Hull SIde alignment

[Dmksails]

Hi All.

I'm getting back into my build and have wired in the two side panels. They look pretty good, except for two issues. One - I have a 1/4-in gap on both sides of the bow. I've read that this is pretty common and that I can simply fill it in with epoxy if I can't get it to close up.

The second issue is the side panel alignment with the bulkheads. The two panels are aligned with the top of the both cradle arms. The port side panel is aligned with the top of BH1 and BH2. The starboard panel is 1/8-in low at BH2 and 1/4-in higher that BH1. (see pics). The tops of the cradle arms and the cleats on the bulkheads are all level.

I'm going to try re-wiring the starboard panel starting at the bow instead of the stern. If this doesn't work, how much of a problem is this mis-match between the panels and the bulkheads?

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[dbeck]

Hi DMKSails,

we found the bow difficult too. As suggested by some other builders, we used c-clamps to bring the panels together (see photo).

We also needed quite some time to get the alignment of bulkhead #1 and #2 right. We used a cross line laser (just a cheap one from amazon) to verify the centerboard case and bow are truly vertical and the bulkheads (where they meet the upper sidepanels) are horizontal. Always recheck with a bubble level too. If I remember right, we spent a few days with (re)wiring until we were satisfied.

Personally, I find 1/4" gap or misalignment not good enough, but 1/8" might be ok.

Cheers,

Dietrich

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