Thanks for the info.

I am surprised that there isn't alittle more information as well, now
that I am getting down to it and actually facing the construction.

I cut out one side and bottom, cleaned up the edges, and traced the
second from that. I had to cut the second by hand, with my Bosch (sabre)
saw, and on first fit they are close enough. Clamped together I will
sand them as one this afternoon.

The drawings don't show butt blocks where the side panels need to be
extended from 8 to 10 ft, and there isn't enough wood to lose any inches
on a scarph (thank christ, I don't want to learn that little skill on
this project).

All the pieces are now cut out, and I think I'll see how they fit
together with wire/ties. Maybe that will give me some clue as to what
the designer was thinking.

Thank you for your thoughts, they are giving me an idea how to proceed.

Jonathan

Brian D wrote:
I'm surprised that your designer didn't give more instructions on how to
assemble the pieces. Basically every variation exists, and most are
designed to allow a little natural error in the process, e.g. wood bends a
little different. Others are very exact and you make the wood conform
rather than the design conforming to the wood. For example, some boats use
various methods to build the sides, then fit and mark the bottom to the
boat. Others have you make the bottom assembly and fit the sides to it.
Some use forms, some don't. Square (measure diagonals) and level cross the
board are the first rules, and faire curves are the next.

Concerning your questions about the sides, note that you can and should do
whatever you can to provide symmetry to the boat. On side panels, you will
typically do the best you can on one panel, then trace it out on a second
and cut it out very carefully. After cutting, you can clamp them face to
face and do what you need to in order to make them the same ...planing,
sanding, etcetera ...always keeping as close to design as you can and also
maintaining fair curves.. One of my favorite techniques is to use a top
(closer to router) bearing template bit on my router. Make the first panel
as described, then use it as a template for a router for cutting out the
second side. Be careful with the bits though, since many light boats use
thin plywood. Often times, the router bit's guide bearing will miss the
template when the cutter portion is aligned well with the piece getting cut.
This can cause the bearing to ride over the ply and the cutter will dig into
both pieces. If you really want perfection, you can make a very nice
template from thicker ply then use it as a template to cut out both sides.

Brian