More Decks
Clamping the first half of the deck was no big deal since I could put as many clamps as I needed along the centerline of the boat. This was really straightfoward - cut the part out, fair the edges, and glue down. The plans called for 1/4" ply for the decks, but I used 3/8" because that was what I had. Bending the thicker plywood in was not a challege, compared to the garboards!
The second half of the deck was not so simple.... First I had to spend a good deal of time carefully fitting the piece into place, since I want to clear finish the decks (yeah, I know, why do it the easy way). Clamping the deck down along the center line was a challege. The 4x4 beam is screwed on to the cross beams and the whole affair is clamped to the gunwales. Then I used about two bundles of shims to clamp the deck down. At first I didn't have the middle cross beam in place, but all those shims developed enough force to bend the 4x4! All that force was transmitted to the gunwales at six small points, which turned out to be a great stress test for the gunwales. Nothing cracked or came loose, so I know that they are really strong.
And here it is all done. Whew. The coamings are bent laminations out of ash, attached to the boat with bronze screws and epoxy. I made the blanks during the cold weather so they were ready to fit as soon as the decks were on.
And here she is, decks and coaming done. I'm so close, I can almost feel Goldberry heel to a fresh spring breeze. All I have left is the aft hatch coaming and cover, and a bit of painting and varnishing.