Monday, February 7, 2022

Nutshell Pram EXCUSE ME Bottom Plank

 07 Feb 22:

Time to make sure the ladder frame is level, so that the transom and mid frame will be level.


We used some wedges to level the ladder frame fore and aft, and side to side. The screwed the ladder frame to the strongback that it is resting on. 


We also added braces to the molds and made sure that they were plumb.



Predrilled and counterbored holes to attach the forekeel.


Forekeel will be attached with TotalBoat THIXO Flex thickened epoxy and #8 silicon bronze screws.


Another bead of THIXO was added to the aft face of the bow transom. 


Then we screwed the forekeel to the transom and wiped off any excess epoxy that squeezed out.


The aft end of the forekeel rests in a notch on Mold #1. Now would be a good time to put some clear tape over the mold notch, because when the bottom plank is epoxied and screwed onto the forekeel,  excess epoxy can squeeze out and adhere the forekeel to the mold...not desired...ask us how we know...


Measured and drew the lines for the bottom plank. Skipper may or may not have noticed that I borrowed her new kitchen crocks to aid in the process.


The bottom plank is dry fit, screws are piloted and counterbored, and then all the sawdust is swept away before the epoxy comes out.



Now is a good time to reach underneath the boat and clean off excess epoxy. Easier than sanding later.


The screws can be left in or removed after the epoxy dries. We plan to leave them in, so we counterbored the hole with a Fuller combination pilot bit and counterbore. We will fair the hole with epoxy based fairing compound, TotalFair. We also used silicon bronze, best for use below the waterline. 


Log of EXCUSE ME.

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