heidi: transom placement vagueness.

[bob goeckel]

the book on heidi by richard kolin seems vague on the proper set height for the transon on the mould. i know it can be approximated from the skeg figures. any ideas? thanks

[Syd MacDonald]

That bugged me too. I can't remember how I decided. I think when the skeg is installed it will be level on the bottom(straight ) edge. It seems odd that such a basic measurment would be left to guess work.

[TomRobb]

As a paying customer, you could call Richard Kolin in Marysville WA at 360 659 5591, or write to 4107 77th Place in Marysville, and ask him. Be sure to do your homework. My impression is that he doesn't suffer fools gladly. Not that you're a fool - this isn't Misc after all but I've seen him get a bit abrupt with someone who didn't do their homework.
Ain't the internet wonderful?

[ 12-06-2002, 08:12 AM: Message edited by: TomRobb ]

[bob goeckel]

i agree tom, and i will go back and look again. you seem to be hinting that it's there. i know it can be estimated from the level skeg. but a book for basic builders should have this more plainly shown. the transom dimensions are also a bit confusing for a beginner. other than that it's well written. the other thing i need to look at more is the idea of marking out the 1st plank prior to installing the chine logs. i thought that was backward.

[Carl Simmons]

Just shooting in the dark but isn't the LWL indicating on the transom and thus it could set compared to the Lofting base?

Carl.

[TomRobb]

Doc, I've not read the book or seen the plans and can't comment on their accuracy or completeness. All I know is that having watcheded Rich's distainful answer to a simple question that might (or might not) have been obvious if the questioner had done the homework, I'd ask him as a last resort, but definitely ask if the information just isn't there.

[bob goeckel]

carl, you're probably right. i'll have to look again tonite. there is no traditional lofting in the book. as to questions: we're all trying to lift someone else along to understanding or getting a lift ourselves. disdain should never be a part of our replys.

[Mr. Know It All]

Hey Doc......Do you still have a Lyman boat? Good to see you. Best of luck on your current project.
Kevin in Ohio

[bob goeckel]

hi kevin, no but i'd like to acquire another about 16.5' but i gotta part with my wayfarer first. i'm trying.

well i think i figured out how to get a fairly close guesstimate on the transom placement on the jig. still it would have been nice to have a more precise figure in the book. it's a minor failing and not that important. still i wonder if i'm missing something in the reading, like a little secret the pro's know that isn't apparent to us mortals.

[TomRobb]

Doc,
I found the Heidi building book. Read pgs 23 & 24. As I read it, (after two or three re-readings ) he has you screwing the temporary backbone to both the stem piece and the transom before you attach any of the three to the molds or the ladder. Then you line them up on your molds' centerline marks, level the transom and plumb the stem, perhaps checking that battens in the chine notches are fair to the transom corners, and then, and only then temporarily drywall screw the whole affair to the molds and ladder.
Does that make sense?
I'm guessing that Rich thought it'd be easier for amateurs to get the whole affair fair and squared away. Maybe.
If the transom were to be set too high or too low on the form, the angle between the transom and the form would show light. The temp backbone acts as a fairing batten, I guess.
What'd ya think?

[ 12-07-2002, 04:31 PM: Message edited by: TomRobb ]

[TomRobb]

Also, if I've given the impression that Kolin isn't a good teacher, I didn't mean to. He's like those teachers you dreaded in school who were tough and demanding. You know, the ones you remember because they pushed you to learn something and got you to reach higher than you thought you could. Just remember to do the homework

[ 12-07-2002, 04:38 PM: Message edited by: TomRobb ]

[bob goeckel]

the last time i reached too high i pull a groin muscle! LOL

i was figr'n the same on the transom height. but still the temporary batten could be bent toward the floor too much. it's just a vague way to write about this area. it also still seems to me that installing the chine logs first would give you a more exact marking for the garboard edge and a better way to clamp it down.

[TomRobb]

I'm supposing that if the temp. backbone is fair and the transom is parallel to and flat on it's braces with no gaps, it'll be where it's supposed to be.
If the location were spec'd on the plan and it were to be placed inaccurately (how likely is that ) then you'd still be fudging everything around to get it fair.
Pick yer poison, I guess.

[landlocked sailor]

I built "Heidi" back before we all had email. I contacted Rich by phone and he was glad to orrer help. I am now building his "Catherine" and used email for some questions. His replies were timely, couteous & complete. You can reach him at kolin1@gte.net . Rick

[bob goeckel]

hey thanks for all the tips. so far so good.