ribs. Applying a fl at plank to a curved rib leaves a gap at either edge; this typically becomes worse at the turn of the bilge where the hull curvature is greatest. Full size boat builders fi x this problem by hollowing the insides of their planks, a process called “backing out,” done with hand planes having convex blades. I used a hobby knife with a curved blade as a scraper to do exactly the same thing. (Figure 17) To compensate for the hollowing, builders usually made the planks requiring more of it a bit thicker and I did the same.
Caulking
Aſt er priming I sprayed the outside of the one model I would caulk with Badger #16-416 “Caprail Green” acrylic paint followed with a couple of coats of Floquil F110015 solvent based “Flat Finish.” I use that as a clear over-coat on all painted surfaces to even out gloss variations and on unpainted wood, where it looks like a satin varnish. T e fact that it is solvent based makes it soak into raw wood in the same way as CA and any CA glue stains vanish (see my Shop Note on clear coats and cyanoacrylates in NRJ 63:3).
