> 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 like the looks, don't like the performance. Unlike a peaked deck, water "rolls" back a lot farther if your bow is submerged or a wave breaks over it. I have had a couple waves that didn't break until the coaming--an arched deck would have shed that water before then.

> 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!

That's how it's done on all the strip-built boats I know of, and most production composite boats. Sounds like a good challenge to me! ;)

Agreed, the bulkhead installation is a big plus, though. Shawn

>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