Strongbacks and curved stems

[cs]

Getting closer and closer to finishing stripping my canoe and I may have a potential problem. I'm stripping a 16' Hazen Micmac and I'm using a torpedo style stem. I think that is the correct term. The stem is more rounded and gives a little more style than a veritical stem.

Problem. Look at this first photo and you can see where the sheer is by looking at the first strip. If you notice it is inside the curve. In other words the curve of the stem goes out beyond where the sheer ends. Makes sense?

http://a6.cpimg.com/image/64/13/14952036-71a8-028001E0-.jpg

Now with both ends trapped by the curve of the stem I'm not sure if it will come off of the strongback and forms. As I passed the forms with strips I took out what screws I could holding the forms to the strongback and I hope to be able to take out the stem forms thus allowing me to take the canoe off of the strongback. If this don't work I may have to cut the strong back in two. I don't want to do this cause I would like to use this again.

Suggestions.

http://a6.cpimg.com/image/B4/2F/28340916-e964-01E00168-.jpg

Chad

edited to correct first photo

[ 01-22-2004, 12:41 PM: Message edited by: cs ]

[FG]

As long as you can disconnect your stem forms from the strongback, you are just fine. You may need to take out the form your stem forms are attached to to do it though. Have faith!!

[Paul Scheuer]

Cutting the strongback wouldn't be the end of the world if you fitted a splint with reassembly holes, etc., before you did the cut. Might even be easier to store. I'm curious as to what the plans say. There must be a way to key the form pieces in so that it comes apart.

[Todd Bradshaw]

Strongbacks are easy to cobble back together without any major problems, even if you do a hack job on it when you cut it. I've chopped and revived several of them. When you get to that point in the process, the big issue is to very carefully remove the canoe. With only the outside glassed it's still pretty fragile and you don't want to flex it much and risk fracturing the glass (which is damned difficult to repair). Do whatever it takes to the strongback to get the boat off cleanly. You can always patch it up later. The same may not be the case for the hull.

[abe]

Chad, In the book "Illustrated Guide to Woodstrip Canoe Building" by Susan Van Leuven, the method shown for removing the hull from the strongback for a design like yours is to leave the stem forms attached to the hull, to be removed when the canoe is upright. (I have read the book, so I am an expert) :cool:

Of course you knew this ahead of time when you assembled the forms and screwed the stem forms to the strongback so that access to the fasteners was easy when the hull was to be removed! She uses this method for the Wee Lassie as well.

I had a problem with the transom form on the Rangeley, not because of recurved stems, but because in error I epoxied the transom mounting screws to the form. A chisel took care of it.

Good Luck,

abe

[cs]

Originally posted by abe:


Of course you knew this ahead of time when you assembled the forms and screwed the stem forms to the strongback so that access to the fasteners was easy when the hull was to be removed! Let's hope.

Chad

[whb]

Chad,

Iffen you canna get the forms off the strongback I would do as Paul has suggested.

I would just make up a long u shaped plywood (3/4 inch) splint that would sit on top of the strong back and that you could screw into the strongback from both sides and the top. Lots of screws.

After you get it attached thereby marking its proper location with screw holes take it off and cut the strong back.

good luck

[Paul Scheuer]

I couldn't see the first pic earlier. That's going to be a really classy stem. Got any pics of the profile now that the strips are on.

Don't worry about the strongback/ form removal problem. you're already past the point of good options. It'll make a good story.

I'm assuming that you can get the forms out. ;)

[cs]

The first time I posted that I accidently pasted the link for my book giveway photo as the canoe photo. Had to go back and change it. I will try tonight to get down there and take a photo of the stem area from the side.

Chad