Gunwales On

This afternoon we fastened the gunwales which has stiffened up the entire structure nicely. As soon as the gunwale ends are beveled and fastened to the stem and stern posts the structure will lock right up.

To attach the gunwales we turned the assembly upright and then placed the whole structure onto a straight and level 16 foot long nominal 2'' by 6'' plank (actual dimensions 1½'' by 5½''). Using a taught string for guidance, the keel was straightened ( a 1'' by 2'' (actual 3/4'' by 1½") is still quite flexible) and nailed onto the plank using a nail gun and about 5 finishing nails 1½'' long, 18 guage (pretty thin) at even intervals. This was much faster and more secure than clamps. We will simply pull the finishing nails through the keel wood when we want to remove it.


Using a carpenter (framing) square and string we then trued and guyed frame 10 (pictured here) so that it would stay perpendicular to the keel thus creating a firm and fixed plane of reference for the remaining frames forward and aft. we fastened the frames to the gunwales at exact equal distances at both sides again checking that the frames were square with the keel using a framing square.

Once on a role things moved quickly, gluing, countersinking, drilling and screwing all the joints.