Fitting Garboard Plank

[imported_Glenn]

I am a novice builder and I am ready to plank. I am building a Catspaw Dinghy (13 foot Herreshoff daysailer).

I may have a problem though where my stem and keel rabbet lines meet. They align well from a side view but my stem seems to be too narrow where it meets the keel which is apparent while standing facing the bow and looking aft. It seems that the stem increase in width as it slopes up to meet the keel. The keel has a subtle curve to it from forward to aft but it seems a tiny bit too wide where it meets the stem and the stem width being two parallel lines is difficult to fair where it meets up with the keel.

I attempted to cut a plank after spiling against a 1/8" piece of luan as my spiling batten but the sudden change from a curving keel to a straight stem proved to be very problematic.

I have been simply looking at the problem for a few days in lieu of simply having a panic attack.

Any feedback or ideas would be very appreciated.

[R.I.Singer30]

Hi I'm less than a novice , I wouldn't know a garboard from a cutting board.But a question just came up a few days ago.This is the short cut

http://media5.hypernet.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=006834

or you can go to the second page and scroll down to plank replacement.this specific problem may be addressed there. there are also some referances to back issue B.W. and some books.the search in the home page may help .Happy Hunting. Dan L.

[Ken Hutchins]

Glen, I should take a run to Portsmouth in the next few days, perhaps I could stop in, take a look and offer my 2 cents worth.. Send me an email with timing preferences and directions. I am available most anytime.

[Mrleft8]

WEll by jeeziz I just went through this with my Catspaw back in late February.... (first boat since I was 7....) And, yes it does seem that the keel/stem relationship is WAY off at first look. BUT..... It's actually just a scooge off. After you cut the bevel in the keel... and then continue the rabbet in the stem... it all actually does come real close to meeting up. You DO need to fair down the keel to meet the stem in the long run, but it's just an 8th or so of an inch on each side... After you fair down the keel edges so they cruise in nicy nice with the bevels you cut on the stem piece, it doesn't look so scary either. I'm on plank #12 now... 8 more to go before I pull her off the moulds. So if you have any questions that I can answer wrong for you, I'd be glad to help. (the "how to build a catspaw dinghy" book is garbage....)

[Walcheren]

I am not sure, from your description, what the problem is. This photo, if it works, shows the rabbit from the side. Whatever use that is to you. It sounds to me that you will have to wittle some out of the rabbit, some from the garboard untill there is a "sweet"(famous last words) fit. You are lucky someone is able to make a housecall. These things need to be seen. Good luck. Let us know how it goes. She is a lovely boat. http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid51/p63c467ea527ec17f1801095184cc9c0f/fca32ccc.jpg Dirk.

[Mrleft8]

Are you DONE already Walcheren?

[Walcheren]

Yes, I built the Catspaw several years ago. So yes, she is done. (see in "My Boat" section under Catspaw.) My Poulsbo is also done, see Delivery Pics, and now sits outside in the rain getting water from above instead of from below. Today finally some sunshine so next week we'll have her launched I hope and do the "sea trials". P.S. I was visiting a distant relative last week., He had an immaculate workshop. Too clean and I told him so. Lots of machiens, no saw dust!

[ 04-09-2003, 04:20 PM: Message edited by: Walcheren ]