Steve,

I built the Panache as my first boat and had the same question. Rob Macks' reason for the mini-deck was that it made the tips of the deck easier to attach. It allows you to reach all the way into the stems to tape the interior seams.

However, I skipped the mini-decks and attached the full deck intact. I just didn't want to have a seam. It worked out fine, but if I were doing it again, I'd probably construct a short sheerclamp and install it on the hull roughly the length of a mini-deck. It was pretty difficult getting way into the stems from the hatch openings, and a short sheerclamp into the stems would have solved the problem.

Ross

: HI ALL,

: JUST PICKED UP PLANS FOR THE PANACHE AND WAS WONDERING ABOUT THE REASON FOR
: THE MINI DECKS. IS IT FOR COSMETIC REASONS OR IS THERE A STRUCTURAL REASON
: FOR THESE DECKS?

: ANY THOUGHTS WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

: STEVE