Category: Deck

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Compound Bevels for Deck Beam Glue Blocks

Glue blocks for the deck beams require compound bevels for a good fit.

Wow!  That title is a mouthful isn’t it?  It occurred to me when I was making glue blocks for some of the deck beams that this is a perfect opportunity to talk about how the proper use of a few tools makes cutting and fitting bevels easier than it looks.  I used to think that the way pros got such tight fitting joints (when they weren’t standard angles, like 90°) was by simple trial and error.  While that method works, and you still need to employ it from time to time, a tool called a bevel gauge makes the process so much simpler. Continue reading “Compound Bevels for Deck Beam Glue Blocks”

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Deck Beams for the PB22

Using 3/16″ plywood to pattern the deck beams

It’s time to start working on the deck.  And the first step is to make the deck beams.  You might think the shape of the deck beams is a simple curve that’s given to you in the plans, and you’d be right–kind of.  You’re given the curve of the deck in the profile view in the lines drawing, and from that you can derive the deck beams curves using your lofting.  You might be surprised to find out that the deck beams aren’t all the same radius curve (“camber”).  Most of them are very close.  But they tend to be a little different forward and aft.  Boats just seem to look better when the deck camber (curve of the deck) is a little steeper forward. Continue reading “Deck Beams for the PB22”

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Developing the Sheer Line

A sweet and fair line is what you’re after when developing the sheer line.

One of the most critical steps in building a boat is to develop a fair sheer line and trim the hull to that line.  The sheer line is the line where the hull joins the deck.  It’s probably the most scrutinized line on the boat.  It’s what everyone notices. Continue reading “Developing the Sheer Line”