> Well,

> Not minutes after someone posted a question about my using 3M bubbles as a
> thickener in my scarf joints, and the possible ramifacations to strength,
> did one break. Now what? I have to assume that all six joints are weak and
> I don't know how to fix it. Do I intentionally break all the joints re
> scarf them and re-epoxy them? I'll be losing some length, does this mean
> even more scarfs on the ends to add length? should I start over with new
> plywood? The instructions call for wood flour as a thickener, I'm told saw
> dust works as well, are they just for colour? Had I just used epoxy and
> hardener would the joint have been stronger? I had originally just used
> epoxy and hardener but added the only thickener I had because one of my
> CLC manuals said to, of course it doesn't say why (strength, colout etc.)

> Look forward to more of your wisdom. Dan

I too had a bad scarf while building my Chessie 17. I just cut out the bad scarf (actually two bad scarfs) and re-did them. Since I was building from plans, I had enough wood available to lenghten that additional piece that was scarfed to the panels that made up the sides of the boat. I don't know what I would have done if this had been a kit.

hth

Don