Vol. 64, No. 3 Autumn 2019


278 the keel, and so on) will depend on the model. I prefer to leave fi nal fi tting of the keel as late as possible


because it is easier to sand the frames if it is absent. T at brings me to what I think is the key improvement to this building method. Using an engineer’s marking gauge running along the edge of the building board (and remembering the care you took to ensure that the hull was exactly centered between those edges), it is easy to check the symmetry of each frame at any height.


Do not worry if you do not have an engineer’s gauge. (Figure 6) You can make a very simple substitute from scrap wood in a matter of minutes. (Figure 7)


T is is where the end plates and the reference edges come into their own. Print out the body plan with whatever detail may be required—stations, frames, positions of wales or clamps, and so on—and glue it to one end plate, ensuring that the reference plane and centerline both are aligned. As the spray mount adhesive makes it easy to remove a print, it may be useful to attach diff erent body plans at diff erent stages: individual frames during the initial truing up and station lines when ensuring a clean run of wales or planking, for example.


T e marking gauge can now be used to check the accuracy of each frame during the initial truing-up and sanding. Simply slide it along to the body plan, set the pointer on the chosen spot for a particular frame, then slide it along to the frame in question. (Figure 8) Having ensured that the frame is correct at that point on one side, transfer the gauge to the opposite side of the board and check the symmetry of the frame.


Once the frames have been trued up and sanded, the body plan can be replaced by one showing the run of wales, deck clamps, planking, and so on, and the gauge used to transfer those lines as a prelude to planking. Again, the initial symmetry of the building board ensures that the hull will remain symmetrical throughout these processes. (Figure 9)


Note, too, that with the end plates fi tted, the hull can be turned over at any time to allow work on the interior. Figure 10 shows the interior being fi tted out aſt er planking. It usually is more convenient to remove the end plates during the planking process, but they can be replaced aſt erwards to serve as supports.


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