gunwale question

[PinoyPiper]

hi all and Graham

first time builder here building an S11N, i've just finished dry fitting the gunwales (solid 1x2 stock, I used screws all around about a every foot or so). I was careful in working only one foot at a time every other side. I placed a string from the bow to the transom following the centerline and measured the distance from one side of the nesting bulkhead to the other. the starboard side was wider by around 7mm. Is this okay? if not, what can I do to remedy it?

also, it says in the plans to: "remove one side and the back end of the other side" how far the on the back of the other side? do i re-attach the other side after I've glued the one side or do I work alternately like i did when dry fitting it?

once the glue is dry on one side and I remove the other gunwale to put glue on it, will this cause the hull to twist?

sorry for the long winded question. :oops:

cheers/roy

[Designer]

Hi Roy,

When you pull the string down the center it should be closer than 7mm off center. Because you are building a nesting version the sides should be tight against the center bulkheads which, if you cut them out true, will true up the middle part of the boat. If you matched your sides so that both are identical, and they are even at the bow and stern, then the boat should be true. The next thing to check is if there is any twist in the boat. You can check this by leveling the boat cross ways at the stern then at the center and forward bulkheads. All of that said, there are plenty of successful boats including some of my own that were off by more than that. It is nice to fuss over your boat and make it as true as you can.

When putting on the gunwales, most people don't have enough clamps. Glueing them on one side at a time helps. Bending the second gunwale around the boat as you glue on the first one helps to keep the boat true. Yes the boat can bend a little bit when you undo the second gunwale for glueing but it should straighten up when you put it back on.

As you are building a nesting version the gunwales are put on in three layers and there is very little spring back.

Keep up the good work.