: As I said, my modifications (to the dimensions) were most
: definitely a factor in the demise. I also know, for a fact, that
: water damage was a contributing factor. I'm not complaining or
: trying to put the blame anywhere, it is simply a lesson learned.
: I cut too many corners trying to build light... no big deal.

: The first piece that broke was plywood, so grain orientation is
: irrelevant there, simply the size I decided to make the station,
: which clearly wasn't deep enough. I suspect some water damage to
: the glue (not a marine grade ply) may have contributed but in
: that case I believe it's primarily the size. To be honest, I
: suspect if that piece hadn't broken the others wouldn't have
: either, based on where the pieces broke while on the car. I'm
: considering making the aft cockpit station (the one that broke)
: a solid "bulkhead" anyway as another experiment.

: The Gun'ls, stringers, and deck beams are all flat sawn white cedar
: (rather than WRC) and cut with clean longitudinal grain. They
: are smaller than Yost recommended. I don't remember the design
: specs but I want to say stringers were about 1/4" smaller
: in one dimension and the keel/gun'ls were about 3/8-1/2 inch
: smaller in one dimension than the design recommended, if I
: remember correctly. Clearly I pushed the limits a bit too much.

: The boat only weighed some 24 pounds or something like that so I
: got exactly what I hoped... a very light, very nice boat with
: minimal build time. I sacrificed the longevity of the boat in
: the process, which I had hoped not to do but it was always
: intended to be a "temporary" boat for me. Next time
: I'll make it a little closer to design specs and I think it will
: work out just fine. Especially with the added effort of sealing
: things.

: Other than cost and a bit of weight, I'd be interested to know what
: you consider drawbacks to sealing the frame.

: FrankP

Depends on what it's sealed with. Some coatings if damaged can let water into the wood that then has no way out, causes rot.

Bill H.