[bolger] Windsprint Gunwale day
Notice the title says GUNWALE not GUNWALES. There's only one on.
As documented with previous posts, I want some type of fore and aft decking
on the boat, mostly for flotation. The standard Windsprint gunwale would
require a crowned deck or not look right. I had decided on flat decks for
simplicity (Ha!)
Anyway, after reviewing some alternatives to give myself a flat gunwale all
the way around, I decided to rip a new first course (Windsprint requires
three courses total). The plan courses are 5/8 thick by 1 1/2 and easy to
bend. I decided to bevel the inside edge, which meant the top edge would be
about 1/2 and the bottom closed to 7/8 ( maybe even a full 1 inch). This
was NOT as easy to bend. But it wasn't too terrible. It did use up clamps
faster than I have them. this meant I got the epoxy glue on about 1/2 the
gunwale, clamped, nailed from the inside (I patted myself for having the
good sense to order some 3/4-14 ring nails several months ago), then removed
most of the clamps and repeated for the other end. Before you say SHEETROCK
SCREWS DUMMY! let me say that I decided to trade a little work for not
having to fill a bunch of holes later on. I find I really despise filling
lots of holes, and nailing from the inside is pretty easy with a big sledge
hammer to back the nailing. I also pre-drill just a bit to get past the
very hard first veneer in the pine plywood.
Succesive courses should go faster (especially once I get a gunwale on the
other side). BTW, I had a chance to use my new power plane in getting the
upper edges of the sides flat. Worked great once I got the hang of it.
Memo to would be power planer users: get the dust bag accessory. This thing
makes almost as much mess as a router.
Robert & Amy Lundy
St. Petersburg, fla.
robert@...
amy@...
As documented with previous posts, I want some type of fore and aft decking
on the boat, mostly for flotation. The standard Windsprint gunwale would
require a crowned deck or not look right. I had decided on flat decks for
simplicity (Ha!)
Anyway, after reviewing some alternatives to give myself a flat gunwale all
the way around, I decided to rip a new first course (Windsprint requires
three courses total). The plan courses are 5/8 thick by 1 1/2 and easy to
bend. I decided to bevel the inside edge, which meant the top edge would be
about 1/2 and the bottom closed to 7/8 ( maybe even a full 1 inch). This
was NOT as easy to bend. But it wasn't too terrible. It did use up clamps
faster than I have them. this meant I got the epoxy glue on about 1/2 the
gunwale, clamped, nailed from the inside (I patted myself for having the
good sense to order some 3/4-14 ring nails several months ago), then removed
most of the clamps and repeated for the other end. Before you say SHEETROCK
SCREWS DUMMY! let me say that I decided to trade a little work for not
having to fill a bunch of holes later on. I find I really despise filling
lots of holes, and nailing from the inside is pretty easy with a big sledge
hammer to back the nailing. I also pre-drill just a bit to get past the
very hard first veneer in the pine plywood.
Succesive courses should go faster (especially once I get a gunwale on the
other side). BTW, I had a chance to use my new power plane in getting the
upper edges of the sides flat. Worked great once I got the hang of it.
Memo to would be power planer users: get the dust bag accessory. This thing
makes almost as much mess as a router.
Robert & Amy Lundy
St. Petersburg, fla.
robert@...
amy@...