I finally got to start on my Pocketship over the weekend. I am building from a kit and the first thing I noticed is that most of the 9mm plywood is warped. After cutting out the two centerboard case sides, I found there was about 1/4" bow in both pieces from the leading edge to the trailing edge. To make matters worse, both sides are laid out in the same direction, so they both warp in the same direction rather than opposite of each other. I weighted the ends for about 24 hours and by the time I was ready to start fiberglassing most of the warp seemed to have worked itself out. Unfortunately, by the time I was done fiberglassing the warp had returned. I estimate it is now about a 3/8" bow with the fiberglass at a green cure stage. Has anyone else had this trouble? If so, I would like to know what was done to correct the situation. At this point I am considering laminating a horizontal rib the length of the centerboard case to the outside of the centerboard case on both sides just above the level of the floors. The rib would be 1 1/2 wide and 1 1/2 " high where it is glued to the centerboard case. The top surface would be tapered to 3/4" high on the outside edge. This would form a bevel between the floorboards and the centerboard case. I am hoping a single rib on each side will straighten out the panels and not cause the panels to twist instead. If anybody has any alternative ideas I would love to hear them. Thanks in advance.
Don Maurer
Brownsburg, IN