Bungee blues

[paxtonm]

Hello,

I had today off, and had every expectation of getting the stringers onto the frames of the Vardo, but the gunnels are fighting me. Broke one frame, and whenever I feel like I am getting close, things come unraveled. I wonder if any of you have lashed just one frame to anchor things. I would lash the 6-6 frame, if I go that way, then bungee the rest. I'm letting the gunnels sit on the frames as best I can overnight, hoping they will relax a bit as they take the curve. The problem is with the twist to the outside -- the cedar just doesn't want to do that. I have to recut the 8-11 frame that I broke, then get back on this. I've really been enjoying this, but I am feeling outmatched right now.

Just FYI, I used lots of bungees, and added bicycle inner tubes for more muscle as well.

[Hirilonde]

I wonder if any of you have lashed just one frame to anchor things. I would lash the 6-6 frame, if I go that way, then bungee the rest.

I don't see anything wrong with that idea. Getting everything in place, lined up and lashing is some what of a wrestling match no matter how you do it. Jeff has explained, and it sure seemed to me as well that it is a matter for each of us to work out for ourselves. We can offer you ideas, but you are the one who has to make it work for you.

The problem is with the twist to the outside -- the cedar just doesn't want to do that.

I had the same problem. I made the following clamping aids to twist them into place:

[Kudzu]

I have never broke a frame and wondering what happened to cause you to break one. Obviously your putting way to much pressure on something!

The Cotton Row I am working on has a lot of twist in the gunwale between the transom and next frame. I am lashing it now and I start at the center of the boat and working towards the ends. I don't try to hold all the stringer perfectly in place with bungee's at this point. and I am assuming your are trying to. I just want to hold everything together, close enough I know it will all fit together. As I lash the joints I pull the stringers in tight and close the gaps. I use a larger pistol grip clamp with the rubber faces. Lay it on top of the stinger and will clamp low on the gunwale and pulls it right in place.

I don't even have the end bow piece in place and the transom is just loosely in place to give me an idea of how it will fit. I leave the stringers way long and I do those last. When I have a lot of twist in the ends then I use a clamp to pull both stringers in position when am fitting it and to hold it while I lash it.

[SBknox]

When Scott and I built his Vardo, we had little luck with the bungee method. It just wouldn't cooperate no matter how much muscle we used with extra bungees. I had a length of 1/4" nylon cord in the shop that we cut into 16" pieces. We took the bungees off and started with one gunwale and tied it into place with the cord. It worked like a charm. Once we tied the second gunwale into place, we checked for level and then proceeded with the chines. It really worked well and was quite fast as we were only having to mess with one piece at a time. Once everything was tied into place, we would remove one cord/knot and begin lashing. I used the same method on Jordan's FreeB12 and it worked just as well. And that boat has a much more difficult bend in the gunwales.

Hang in there, you'll get it!

[Kudzu]

Just stumbled up on a photo of how I pull mine in place while looking for something else..

[paxtonm]

Got it! I tied off one frame, and it all went together from there. It even looks like a boat. Thanks everyone.

[Hirilonde]

Got it! I tied off one frame, and it all went together from there. It even looks like a boat. Thanks everyone.

Bah, I don't see any pictures. How can we be sure?

[paxtonm]

Pictures are coming. What I did is lash the gunwales to the four frames that are screwed into the guides/gauge blocks, and everything went together quickly from there. The other frames are roughly in place, and I'll measure those as Jeff has suggested (both frame corners from a central spot on the keel/centerline), then lash off. I'm saving the bow and stern pieces, and the frames they are tied to, for last, because it just seems to make sense that they'll be easier to get into more precise alignment if everything else is straight.

Question: Where the keel runs through the guides/gauge blocks, it obviously can't be lashed. So I last the other keel/frame spots and finish those four when it comes off the strongback, right?

Oh, one more thing: I'll get to those photos, Dave. Give me some time.

Mark

[P Doug (WA)]

Question: Where the keel runs through the guides/gauge blocks, it obviously can't be lashed. So I last the other keel/frame spots and finish those four when it comes off the strongback, right?

That is what I did. I am pretty sure that is correct, can't see any other way. Not saying it was right, I've only made one kayak.

[Hirilonde]

What I did is lash the gunwales to the four frames that are screwed into the guides/gauge blocks, and everything went together quickly from there. The other frames are roughly in place, and I'll measure those as Jeff has suggested (both frame corners from a central spot on the keel/centerline), then lash off. I'm saving the bow and stern pieces, and the frames they are tied to, for last, because it just seems to make sense that they'll be easier to get into more precise alignment if everything else is straight.

The key is to find a process that assures everything being lashed is in it's proper location and that all is aligned properly with each other. It seems what you did worked well for you, that is what matters. Each of us slightly modifies the process to fit our needs, and I would bet some variations work better for some designs than others.

Question: Where the keel runs through the guides/gauge blocks, it obviously can't be lashed. So I last the other keel/frame spots and finish those four when it comes off the strongback, right?

That's what I did too.

Oh, one more thing: I'll get to those photos, Dave. Give me some time.

Sounds like an idle threat to me

Whether people comment or not to any posts in particular I know that most if not all of us like pictures. I did not grow up with the internet, but I have sure come to appreciate what it has done for sharing things like boat building. And I don't think any of the regulars here tire of seeing more pictures.