However, if the planking cannot be fully encapsulated, meaning kept DRY, then
i'd hesitate to fill seams with something firm like splines or epoxy putty. If
the planking gets wet and tries to expand, something has to give. It might be
frames or fastenings.
Only if the planking is of a species that doesn't swell much, might you get away
with this.

Jacques Mertens wrote:

Good method.
Ideally you should fiberglass the hull outside for extra protection.
While you are at it, fiberglass the inside too, it will increase strength
tremendously.
If you use biaxial glass, it will become a true sandwich.
Note that you don't really need to start with wood, you could us foam
strips, that would be even better.
Oops, we just got ourself a real nice composite boat . . .

--
Jacques
http://www.bateau.com

"Scott Downey" wrote in message
...

http://www.azom.com/details.asp?ArticleID=1116
Glued Carvel
Plank edges may be shaped and glued with a thickened epoxy mix or
alternatively the seams of dry fitted planks may be routed later to a
constant width and fitted with wooden splines which are glued into place.
This latter method is the usual treatment when a traditionally built
carvel
craft is reconstructed using epoxy adhesives as part of a full restoration
program. Sometimes a thickened epoxy mix is introduced into the seams as
an
alternative to wooden splines and this seems to be just as effective in
fastening the plank edges together. The planking is also glued to the
spine
and framework, which on new boats is built of laminated hardwood, glued
and
coated with epoxy.