: Hi Charles-
: Thanks for the suggestions. How many forms were affected at each end? one 2x4
: was enough on each side at each end? about how far off the forms were the
: strips before you fixed it? and lastly, what kind of glue are you using?
: I'm using Elmer's Interior; am I correct in supposing that the glue will
: be loosened and will then reset itself?
: Wes

Hey Wes,

There were two forms at each end where the strips had pulled away . . the 1' & 2' forms and the 16' & 17' forms. The strips had pulled away as much as 1/4" in the center of the effected area. I am using yellow Elmers Carpenters Wood Glue and the glue had been setting for about a day and a half when I went to work on it.

As far as the 2x4's are concerned, it will be easier to use a couple of 6" lengths at each form instead of using a longer piece to reach across all the forms on one side due to the curvature of the strips.

I wet the strips inside and out with a spray bottle and kept it fairly wet for about an hour. Then I started pushing back and forth on the strips till I could see a little movement in the joints. I placed a piece of 2x4 on each side of the keel, centering the edge of the 2x4 in the area that had pulled away, right over the form. I went around the 2x4,s and the form with a ratchet strap and watched the strips as I cinched down with the ratchet. (it helps to have another pair of hands to hold the 2x4's while you tighten the strap) They pulled right back up to where they should be.

After I pulled the strips down tight, I covered the end of the boat with a piece of plastic and positioned my heat gun on a little creeper stool underneath the end of the boat and heated the wood till it was fairly hot. Left it there for a couple of days and then took the straps off. I just checked and the strips are still up against the forms where they should be.

I originally used the heat gun to bend the strips but I should have bent them a little extra to allow for a little "spring-back".

I got the idea from a post just a few days prior to finding my problem. If I can find it I'll point it out. I've taken some pics of the "clamps" in place but I don't have them developed yet.

Hope this helps. Happy Building.

Charles.