butt strap vs. scarf joint for Spindrift 12

[Guest Phildave]

I am real close to ordering the Spindrift 12. I have been following the forum for awhile and enjoy the dialogue and friendly help.  I have built three stitch n glue hulls using butt strap.  Can I use the same technique on S12?  Thanks, Phildave

[Greg Luckett]

I am also building a Spindrift 12, only two years behind schedule now, and used butt joints on the bottom and side panels.  It is the first time I ever did that, and with some trepidation, but I trust Graham and his plan set shows how to do it. I have posted pictures of it, along with mistakes made. 

http://www.messing-about.com/forums/index.php?topic=5797.0

My boat is close to being done; just waiting for some warmer weather.  The shop electric heater can only get the shop up to 40F after running for hours, the average temperature outside has been in the 20s and below for weeks now and the shop is an un-insulated garage.  It is a balmy 17F now.  Oh, and it snows off and on throuhout the day for weeks now too.  I need to shovel a path and clear the doors to open the boat shed for more lumber and to get to my planer.

Hibernating and staying inside drinking coffee is too tempting. ;D

[cdunc]

I am also building an S12 and I used the butt joint method as described in the B&B plans.  You can go either way.  This is my first boat so I stuck with the directions.  For the next boat, I will probably try the scarfing method.

I am not as far along as Greg.  My boat would not sink immediately but it would eventually.  I don't have all the seams filleted and taped on the inside of the boat.  I might be able to bail faster than the water comes in but I can wait until some warmer weather.  They are talking about some possible snow here in Atlanta.

Craig

[Greg Luckett]

Craig,

Enjoy the snow.... ;D  We have pleanty to share.