: OK so I admit to it - I have the bug.

: Boat #1 was an SOF F1, #2, a strip Cape Ann Storm, is about
: finished, and I am looking towards #3. I have seen some lovely
: examples of strip kayaks built from SOF designs.

: My question to those who have done these is do you use the wider
: spaced SOF forms or do you interpolate the offsets to create
: more closely spaced forms to get a better hull shape? Is it this
: simple or should I consider loading the offsets into a CAD
: program and let it do the curve smoothing?

: Happy New Year to all and may 2012 be a safe and wild year,

: Bill

On my latest strip boat the forms were 22 inches apart. It is an adapted version of a multi chine SOF Dyson baidarka.

Except at the bow where I spaced the last form closer to accommodate the more radical curves of the baidarka bow.

I was using 3/16th strips.

No problems, and would go even easier with quarter inch strips. You could probably go to 24 inches.

It is important with wide spacing to have perfectly thicknessesd strips (planed to final thickness). if the thickness varies then you run a greater risk of losing fairness.

Also important to put a clamp or two in between stations to keep the planks aligned. See pic.

If you are scarfing or butting planks then keep the joins well staggered.

Caveat, I have built quite a few strip boats so I know where the errors are likely to creep in.

On the other hand your Cape Anne Storm will have given you the experience you need. The very fact that you asked the question shows that you are aware that there are limits.

I think that too many formers can cause as many problems as too few, especially if you are adapting a design from a different process. There is more possibility for error and accumulated error in the setup, and also in the lofting etc.

the foolproof method would be to build the SOf frame as per the plans, then mark off your desired spacings on the frame and measure the forms from it. Then you would have a SOF and a strip boat of the same dimensions. It would be very interesting to be able to then compare them on the water.

Let us know what you do in the end.

Et