Outer Stems and keel

Having completed the planking we had to prepare the apron and hood ends of the bow and stern to accept the outer stems. The flat along the hog/garboard joint needed planing to accept the keel. We found that it helped to lower our building frame, initially high to aid access for planking, so that we could get to the keel area without tottering precariously on ladders and upturned fishboxes.  Even lowered getting to the garboards to plane the flat for the keel was a bit of a struggle. If we do another we will plane the flat at about plank three stage whilst we still have the building frame to stand on.

detail of hood ends of planks showing dory lap

Halfway through dropping the building frame

Topher trying the outer stem for fit.

The cleaned up bow ready for the outer stem

Outer stem at bow glued and clamped

Outer stem at stern glued and clamped

Bow stem planed back to take the keel

Looking along the keel line, still some trimming to do to the garboards. In hindsight it may be easier to plane the garboards to give the keel flat befor planks 4-6 go on – access is easier.

the scarf in the keel, spot the join

Keel glued and temporarily screwed in place

Keel still curing, Port side excess epoxy cleaned up except where the Stems and Keel are glued

Detail of stern stem and keel

Detail of bow stem and keel

Head on view of bow stem showing a nod to the traditional workboat style

Threequarter view of bow stem

Planking before cleanup, nice squeeze of epoxy indicating a solid join.

Planking after cleanup, using a hot air gun and modified knife gets a good clean surface with minimum effort.

The sweetness of the design is beginning to show

Adrian, QCM, leaving his mark on the boat

the ‘Spear head’ profile taking shape

Almost finished

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