temporarily fastening chine joint during glue up on BRS

[sscoville]

I am about to install the bottom panels on BRS '17 #134.  One builder I know of stitched the joint.  The photo cd from B&B appears to use a different method.  It looks like they used screws with washers.  I am wondering what part of the boat the screws were landed in.

[Guest wwbaginski]

Sam, you're probably looking at IM000028 and IM00029.  I would say that one side is already glued . That one with the screws (there's a trace of the removed temporary  batten which is currently fixed to the opposite side panel). Someone could put som internal element and screw panels into it. It could be a BRS15, which has a bit smaller bottom panel, and a builder had to use more force to bend the plywood element that in BRS 17 case. This place looks like critical in such meaning.

[Tom Lathrop]

When I built Loon, we were using 3/8 side panels and I just set temporary nails to hold the panels together while the hull was turned over.  Then the inside chine was fileted and taped.  I'm not certain how Graham intends for the 17 chine to be temporarily attached.

[Designer]

Sam,

There is nothing critical about fastening down the bottom panels as it is only temporary until you epoxy the chine joint. The most critical point is to end up with a fair chine line. The 6mm ply sides are usually wavy and need some help which is why the drawing recommends temporarily fastening a fair batten a few inches below the chine to hold it fair until the epoxy dries.

Because you have to fasten 9mm to 6mm ply you need fine brads. I like the nails that picture framers use. Alternately you can stitch the chine with tie wire or tie wraps. The loads are not very high on this bottom and typically they only need to be a couple of feet apart. If there are any areas that need attention just put in another nail or tie. As stated above you objective is to hold the chine line fair until the epoxy hardens, symmetry and even spacing of fasteners is unnecessary.