: I decided to go with the skin deck on my Guillemot S&G. So far, it's a ton
: easier than I thought. I made the ribs from plywood and I'm going to use
: 5/8th dowel rod for the stringer. Attaching the ribs to the hull was
: simple enough. Thickened epoxy and a little glass. I have a few questions
: about the stringers and skin.
: Wich would be better; Setting a thin dowel thru the stringer and frame and
: epoxy the joint. Or tie each joint and be done with it? If I tie them,
: what's the best string to use?

Hi David

Are you going to make this your permanent deck? If it's permanent you could dowel and glue or dowel and tie, either way. Since the boat is a rigid hull, you don't have to worry about a flexible deck. If you choose to tie them off you can go to your local fishing tackle store as I have done and ask for some Polyester braided line in the 100 lb test to 150 lb test area. It is only around 1/32" in diameter and will land a whale, so to speak, so you won't have any problem with it wearing out. I found it at $.07 a yard and you would probably not use more than 30 - 50 yards or so for just a deck and hatches/cockpit. If you have the epoxy, then just dowel and glue and save the time and money on line and wrapping. Remember to run the stringers on top of the frames so the skin lines run fore and aft.

I don't know if the T-50 stapler I have comes with a 3/16th" staple option and anything from 1/4" and longer will go through the 4mm ply. Check the stapler you are using and see what the options are with it. If I were to attempt this with 1/4" staples ( stainless ) I would go in and glue some 3/16" strips inside the hull as a sheer. You could staple through and into this and it would also help to stiffen the hull sides since you won't have a solid deck to help in that area. Also, you would want to round the very outer edge of the hull sides so as not to cut or abrade the skin along that edge. After you have stapled the skin on you can also screw on your outer gunnal strip with short screws, into the side and inner strips, to make it removable and to hide the staples and edge of the skin.

: The second issue is, How to attach the skin to the hull. Someone on this
: board mentioned stapling it on. Can I do this without a shear clamp? 4mm
: doesn't seem like a lot to staple into. I thought about drilling holes and
: sewing it on but, then I'd have to sew a seam in the middle to and, that's
: a lot of sewing.
: Also, what's a good source for the fabric and chemicals to shrink it up?

Again, if it's a temporary deck, you can go with 10 oz. canvas at www.pearlpaints.com and latex paint after sealing with an elasomeric sealer ( roof sealer ). Or, if it's a bit more permanent there are sources for dacron, polyester and other nylon cloths and some Poly-.. sealers and sources that others may have at hand to offer you. I don't have any available at this time.

: The last one (so far) is about hatches. Is there an easy way to put one in or
: is it just too much work?
: Thanks again.

That depends again..... well, you know that by now. If it's temp. then I wouldn't bother as you can go under deck much easier. If you don't mind the work, you can sew some wooden hatches in and make covers for them as in a cockpit on a skin on frame. If you have access to Robert Morris' book, he shows some good detail on cockpits and I'm sure it can easily be adapted to hatches as well. More work.... oh yeh, but how do you view 'work'??? I would find it rather entertaining and a time well spent. But.....???

Hope this helps! Others will have sources for you on the coverings and some more advice and ideas on your deck issue.

Rehd