I extended my wide body about 3ft or so - yet to measure properly yet, and made no changes to shelf heights etc as the measurements to be changed were so small. To set the sheer was not to easy for me because I did not have the room to stand back and visualize, but stayed within the confines of the plans, though I did add a little to the bow. I had also decided to add 3" to the whole of the deck height as well. This was done after having several boats that were, I felt a little low to be comfortable for me so I went off and measured a few commercially built boats, hence the 3". I played around with the deck sheer only a little, and was easy to do.
I had all former's bolted to the floor, leveled and set as per the book. In hind site, another 6" higher would have been better for me as I did a huge amount of work under the hull, including putting on the deck. This enabled me to work out the deck width by measuring out from the sole height 3" and dropping a plumb bob. The 3" is the normal amount given for a comfortable toe step. From memory it worked out about 13". I was then able to glass the underside.
Else ware, a long time ago, I posted how I did the sides by myself, and will again try to remember.
At the bow, there is a point on the sides called I think the transition point, though not mentioned in the book, but is a natural phenomena where it is an unnatural bend. Renn fixes this with the axe on the stem. I fixed it like this
When laying on the front side panel ( scarf two sheets together only,(I also made a pattern), both ends are supported against the sheer siting on blocks, I scribed along the chine, and cut with plenty of spare.
This where it gets a little tricky. Measure back from the stem on both sides about 2ft. This will be your transition point. Measure in the thickness of the ply you are using for the sides, and From that point measure back further, another 3 ft and mark. Take a flexible timber and mark from the inside point of the front mark in a gentle curve to the back mark so you have a curved wedge. cut this out. now lay your side panel in position, and mark the transition point on it. climb inside the boat and mark the side panel from the transition point forward on the underside of the chine flat. That forward section of the side panel is then cut out and fitted so it goes underneath the chine flat, aft of that point it lays against the side. be careful cutting that piece out, cutting well above the mark so you can trim it up for a good fit. A couple of blocks of wood with cellotape on them are screwed on the outside fitting against the chine flat, to hold the panel fair. screw also to the bow stem! If there is a big gap don't worry thickened glue is a wonderful gap filler.
By doing it this way, the stem is whole, and with the side panels on, the stem has a naturally fared line, fitting in properly with the chine flats. It is also the proper way to do it. Indecently, I put on both sides of my boat, by myself in one day. I used blocks clamped to the underside with a spacer on the sheer, supported to the ground so the sheer didn't sag, and spaced where the ply sheets finished for them to sit on. the offset (gap) where two ply's came together was marked, trimmed and then scarfed at both ends but on opposite sides, laid in place and the next sheet done the same. Even in gluing up, the sheets rested on the blocks (which were supported to the ground) and pulled away a little. The scarf joint was supported by screwing through timber flats. A screw was put in each of the top corners and pulled out one at a time to allow me to put glue in along the chine flat. I climbed inside the boat and popped the side out a little to put the glue along the sheer, and scarf. Of all the parts of the project, that was the most satisfying part. There was no heavy lifting, and did not need the services of any one to help. There was also no worries about trying to handle a large panel! Later on when cured, I glassed the inside join and panels. Its kinda nice under there, and I spent a bit of time pondering with the cat on my lap!
Its about 2.30am and I'm getting paid for this. Its also near the end of my shift and later today I have a yachting regatta to attend. Going straight there and sleeping in a tent till some bugger wakes me.
I hope the water wasn't to muddy in my explanation, but I am just a little tired (read shagged) I don't mind if anyone has any thoughts about this of coarse, that's what this forum is all about. Chin Chin
les
