Moving On

This part of the bottom is complete bar fibreglass and paint. Now started on ply layer two on the port side.
Plan to also start fitting the first topside sheets starting at the starboard bow tomorrow.

Port Bottom

The last 9mm ply is added to Spindrift's port Bottom. Starboard bottom next for the second layer.
Some faring is also underway.

Scarfing 9mm Meranti Ply

Here is how I scarf plywood for our new Spindrift. There are 8 sheets of 9mm Meranti ply stacked here. Previously I scarfed 15 sheets at once in the same manner.
Click the link to see a time-laps video.
https://youtu.be/MMySa37rwbM

Bow Lamination finished - On with the next

Started to fit the second 9mm ply layer to the bottom. Need more scarfed ply so in the process of scarfing 15 sheets at once.
I have found that there are two limiting things as to the number of sheets of ply that can be scarfed at the one time. They are: How far does one want to walk with the electric planer and is the shed long enough. I joke. The 15 sheets is easy though. There is still sanding to do to finish the scarfs.
The stem is still to be fitted. That comes last.

 

Port Bow Laminations

Two layers of 9mm Meranti ply laminated on the port bow. Now for the starboard side.
I am getting better at spiling and laminating. Job improved as I progressed.



 

First Ply Layer to the Lower Chine

The first ply layer to the lower chine is glued down. Now to stat again with the forward lamination then ply sheets to complete the second bottom ply skin. This should be a little quicker as there will be no clean up time used along frames and stringers.
The air stapler is good for the diagonal  lamination but does not have enough pull for some of the full ply sheets. Easier as I move aft.
Pretty sure I will do 100mm vertical lamination instead of diagonal for the second bow layer. Open to comment on that. It will certainly be faster as the ply lies with less curve if at all.

Second and Third Port Sheets of Ply

Big day today. Two sheets glued. Just a small bit to go then onto the starboard side. Here is a time lapse video of the afternoons work. Had to cut most as it did go on a bit. The mornings work in Spindrift was gluing the second ply sheet to the port bottom. The afternoons work was adding the third ply sheet. It shows wetting out, applying the mixed glue, lifting the sheet into place with tackles and screwing / clamping down. Used a Spanish windlass on the vertical beam clamps. Just one more short bit at the stern then on with the starboard bottom.
https://youtu.be/rwdgF3i7CN4

First Sheet Glued

Next sheet goes on tomorrow.
Had to use screws to pull this toughie in. Lots of twist. From here on it will be easier, except for its mate on the starboard side.

Fitting the ply to the first chine.

Fitting the ply to the first chine. Except for the first sheet the ply is located using treenails (Trunnels). The sheet adjacent  to the diagonals has a lit of twist. Brute force and Spanish windlasses pull it into place.
The travelling tackles work well for carrying thes large sheets. I am able on my own to lower them directly over the trunnels before touching the frames. This will be necessary so that I don't scrape the glue off when manoeuvring the sheets. All sheets are off now to trim to size / shape then the gluing starts.

The tackles at work lowering the ply onto trunnels

The tackles at work lowering the aft sheet

Spanish windlasses clamping the forward sheet with a lot of twist

Next Step - Sheet ply

Beginning the next stage. The photo shows the beginning of scarfing 10 sheets of ply for the hull. Then turn it over and cut scarfs on the other end.