: Hello,

: I have run into my first problem building my first Kayak (a
: Guillemot Double).

: I created a new internal stem for the stern, and when I installed a
: test strip, I noticed a significant gap between the strip and
: internal stem. I am not sure what to do to fix it. Take a look
: at the pictures below. Each has a comment. The last picture has
: the questions.

: Thanks in advance.

: Mike

I haven't built a stripper yet, but your problem seems to have started when you bevelled the stem. The bevel angle will change for each strip so a rolling bevel is called for, and there's no reason why the bevel should be the entire width of the stem unless it was designed that way.

The rolling bevel can be determined by scaling up the plan and profile views of the lines drawing at the stems to full size: draw lines on the sides of the stem blank to show the strip edges, then mark off the width of the bevel at each line towards the stem centerline, using measurements from the plan. it's simpler than it sounds. With this method the thickness of the external stem will vary so it must be cut to fit. Another method is to fit the stem square and use a flexible batten to guide the cutting of the bevel.

If you decide to use an unbevelled stem and bevel the strips then make it the same thickness as the external stem. This will be more time consuming as each strip must be dry-fitted. Because the strips meet the stem at a fine angle, the strip's bevel may extend beyond the stem's inner edge; a thinner, wider stem may work best in this case. With this method the thickness of the external stem is constant.

Terry
To mark the bevel width, use a small block the same thickness as the strip, slide it into the angle between the strip and stem and mark the stem. A pencil likely won't fit rub some lead on the block's edge to leave a mark. Also mark the strip along the edge of the stem. Note that these lines should be parallel.