CB case and slot

[Rational Root]

An our here and and hour there (http://davesboat.blogspot.com/2008/05/our-here-and-and-hour-there.html)

http://lh3.ggpht.com/dave.tolan/SDxlQeT5qBI/AAAAAAAAAV0/t1WoCkZ7xcg/s400/IMG_0006.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.com/dave.tolan/BoatAndLense/photo?authkey=pMoEq9fm7VQ#5205146603022297106)
I started by screwing strips of ply around the Centerboard case onto a logn 3/4" board. Then I cut out most of the slot with a jig saw, and tidied up the rest with a router and a bearing guide bit. A little work with a chisel to sort the corners and it's a perfect match. I should be able to use this template to cut the slot in the keel.

Easier than trying to screw separate strips of ply to the keel itself.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/dave.tolan/SDxlL-T5qAI/AAAAAAAAAVs/Mudm73oGHmM/s400/IMG_0003.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.com/dave.tolan/BoatAndLense/photo?authkey=pMoEq9fm7VQ#5205146525712885762)
You can see the start of the CB case here with the template.
Cutting the actual slot in the keel is a big step as this is a 12 foot long board, carefully cut and planed. A mistake there would be painful.

Incidently, I have found that a large nail punch helps so much in avoiding the hammer marks. 8-)

[Canoeyawl]

Can you install the case and then come up from the bottom with a flush trimmer bit (uses the inside of the case for the guide) ? This has worked well for me.

[Rational Root]

In this design, the case slots THROUGH the keel. What you don't see in the picture yet are the two bed logs that I have still to add to the case. They should be nailed through from the inside, but it's easier to assemble things in this order, and with that amount of glue surface, I'm not too concerned about skipping a few bronze nails.


Can you install the case and then come up from the bottom with a flush trimmer bit (uses the inside of the case for the guide) ? This has worked well for me.