Side Decks
Side Decks | |
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I thought this bit was going to be easy, but it was one of the hardest parts of the build so far.
The carlins have to be fitted before their length can be determined and they cannot be fitted until their length is correct.
The ply side decks were scarphed, dry fitted to the hull and shaped to the hull. The carlin was then clamped to the side deck to give an approximate length for the carlin - when fitted to the hull the side deck is not flat and the carlin will need to be longer. |
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A side deck / carlin template was made to allow the carlin / transom beam joint to be cut.
Another side deck / carlin template was made to allow the deck beam joint to be cut at the forward end of the carlin.
The side deck was fitted to the hull. The joint was then cut into the carlin and the carlin fitted to the aft end of the side deck / transom beam. Wood was clamped by the joint in the transom beam to protect it from being split by the twisting force of the carlin. |
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| The carlin was then clamped along the length of the side deck. A lot of clamps and blocks of wood were used provide enough force to bend the carlin. The forward end of the carlin was trimmed a few mm at a time until it could be fitted into the joint in the deck beam / hanging frame. This might have been easier if I had fitted the hanging frame after the carlin. | 
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Once the carlin was successfully clamped along the length of the side deck the side deck was screwed to the carlin.
The second side deck / carlin was fitted following the same procedure. Lengths of wood were clamped across both side decks at various points along the length of the deck to check that the side decks were lying at the same angle. |
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This is a difficult (or should that be awkward) part of the build but it strengthens the hull and transforms its appearance.
Once everything had been dry fitted successfully it was removed and then glued and screwed in place. Epoxy acts as a lubricant until it cures and a second pair of hands was very useful, particularly with the carlins which require some force to get them into shape. |
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