Spindrift 11N, hull alignment question.

[BryanLee]

Hi all, I just got the hull of my spindrift 11N wired up, I have not completely wired in the bulkheads and transom yet and I have a few questions.

Currently the hull is sitting on a flat surface, right side up. I noticed the keel line changes depending on whether I leave the hull sitting flat, or lift it up. Sitting flat the hull is flatter on the bottom, but not totally flat, it seems to line up well with the angles on the transom and nesting bulkheads. Lifting the hull so the keel is off the surface adds a little more V to the bottom, but also increases the gap between the center bulkheads and the bottom.

I think it is best to leave it sitting flat when I weld the seams with epoxy, but I have seen others talking about putting it in a cradle before gluing the seams, which seems to me that it might change the bottom profile. Is it better to leave the bottom on a flat surface, or in a cradle, or will it not really matter either way once the bottom is wired to the center bulkheads?

Pics can be seen at http://picasaweb.google.com/WannaBeBoatBuilder/Dinghy# if anyone is interested in taking a peek.

Thanks,

Bryan

[Hirilonde]

If you have layed out and cut the center or nesting bulkheads according to the plans (it appears you have) then the hull should be fit well to them during taping.  Securing these bulkheads in place with ties and/or temporary screws will likely keep the hull from pulling away during handling and setting up for fillets and tape.  But what is important in the long run is that the bulkheads are secured temporarily, the hull is sitting true to shape and fair, and the whole thing is set and supported well for your next step.  I used a table and bricks and wedges to make a temporary cradle of zero cost.  What ever works for you is good.