: It'll work fine as long as each piece is structurally sound by
: itself. I'd limit the number of joints to the minimum possible.
: Unlike a strip or fiberglass multiple piece boat it's somewhat
: more difficult to get the transoms (which is effectively what
: the bulkheads are) structurally strong in a SOF so extra care
: will have to be used to do this.

: Problem is you really need to at least assemble the frame all in
: one piece, installing the bulkheads/transoms after the boat is
: built then cutting it into pieces to cover later. You'll likely
: need to do this initial assembly outside.

: I'd build a scale model first though to test the method you plan to
: use for the joints, lots cheaper to make a mistake on a model.

Bill, you've hit the main design points. The joints are key.

From a construction viewpoint, I'd build the frame in one piece with the sections meeting at double bulkheads, then go fetch a saw. When the longitudinal frame members are cut the strength and stiffness they originally possessed must pass through the bulkheads. The butt joints between them and the bulkheads must be stronger than the original members, also the bulkheads have to rigid enough to prevent any flexing between the sections. A geodesic pattern of struts (triangles, triangles) at the bulkheads adds rigidity for the least weight penalty.

Terry Haines