PocketShip.net

I am sure that my PocketShip kit-build will take me some time. Probably 3-5 years I'm guessing, unless I can quit my day job (she says no).

While preparing my workshop I'm thinking about where and how I will store various panels and timber pieces that won't be needed for a while. Some of these may be epoxied or glassed early in the process and assembled a year or so from now. I will be freeing all CNC pieces at the outset, i.e. not be storing full 4x8 sheets.

My concern is warpage. Is there a 'best practice' way to store panels and timber? Standing up on end? Laid flat? Covered?

My shop is in a conditioned basement so temp and humidity will be that of my normal living area.

I have a Jimmy Skiff II mast that laid on the concrete floor for a year before tapering and when I went to taper there was some slight warping that I don't believe was there before. So I at least will try to keep the wood off the floor from now on. But I'm curious if orientation matters at all.

My guess is that laid flat with some evenly distributed weight on top would be best. But due to space I'm likely to be forced to stand some on-end. If I do this, my thoughts are to stack against a wall with some sort of brace to keep everything flat against the wall instead of leaning at an angle. I'd probably even create a small shelf 6-8 inches off the ground too.

Critique and/or encouragement in my thinking is welcomed. Worrying too much, too little?

Thanks y'all.

Creekboater,

1-The best way to store the plywood parts would be flat
2- The second best would probably be against the wall with something underneath to prevent wicking up through the cement floor.
3-The tighter you secure the plywood to a wall, the less chance for warping.

I'm storing my parts flat on top of some cardboard. Even with all this said, some of my parts are slightly warped. But, it hasn't been a bid deal yet...
Just my 2 cents...

During the year I was constructing my boat, I kept a bunch of plywood pieces under various beds in my home.
It's an ideal location: flat and dry. The biggest pieces, like the sides, get installed fairly early in the build process, so
we were able to tolerate them being in the way for a while.

BTW, here is lumber and fiberglass holder I threw together before starting the build:



It was extremely handy, since it held the roll of fiberglass cloth (on a metal rod that ran across the very top)
and all the longer timber pieces (e.g. for the spars, rails , and cleats). It stayed against a wall, and kept everything
secure, while taking up very little space. I could unroll the fiberglass (like a giant paper towel holder) and
cut off what I needed.

If anyone is starting a build in New Jersey, they are welcome to come and get it, otherwise it will probably end up
in a New Year's bonfire.

Thank you both. I think i'm on the right track then.

Doug, the rod for fiberglass is a great idea. Will probably steal that one!

Kind regards.

It started off as a fiberglass dispenser that I built before the kit arrived, and once I realized how
many pieces of wood I needed to store, it evolved into a lumber rack as well.