Height for cradle supports

[QCHOTMIX]

I've got my rolling frame built and have the cradle supports cut out using the dimensions shown on the plans for the cs17 at the forward bulkhead, temporary center frame and aft bulkhead. My question is, should the centerline for each of these supports be mounted at the same elevation (level) or should there be some degree of offset between them?

[JeffM]

There's very little rocker on my cs20, but there is some. Someone who has built the 17 will have to chime in.

[Norman Colter]

I'm building a different boat but the the need to give a response whelmed me. I used the LWL as my reference point to keep level. Marked on both sides of all bulkheads and transferred to the outside of the hull. Math should give you all the answers. Have fun.

Norm

[Ken_Potts]

It seems like I remember Graham providing a measurement for positioning the center support a while back on this forum. I could be wrong about that.

You should be able to extrapolate the correct heights from the bulkheads once you've cut them. The seat tops appear to be parallel to the waterline so you can probably use the seat stringer positions shown on the hull cutout sheet as a reference.

I would probably mark and cut out the bulkheads then lay them on top of each other with the seat stringers lined up and take the measurements off the actual pieces (you can't really use the dimensions on the plan for this since they aren't vertical distances).

Having said that - What I actually DID was measure and cut the hull panels VERY carefully and then stitched them up without the center support. I added the center support after the boat was stitched.

I ended up with a hiccup in the line of the keel but it was not because of the lack of a center support. It was because I wasn't patient enough to get the seams fully closed at the forward bulkhead - I had already broken one of the butterfly joints and was too scared to mess with it much more. When you get ready to unfold the boat it wouldn't hurt to put a temporary stiffener across that joint. It's not always necessary but that loud "crack" is about the most heart rending sound I've ever heard