: Thanks Jeff, on your "rub strips" do you also use screws
: or nails to attach them? On the PBK the plans note using screws
: from the inside, except for the ends of the strips which it
: notes to screw from the outside, probably because it's too hard
: to reach. Since the PBK plans were written pre-epoxy there are a
: several construction details that could be done differently.

: -Don

Screw through the thinnest piece and fasten it to the thickest piece. That probably means going from the outside, and screwing into the interior keelson. Predrill and countersink the holes in your exterior keel strip. Put a bead of sealant down the center of your strip, and draw circles of sealant around each hole before you apply the strip. This way the tightening action of the screws will spread the sealant and it will form a gasket around the holes and reduce leakage.

When you cut your strips for the external keels and rub strips, cut an extra set, or two, and store them away. Then when you reskin the boat 3 or 5 years from now you will already have strips to use. The sealant will glue them to the skin, so when you remove the skin it may be a hassle to clean off the remains of the skin to reuse the original strips. Precut spares are the way to go.

Do not use plain steel screws! You can go for stainless steel or bronze. Most hardware stores have Clark-craft has bronze screws at a reasonable price, and you got your plans from them, so I assume you still have the address :) Avoid the temptation to use brass. Sure they won't corrode, but they are soft and break easily. The only way to use them is to first drive a steel screw, back it out, then insert the brass screw in the same hole. It is a pain.

Just got a book by Percy Blandford from the library. It was his 106th. Published in 2005, when he was in his 90s and (according to the introduction) still going strong. Anyone know if he is still around?

PGJ