Lofting the Deck:
 |
 |
 |
 |
If anybody has any doubts about their ability to build this boat, take a good look at these pictures. Here we have Mini-me working on the deck lofting. The procedure is simple enough that even a four year old can do it.
First a centerline is drawn lengthwise on the marine-grade okume plywood panel. Next the locations of the station lines are marked off and labeled at 12 inch intervals along the centerline. The labeling of each station is important as it makes it easier to pick up where you have left off after the various interruptions to the boat building activities inevitably occur. (Snack time, nap time, potty breaks, etc.) Then a panel T-Square is used to mark the station lines perpendicular to the centerline.
The plans are then consulted to read the offsets at each station from the centerline out to the edge of the hull. The offsets are transferred to the plywood panel and printed right on the station lines with a pencil so that we cannot get lost after interruptions. A long batten clamped with an edge right on the centerline makes measuring the offsets out from the centerline along each station line with a tape measure a snap.
Mini-me is driving nails at the offset marks to form a fence of nails, which with the help of a 16 ft long flexible batten of 1 inch by 1 inch wood will define the edge of the deck. The batten will be pushed against the nails to form a nice smooth arc and marked with a pencil.
So far Mini-me has had to learn how to read the dimensions off the plans, understand fractions, and use a tape measure. He also understands how to hold a hammer at the end of the grip, but this particular framing hammer is a little much to handle. Mini-me has also gotten fairly adept at measuring out the water for the plastic resin glue using an adjustable-zero 32 oz capacity kitchen scale. I have been unable to mix up any glue without him insisting on helping.