: Charles, I thank you. The photos, as one once said, are worth a thousand
: words. I noticed you have a pair of strongbacks ... are these for the deck
: and hull? or two different models.
: I also neglected to mention that the 'bible' I referred to is the same:
: Nick's. And as I don't have a "boss" to help me, I guess I'll
: forgo the pleasures of lofting and purchase the complete set of plans.
: Thanks again, and Awaaaaaaay we go!
: Bill

Hey Bill,

I certainly don't think you went wrong, by any stretch of the imagination, in ordering plans from Nick. The set of plans that I recieved from him for the "L" were "simply" professional and the lofting process IS time consuming.

The second set of forms on the other strongback were set up just as a matter of convienence. I built the boat on one set and then set the deck off onto the second set so that I could glass both halves on the outside at the same time --after I completed as much of the work around the cockpit area as possible. This also allows me to keep both halves on the forms without having to keep moving one half or the other back and forth to the single set of forms.

I planed and sanded the deck and hull, then I carefully set the deck off onto the second set of forms. I then cut out and stripped the recess and the coaming.(This will allowed me to glass the deck, the recess and the coaming all with the same layer of glass)Then I precut all the layers of glass for the deck and hull and rolled up each layer and labeled them. Now the fun part!!

I started with a seal coat (still working on the outside of both halves) on both pieces, then within 24 hrs I layed the glass on and wet it out - 24 hrs later with a fillcoat - 24hrs later with another fill coat. You get the picture - I should have a good chemical bond through-out.

So you see, having the second set of forms allows you to glass both pieces during the same glassing period and cuts down on the time factor a little. It's also easier on YOU since you only have to clean the epoxy off your arms and out of your hair and eyebrows half as much. You see -- yak building is so much fun -- well I kinda relate it to things like eatin' barbecue or maybe eatin' sardines in mustard sauce wid Jerry Clowers and Marcel. Oh man!! If we could top that off with some of Rehd's home-made cookies and Chips home-brew!!!

Ok. I'm back. The only thing I might change concerning the glassing process is that I might NOT wet out three layers of 6 oz glass on the hull at once on the next one. I had never glassed anything or seen anything glassed "EVER" till I glassed the hull of the Guillemot, and even though it worked out fine, I'll never forget how I sweated blood for a couple of hours till it was finished. I think I may just do one layer each 24 hours this time. But, who knows -- my memory is getting shorter and shorter.

Anyway Bill, To make a long story short, If you don't want to become addicted to this sort of thing, Take a "chill Pill' now and never return to this board!! After all, you see how I'm actin' tonight - gettin so carried away -n- all. O-course I'm goin' to blame it all on the "Rum-N-Coke" syndrone that the DOCTOR said I got!

On the other hand, enjoy the building process, enjoy the kindred spirits of everyone on the board, and more than anything else, enjoy the fruits of your labors as you take the raw materials and mold them into a work of art. And that, MY FRIEND, is something that will be enjoyed by someone for years and years to come! Welcome to the Board.

Happy Building.

Charles.
P.S. Don't get addicted to the BOARD (like me) or you won't get any building done!!!!!!