"Uh-rayy!" cheer the scurrying, white-jacketed boatbuilding interns, lifting one arm into the air.
(Note to non-boatbuilding readers: sometimes I will talk about boatbuilding. This is one of those times.)
Frame 5 of the Pathfinder is attached to the aft edge of the centerboard well and helps hold it at right angles. In the last month since I installed the centerboard well I have had it braced to the tablesaw to avoid even the slightest chance that it would get knocked out of alignment. This back-scraping arrangement was most vexing, as I had to fold myself in half like a sawdusty imp and scuttle underneath the brace each time I wanted to go to the front end of the boat. This happened approximately seven thousand times each evening.
But no more! With Frame 5 in place and holding the centerboard case rigid (along with plenty of adhesive and heavy bronze screws) I can remove the brace and walk upright again, or as upright as I can given my simian qualities. Have I mentioned that I've included places on the boat for banana storage and a tire swing?
What's even more exciting about this first frame is that, by standing back and squinting, I can start to envisage the shape of the boat without worrying about the frame falling over. It's glued in, baby!
Pictures to come. No, really, you deserve it.
EDIT:
The frames forward of the centerboard well are just propped up for looks!
3 comments:
In profile, that rib looks like a Viking longboat. Can you mount a dragon head on your bow?
I guess a crab head would't have the same effect.
Note the missing frame-half on the port side? The boat actually bends way in at this point, asymmetrically. Sailing straight is a bit of a challenge but coming about -- in that direction, anyway -- is a SNAP.
I think you should have saved yourself a lot of trouble with the glueing and anchoring in place of the frames by incorporating Peter S's technique of the slap and fold. It gets sticky but ultimately adheres but....oh wait a minute...that's bread Sorry!
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