I've heard a lot of pro-strongback vs. pro-boxbeam arguments in my time, but I thought they mostly amounted to a bunch of hoopla, phooey, hype....call it what you will.

This is the first time I've heard really good reasons for an external strongback.

The argument for an internal strongback in light of being able to rotate the entire boat is a good one.

It's good to learn that there are greater benefits to no duct tape/uncoated forms with hull designs with lots of concavities. makes a lot of sense.

Happy building,
Shawn

: The only time you'd have problems with stations shifting using an external
: strongback would be with the use of duct tape on station edges, since
: nothing will stick to duct tape.

: To have an accurate boat shape, I feel it is critical for the strips to
: remain in contact with the stations at all times.

: I don't use duct tape on my stations. All my kayaks have fine stem lines
: creating hollow recurve sections below the waterline. Duct tape will not
: allow the strips to form hollow sections without staples or brads being
: used.

: I use staples below the waterline on my boats. I don't coat my stations here
: either since I want the hull to remain in contact with the stations after
: the staples are removed. I don't want wood movement to pull the strips
: away from the forms distorting the hull shape before it is glassed.

: If a long period of time transpires between the point where you finish
: stripping and remove staples and when you glass, the potential for changes
: in moisture content of your wood is great. This could cause your hull to
: deform if it pulls off duct tape.

: Since I'm building professionally I won't take the risk of having a hull
: deform.

: Since I don't coat my station edges with anything, enough glue seeps between
: the strips to fix the strips to the stations so station shifting once the
: strongback is removed is not an issue.

: The fear of having the stations stuck in the boat is overblown.

: My boat designs are very different from Nick's. I know he uses duct tape on
: his boats. I do not recommend using it on mine.

: On another issue, the sections of the bow are quite small on the North Star
: making it difficult to attach an internal strongback.

: I'd suggest following my plans. I think you will find it much easier if you
: do.

: All the best,

: Rob Macks
: Laughing Loon CC&K
: www.LaughingLoon.com