Plywood side attachment (22' Sharpie )

[philcostello]

Hi fellow boat builders, Phil here, building the 1940 design Sharpie.

The 1940 directions refer to joining the sides with boat felt and glue. My question is this, I am using west system epoxy and am wondering if I still need to the felt? if so does the felt wortk well with the epoxy. My second question is what is a typial screw spacing? every 6 inches?

I am using 1/2 Okume

I will post some updated pics soon

Thanks

Phil

[DGentry]

No need for "boat felt," whatever that is. Can't help you with the screw spacing, in part because I'm no expert and also don't have enough information. I can say that many ply/epoxy hulls don't even need, or use, supplemental fasteners, as thickened epoxy can make a pretty darn good glue.

Since you are building an older design with modern materials, I heartily suggest Reuel Parker's book:
http://parker-marine.com/livro2.jpg

He details exactly how to build sharpies of all sizes using both modern and traditional methods. You could save yourself a lot of guesswork with this book beside you!

Looking forward to your pics!

Good luck!
Dave Gentry

[James McMullen]

Dave is 100% correct. The "boat felt" referred to in the 1940's plans was a tar-soaked fiber used for bedding and waterproofing the joint that was otherwise really attached mostly with mechanical screw fasteners. Modern epoxy glue can completely eliminate the need for either the felt or the screws, though you may find it useful to use a few screws to hold the thing together until the epoxy cures.

Parker's book is a good reference, indeed.

[JimD]

Since the boat has frames, my choice would be to both glue and screw. Spacing for the screws would be a guess. A book like Glen Witt's Boatbuilding with Plywood would likely have guidlines for epoxy and screw plywood construction. I've built two small boats that way. Every six inches would be very strong, maybe a little overboard.

[philcostello]

Thanks for the help,

I will see if I can pick up the books

Thanks you all.

Phil