp edges off on the inside edge, leaving it square where it will meet the hull.  Happy day.