: 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

Hi Et,

I use partial sheerclamps in the ends, then tape what is relatively easy to reach. Both methods work about equally, but the taped seam is lighter and perhaps somewhat stronger. I use pieces long enough so I can reach them thru the hatches.

Even most realatively round hull deck combinations usually flatten out enough at the bow/stern so this method works.

Bill H.