: Just received my Petrel kit and already stuck on building the
: strongback. I have diagrams with no measurements except one and
: I can't find a specific example in the book. I believe it's
: supposed to be a total of 12' long per the one-sheet diagram
: provided.

: Here is what I have (wood parts) for building an internal box beam
: (advanced apologies for dumb questions):

: 4 x 8' side sections

: 2 x 4' side sections

: 3 x 8' butt joints

: 2 x 6' butt joints

: 2 x 2' butt joints

: So this looks like a total of 40' in length each for sides and butt
: joints. Divided by 4 (sides to a box), that means a total of 10'
: length for the box beam. This disagrees with the only length
: measurement I have for the box beam. I've checked the kit
: contents and it doesn't look like anything is missing. So I am
: confused. Plus ....

: Questions:

: 1. I know I am supposed to stagger the pieces for strength. Am I
: supposed to cut the sections and if so which ones to what
: length?

: 2. What the &*^%! are butt joints and where do they go? From the
: book, it looks like butt joints are for external strongbacks and
: not internal.

: I either have too many pieces or not enough. Any and all help would
: be much appreciated.

: Thanks,

: Jen

Hello Jen
I built my strongback from scratch so I don't
Know what parts come in the kit but mine
Was exactly 10 feet long with a 4' bow form
And a 3' stern form making 17' total. If you
Look in his book, Nick uses "L" shaped spacers
Between his forms. The extra pieces (but joints)
You have may be for making these. Hope that
helps.
Rick