Moving along as expected....

[mrthethird]

Well, now, wouldn't you know it. Past the point of no return, got the hull sides glued on. Got a little out of order, and put in the hatch box. Angle on the cabin bulkhead is off 5 deg. Shoulda checked that befor screwin' it in.... No way to correct it now, without breakin' glue joints. Can't see where it's hurting anything. Guess it'll be just a teense more streamlined!

The next issue, probably related somehow, is the Lazerette. For whatever reason, the lazerette panel is an inch smaller than the space it should fit into. :? Tried pushing the deck down to fit it, but it was stressing the wood way too much. Plus, isn't this panel supposed to be removeable? My first thought is to just cut a panel to fit, but I don't know if this will affect the steering later down the road. Any thoughts on this?

[Stump]

The front or the top panel? I remember it was tough getting the top panel and stringers in place. I think I used the brute force method.

If your talking about the front with the little access hatch made for VERY small people I can't help. I don't see how it could effect the steering; if your going to use a wheel, the angle will be the same...errr... be sure get the mesurement from the bottom of the panel to the center of the hole; and if using a tiller just make it a little taller. I know you know but I got to say it, don't forget the panel is not supposed to fit to the sides.

[Mark Gudschinsky]

I had the same problem with my lazarette. I assumed I had some form of alignment problem. I had already glued up all of the other bulkheads and transom, so I was stuck with what I had. I build using Okumee and wasn't inclined to buy another full sheet to recut the part. To solve mine, I built the lower lazarette stringer out of a good 2 x 4. Instead of kerfing and bending the stringer I cut it to shape, making it an inch taller than normal.

I fastened it to the bottom, then fastened the lazerette panel the the top stringer. Then I forced down the deck until It scared me. Then I screwed the lazarette panel off to the bottom stringer.

When it was done, there was about a half inch gap between the bottom of the lazarette panel and the hull bottom. I filled that with thickened epoxy. All worked well with no apparent affect to the steering.

Others here I'm sure, will have a correct fix.

[Barry Pyeatt]

Pulling the deck down to meet the Lazerette is a challenge anyway. It took my son and I both to bring it down to meet. And we thought it would crack something for sure, but it didn't. When we stood back and checked it all out the deck sweep was nice and looked just great.

Having the main bulkhead laying 5 degrees forward of its design should make meeting the lazerette easer, 5 degrees more towards verticle would make it more difficult. You may have to check the actual cabin top dimensions more carefully for fit before you cut the cabin top however. The hatch opening may be somewhat different based upon where the main rafter sets in relation to the top of the main bulkhead now.

The only really critical angle as far as handling is the front bulkhead/mast box as that sets the rake of the mast.

Nothing wrong with Mark's approach at all. I too would place the steering assembly hole measured from the bottom of the Lazerette in this case as well. Keep as many angles on things as close as possible to design. Although you would have more clearance for the wheel to the seat fronts if it were an inch higher.

One thing is for certain. The project will still float as long as the sides meet both the deck and the bottom. :roll: And handling won't be affected in the least by having either the bulkead at a different angle or the lazerette/deck junction a bit higher.

Just keep on moving forward.