Can a funky sheer be fixed?

[AndrewT]

So I got the sheer plank installed last night on one side of my Macomber 15 hull. It's hard to tell, since the hull is upside down and only one side is fully planked, but on comparing mine to the original shown in the designer's photos, it appears that I have a funky hump in my sheer. (That sounds like a new Ke$ha song: "Funky Hump in My Sheer".)

I'm not going to panic yet, since it might look completely different when flipped right-side-up, but just in the interest of conversation, if it IS funky, how do I fix it? Just plane/spokeshave it down until it seems fair, then level across and repeat on the other side?

[Peerie Maa]

I would check it out with a lining off batten either clamped on whilst you shave off any humps, or just to mark a line. Do not go at it freehand as you will be too close to see when to stop. Also whilst she is upside down, and preferably when you are alone. Stand with your back to her, then bend down and look at her between your legs. You will be better able to judge the shape that way.

[James McMullen]

Yes, a sheer line can be fixed. For example, I had a bit of powderhorn in Rowan's sheer aft that I couldn't see until she was right-side up. Just fix it in post-production with a batten and a block plane like Peerie says.

[AndrewT]

Also whilst she is upside down, and preferably when you are alone. Stand with your back to her, then bend down and look at her between your legs. You will be better able to judge the shape that way.

Are you just messing with me here, or what?

I'm kidding. I went back and looked at the photos I took last night, and it's only from one angle that the sheer looks odd. From all the other angles, it looks fine. Point being, I see where you're coming from about getting a unique perspective.

I'm just glad to hear it's fixable.

[Jay Greer]

Getting sheer to look fair from all angles is the mark of a master. It takes time to develope instinct for that. Trust the batten.
Jay

[davebrown]

I have done exactly what Peerie Mae is suggesting. I also took digital camera photos and turned them upside down, but a cheapish point and shoot helped only a bit.

[Gerarddm]

It's only when you get her turned right side up that you'll be able to see. Then the battens tell all.

We had a loopy sheer on one side of a Toulinguet boat we were building at boat school, and it got fixed fine. Don't agonize over it.

[Peerie Maa]

I have done exactly what Peerie Mae is suggesting. I also took digital camera photos and turned them upside down, but a cheapish point and shoot helped only a bit.

If you had swallowed your pride and turned your head upside down you could have moved your eyes around much easier than relying on a lucky snap shot. Quicker too.
Gerarddm is right though, it is not a problem and easy to fix.

[Jim Ledger]

Humps are easier to fix than hollows.

Just sayin'.

[AndrewT]

This definitely looks like a hump as opposed to hollow.

[Peerie Maa]

Humps are easier to fix than hollows.

Just sayin'.

A hollow just two humps with a bit of distance between them.
So you are right, one hump is half of the work than fixing a hollow.