> Tom,

> CLC's decks are of the bent-plywood variety, made out of (2) 8' pieces and
> (1) 1' piece scarfed together. There are 2 arched deck supports that go
> fore and aft of the cocpit for strength and for defining the arch. The
> deck is attached to the hull sides by shear clamps, which is what I think
> you are calling inwales. The deck is bent into place and both epoxied and
> nailed to the shear clamps. I haven't built a CLC, just a Pygmy so far,
> but this is what I've gleaned from their site. Keep poking around their
> site and you'll find more...

> Dean

Good description, Dean. One minor correction on the deck beams - the two beams are located one in front of the cockpit and one a foot or so back from the bow. The forward and rear bulkheads also provide support for the deck. I built one of these boats this summer. It went together very well and I am very pleased with it. From a 'looks' standpoint I really like the smoothly curved deck.

I understand the decks of other designs are stitched on and then anchored with fiberglass tape. I can't imagine trying to get that rolled out and wetted working from inside the boat. I know it can be done, I just have no desire to try it! Another benefit of the CLC method of deck attachment is that the bulkheads can be installed before the deck goes on, making things much easier. The bulkhead/deck joint is the only one that needs to be finished after the deck is installed, and that's accessible from the cockpit and hatches.

-- Dave