: This weekend, I mated the hull and deck of the Redfish Spring Run I am
: building. I used strapping tape to pull the deck and hull seam into
: alignment but the deck was about 1/8" wider for about 1 foot near the
: bow. I tried everything but there was just no way to get a perfect fit.
: So, I installed the inside seam tape anyway with the understanding that I
: would have to do some work on the outside to get a smooth seam. Bummer!

: After looking at the boat this morning, I discovered that there are quite a
: few more places along both outside seams that appear to be mismatched 1/16
: or so. Could the deck and hull have shifted slightly during the
: application of the inside seam tape? I put lots of tape in place and
: certainly did not think anything could move but seems to have happened
: anyway. It looks like I will have to work these edges smooth before
: applying the outside seam tape.

: Since I'm a rookie strip builder, I need some advice on how to make the best
: of this not so perfect edge. I have a "shinto wrasp" that would
: seem to be a good tool to work this edge smooth and then sand before
: applying the outside seam tape. How would you seasoned builders deal with
: this issue?

: I suspect I'm not the first to ever have this issue but am a bit embarrased
: just the same.

: I sure would appreciate advice on the best way to deal with my goof.
: Hopefully, I can this boat seaworthy anyway....

: Bob Beaullieu

Hi Bob

Just another slant on this problem which comes up from time to time on this forum.

Designers want to ovoid their customers making large errors so most would probably not advocate the following method because there is room for error glassing the inside first off the stations, it works for me though for two reasons.

I glass the hull as usual. Outside first and then turn over and do the inside. Preferrably without a long wait between the two to avoid distortion due to moisture uptake.

The deck though I do differently. Once it is glued up and holding together I remove it from the stations, put it in a cradle, and glass th inside (underneath)

Then, using a sheerclamp (see picture), I join hull and deck. Then I sand the outside and glass the deck while simultaneously joining it to the hull.

the following links to previous posts clarify further with pictures as well.

http://www.kayakforum.com/cgi-bin/Building/index.cgi/frames/read/168309

http://www.kayakforum.com/cgi-bin/Building/index.cgi/frames/read/168310

The reasons I like to do it this way are 1. the deck is much more flexible with only one side glassed, this has obvious advantages while joining to the hull, and 2. the deck can be joined to the hull in one go while glassing the outside without taping the seam. (half the feathering required and easier to get looking good on top.)

This sheerclamp method only works easily with boats with gunwhales that are not too rounded. It can be done with rounded gunwhales but is more difficult.

I expect I may get a bit of scolding for this, but I am a reckless guy.

Anyone else use this method by the way??

Etienne