: Hi everyone,
: I'm new to this forum, but starting on my 3rd boat. The first 2 are
: Shearwater hybrids, now I am working on one of Nick's designs,
: the Great Auk 14. I bought the kit from CLC and have started
: laying things out. I have the box beam assembled. Unfortunately
: it's not completely straight. It's off by about 1/4". I've
: heard various opinions on the CLC forum as to how to deal with
: this (wedges, hog out the forms, pull it straight with the sheer
: strips, etc). Any comments here?
: I've been watching Nick's vids and am considering using his spacer
: and wedge method of laying out the forms. I'm not real thrilled
: with the particle board forms supplied. They look real brittle.
: Hopefully I can avoid screwing thru them. I'm looking for any
: tips on the best way to do this. I've also heard that this
: method will straighten the box beam if the spacers are cut
: perfectly square.
: Thanks,
: Dan

If your strongback isn't straight, read through Nick's book about cutting the holes in the forms over sized.
Thread all of the forms on the beam, set up a line between them to give you a true centre line.
Average out the bend in your beam on either side of the line and then align the forms.
You will need the DWL and sheer lines marked on the forms to sight and level along both sides.
Clamp up in position and then screw into place with at least two screws per form.
Some diagonals drawn at an appropriate height (2" above DWL on the centre line worked well on the Guillemot).
I don't think the angle is that critical so long as it is identical on each form.
Somewhere between 30 @ 60 degrees when lined up, will give an exelent guide to show the form is truly verticle.
Hope this helps. Can't comment on the material of your forms. Les C.