Forecastle and Gunwales

I have continued to build the gunwales (pronounced 'gunnels'), First came the inwale made from two pieces laminated together.

Then two one inch filler pieces, followed by the carlin which was laminated from two pieces. Altogether these six pieces form the gunwale (see picture above)

I then began work on the tiny forecastle (pronounced 'Folk sull') which I intend to be make from a half-inch marine ply ground piece, which will be planked over. I don't want the edge of the plywood exposed and so I am setting it in to lie flush with the top planks.

Starting to Look Like a Boat at Last.

Now we have domestic help I can spend more time on the Boat Build!

I had left the top of the stem uncut as I wanted it to be a mile-stone: it would go when the first deck beam went in.

I have finished the quarter-knees and transom-knee.

The Small Triangular Quarter Knee (one on either side)

Transom Knee 

Still looking scruffy, but a good sanding and epoxy resin will work wonders

Quarter Knees, Inwales and Floors

I have now cut and fitted the quarter knees, which strengthen the transom to sides. 

Here is the port quarter knee (triangular piece)

Then I fixed the after most floor with Epoxy Resin with added Fillet Fibres, which were piped though a forcing-bag, as used in icing (topping) cakes.

Aft floor glued to planks by epoxy resin fillets

Last week, I fitted one layer of the starboard inwale to the top  strake of planking (see last posting). Today, I added the second starboard layer by laminating it (gluing it) to the first layer: It would have been difficult to bend one thick inwale and so it is made from two pieces.

The two laminated layers of the laminated inwale, looking Forward, clamped to the outer planking

View of  Starboard Inwale Looking Aft

As in the first layer, I had to scarf-joint the second layer: it wasn't long enough and I had to add a smaller length joined to the longer piece.

Scarf Joint - the length of the joint is calculated by multiplying the thickness by 8. The joint above is 4 inches long as it is 0.5 inch thick