| There are two general modern techniques for | | | | is drilled into adjacent panels close to the edge |
| building plywood boats at home: the traditional, Ply | | | | and either copper wire or nylon tie-wraps are |
| on Frame construction and the newer Stitch and | | | | threaded through the holes to "stitch" the |
| Glue method. Each has its advantages and | | | | plywood edges together. Then an epoxy mixture |
| disadvantages. Both methods of boat construction | | | | thickened with silica or microspheres is puttied into |
| are capable of producing very functional, strong, | | | | the joint to make a fillet and the joint is taped |
| and safe vessels. Which boat construction method | | | | over with fiberglass tape. The hull is flipped over |
| a potential boat builder should select, depends as | | | | and similar joints are made on the outside of the |
| much on the skills, patience, and preferences of | | | | hull. Then, if desired, the hull is fiberglassed. |
| the builder as on the desired characteristics of the | | | | Contrary to first impressions, a stitch and glue |
| finished boat. | | | | boat, if properly designed and built, is just as |
| Let's begin by discussing the traditional ply on | | | | strong and capable as its framed counterpart. |
| frame construction method. It's done by starting | | | | They're simply different philosophies in |
| with wooden frames, sometimes called ribs. | | | | construction. Just as cars and aircraft have |
| These are usually straight sided, however some | | | | changed from framed and covered construction |
| older designs try to incorporate curves in the rib | | | | to more modern, unibody in the case of cars, and |
| elements, complicating the construction | | | | monocoque in the case of aircraft, construction, |
| considerably. These frames are positioned using a | | | | so naval architects have been transitioning from |
| construction jig, generally oriented so that the hull | | | | framed to stitch and glue construction for light, |
| is built upside down. | | | | strong, easy to build boats. |
| Longitudinal frame members are attached into | | | | Now that you know how these boats are built, |
| notched slots in the ribs. The first one is a heavy | | | | let's talk about what kinds of skills and personality |
| frame element called the keelson that runs down | | | | the builder has, in order to select the right kind of |
| the center of the ribs. To the forward end of this | | | | boat for him. First let's look at woodworking skills. |
| element, the vertical timber that forms the prow | | | | Do you like to work with wood? Does planing on |
| of the boat is attached, called the stem. | | | | a nice piece of hardwood bring you joy? Do you |
| Two longitudinal frame elements run along the | | | | like the smell, the feel and derive satisfaction |
| upper edges of the hull, one on each side, called | | | | from shaping wood? Don't laugh. This is a serious |
| sheer clamps. Two more elements are added the | | | | question. Some people will say, yes, that's me. I |
| bend of the ribs where the hull bottom transitions | | | | love it! Some will say, no, not really. I see it as a |
| to the hull sides. This joint in the hull is called the | | | | means to an end and I just want to get done. |
| chine and the frame member installed here is | | | | If you're in the first group, loving to work wood, |
| called the chine log. Depending on the size of the | | | | you probably have what it takes to make a |
| hull and the designer's philosophy, sometimes, | | | | framed boat. It requires woodworking and being |
| additional longitudinal members may be specified | | | | careful about joint fits. It requires some patience |
| to complete the boat hull framing. | | | | and a sense of pride in your workmanship. |
| Most often each of these joints are glued and | | | | If you're in the second group, you probably should |
| screwed or in somtimes, bolted together. These | | | | build a stitch and glue boat. They go together |
| days, high strength synthetic adhesives, such as | | | | much faster with fewer steps. They also require |
| epoxy or the new polyurethane adhesives make | | | | less woodworking knowledge and use of tools. |
| an excellent for bonded joints because unlike the | | | | You still have to be able to cut out plywood fairly |
| older natural, casein, or polyvinyl acetate glues, | | | | precisely, but almost everything can be done with |
| the modern glues will still hold even if the joints | | | | simple power tools. |
| aren't perfectly matched. They fill gaps better. | | | | Building a stitch and glue boat is a messier |
| Next the plywood planking is leaned against the | | | | proposition than a ply on frame hull. You have to |
| framework, cut a bit oversized, glued and nailed | | | | mix and spread lots of epoxy, usually wearing |
| (or screwed in-place) and trimmed to the edges | | | | rubber gloves, If you scratch your nose, you're |
| of the framing. Finally the plywood is finished off | | | | going to have to spend some unpleasant time |
| with one or more layers of fiberglass, or simply | | | | with acetone getting the epoxy off too. Working |
| saturated in epoxy to improve strength, abrasion | | | | with wood, you just dust yourself off most days. |
| resistance, and water incursion. | | | | There are adhesives used, but not to the extent |
| Stitch and glue boats, on the other hand are built | | | | of a stitch and glue boat. |
| in an entirely different manner. These boats are | | | | When you sand epoxy, you should wear a |
| built using precisely cut panels that will end up | | | | respirator to prevent epoxy and fiberglass dust |
| forming the shape of the hull. There is no internal | | | | from getting into your lungs. Sawdust isn't as |
| framing, or if there is, it takes the form of | | | | damaging to your system, but I still do wear a |
| bulkheads rather than frame elements. The builder | | | | respirator when sanding large expanses of wood |
| uses either full sized panel drawings supplied by | | | | with a power sander. |
| the designer, or lays out the finished shape of the | | | | Well, I hope this has helped you decide which of |
| sides and bottom of the hull on the plywood | | | | the two types of hulls to build. I would strongly |
| planking. The planking is then cut out. One side | | | | encourage everyone to build a boat. It's a fun |
| may be used as a pattern for the other, because | | | | hobby and a great experience. It's also the parent |
| getting both sides precisely the same shape and | | | | and child project. I can't imagine a better |
| keeping the bottom very symmetrical are | | | | experience for a child than to learn woodworking |
| important. | | | | by helping to build a boat and take it fishing. |
| Once the panels are cut out a row of small holes | | | | |