Hi, I'm a complete novice but expect to build an optimist from plans
using stich and glue technique. I was wondeing if there is any "best"
way to cut the sections out of the ply with regard to grain direction
and stiffness.

Cheers

Philip

its traditional for the face grain to run fore-and-aft

philip cosson ) writes:
Hi, I'm a complete novice but expect to build an optimist from plans
using stich and glue technique. I was wondeing if there is any "best"
way to cut the sections out of the ply with regard to grain direction
and stiffness.

Cheers

Philip


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philip cosson ) writes:

I have also been encouraged to bias the boats weight by having lighter
fore and aft transoms and a heavy daggerboard case. What am I trying
to achieve? keeping the weight in the middle and low down? What
materials can I substitute for these areas that are lighter and
heavier than standard 6mm exterior ply wood?

I was being humourous with the "tradtional" remark.

Since you are building an Optimist pram, a one design racing and training
sailing dingy with a large class association, I'd look for websites
dedicated to the class for detailed advice on construction. One design
boats have to meet size and weight specifications in order to race. The
specs pretty well determine the materials. I doubt anyone lays the plywood
on the bias. I'd wager it all runs fore-and-aft as the boat will be be
lighter and stiffer that way.

If interested there are some numbers on the bending radius of plywood in a
file on my website (see below). Click on "Boats".

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On 24 Jul 2003 12:18:50 GMT, (William R.
Watt) wrote:

I doubt anyone lays the plywood
on the bias. I'd wager it all runs fore-and-aft as the boat will be be
lighter and stiffer that way.

Then I'm afraid you would lose. What was the wager?
The Slo-Mo-Shun hydros (at least V, can't remember IV) had decks with
P. Mahogany plywood with face veneers at 45 degrees.

Very striking effect.

(philip cosson) wrote in message . com...
Hi, I'm a complete novice but expect to build an optimist from plans
using stich and glue technique. I was wondeing if there is any "best"
way to cut the sections out of the ply with regard to grain direction
and stiffness.

Cheers

Philip

Not to be a wise ass, but what material do the origional plans call
for? Use plywood with as many plys as possible, especially if you are
going to have to end join with either scarf or butt joints. It is
really important to know how the inside of the boat is framed, what
materials the plan calls for and so fourth before we can make a good
determination as to what you should do...
Scotty from SmallBoats.com

P.C. Ford ) writes:
On 24 Jul 2003 12:18:50 GMT, (William R.
Watt) wrote:

I doubt anyone lays the plywood
on the bias. I'd wager it all runs fore-and-aft as the boat will be be
lighter and stiffer that way.

Then I'm afraid you would lose. What was the wager?
The Slo-Mo-Shun hydros (at least V, can't remember IV) had decks with
P. Mahogany plywood with face veneers at 45 degrees.

Very striking effect.

no doubt, but this thread is about building an Optimist pram.
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