Hull Bottom
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The 12 mm Okume plywood used for the transom turned out to be pretty stiff and would not easily bend forward to meet the curve of the back edge of the hull bottom. Likewise, the 12 mm plywood bottom would not easily bend upwards to meet the curve of the bottom of the transom.
Pictured at the right are the extra tools that were required to bend the transom to the hull bottom and the hull bottom to the transom. two 30" bar clamps, an adjustable cargo strap, two cargo tie-down straps with integral "come-along" ratchets, and a wood clamp.
The wood clamp was attached to the stem to provide a stop for the cargo strap to prevent the strap from sliding down the sloping front of the stem. The cargo strap was adjusted to form a loop around the stem. The bight of the loop anchored the ends of the tie-down straps which were then run around the lower port and starboard edges of the transom and hooked to each other over the rudder skeg. Tightening the ratchets pulled the corners of the transom forward to meet the bottom of the hull. The bar clamps were then used to raise the stern corners of the hull bottom to meet the upward curve of the transom. Scrap wood blocks protected the hull bottom from being dimpled by the clamps. The top edge of the transom was expendable as I had cut it two inches too high, to be cut down flush with the deck later.
All the straps and clamps were tested with dry fitted parts. When I was sure it would all go together smoothly, the straps and clamps were loosened, glue applied, straps and clamps tightened, and finally the screws were drilled and driven to complete the assembly.
Attaching the deck presented the same problems. The Stevenson Weekender construction video shows a couple of people holding the deck down to the transom, and the transom forward to the deck, while someone else drives the screws. This didn't work for me, even with 260 lb Bill from across the street standing on the very edge of the deck. This was an exciting time for me as we didn't figure this out until after the glue had been spread and the first few screws set. So out came the bar clamps and wood blocks to draw together the transom and deck. Fortunately, the plastic resin glue I was using has a two hour pot life and a twenty minute joint life which leaves plenty of time for minor adjustments.