PocketShip.net

Hi Everyone:

I've been wrestling the side hull panels onto the bottom hull panels this evening. Finally get them stitched up - but there's quite a gap between the panels towards the bow. The gap runs about 8 inches long and is 3/8" at it's widest. I've tried soaking the panels, used the alignment tool suggested, extra stitches - but can't get the gap to close. After much salty language and pulled out hair I decided to throw it to you guys.

Is it ok to leave as is? If not, may I have your recommendation(s) please.

Also, how in the hell do you get the final 1" of the bottom hull panel at the bow to meet?

Good luck,
Jimmy Vitale

Hi Jimmy,

I resorted to to screwing some 3/4 x1" cleats on either side of the joint and pulling it together with c-clamps. You still need the alignment tool to keep the edges together though.

Chris

Hi Chris:

Many thanks. Will try it. What do you think of putting some tape on the outside of the joint where the gap is hoping it will support the fillets....?

Jimmy V

I resorted to drilling holes through the bow and using a turn buckle attached to cables, dragged the panels together. The war can be won by any means.

Hi Jimmy,

If you don't get that gap closed enough to not need tape the hull shape will be off. I tacked the joint then filleted around the alignment tool and put some cloth into the wet fillets to hold eveything until the final glassing could be done. The whole bow section is a good spot for extra cloth. Especially at the pad eye that takes all the stress pulling the boat onto the trailer.

Chris

Chris:

Ok, thanks. Good advice. Gonna tackle it tomorrow.

Jimmy V

Not sure if you've already gotten past this point, but like Chris, I used clamps to pull the panels together. I screwed a small wood block through the hull panel then used the Irwin. One extra thing I did was to be sure to use a longer block so I could turn it and it could then act like an alignment tool, too. So I didn't have issues with multiple blocks or having to unscrew the alignment tool, mucking up the alignment. Depending which panel is sticking out is the block you turn to align the panels. It worked pretty well. The same scheme worked for the bow, which came together nicely with very little tugging. I'll have more photos and an explanation on my blog when I get around to updating it, but here are some photos which I hope help. I removed the blocks and clamps after stitching and it holds.

In the first photo, you can see the original gap which is much smaller in the second photo. Also in the second photo, you can see the screw holes where I moved the blocks forward. I didn't want to have too many in at a time. The third photo is tough to make out, but there is NO block on the port side panel, just the Irwin foot. There's still less than 1/8" separating the panels about 6 inches long but it's even on both sides and will be easy to fillet.

True North:

Hey, thanks for the advice and pics. Gonna try it.

Jimmy V