Laser cut deck parts

[John ChelchowskiParticipant @johnchelchowski17951]

I’m new to the hobby and this is my first build so please forgive me for asking what I’m sure will be considered a silly question. I’m building a Sea Urchin (SLEC) and so far so good! Although I’m not quite at the stage of fitting the deck, I have been examining the laser cut parts and offering them up against the hull. It is my intention to fit a sub deck (as advocated by ’roadrunne’r in his comprehensive build report of the same vessel) and then glue the deck parts to it. I notice that there is a significant overhang over the hull of these deck parts. I don’t believe that the intention is that these should be sanded flush with the hull and therefore I assume that this overhang is intentional. I’m also presuming that the rubbing strake will play a part in the finish between the deck overhang and the hull but to my mind this would mean that the deck overhang sits on top of the strake. Can anyone please explain how this is supposed to work or if I’ve completely misunderstood the construction process for the deck.

[John ChelchowskiParticipant @johnchelchowski17951]

Fitting the deck

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hello John,

The SLEC kit for Sea Urchin is an updated version of the original Aerokits design distributed by KeilKraft, not sure who or where Roadrunners review was ? but the original design had the deck fitted after the hull sides and trimmed flush with a 1/8 square rubbing strake externally over the joint, did you have a drawing with your kit ??

I'm not sure you need a "sub deck"

Hope that helps 😀

Regards Ray

Edited By Ray Wood 2 on 02/05/2020 16:17:48

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

My SLEC Police Launch has a laser-cut deck overlay which glues on top of the ply deck parts. There was an overhang of approx 2mm all round which I sanded back flush with the hull sides. The rubbing strip then fits flush with the overlay.

[John ChelchowskiParticipant @johnchelchowski17951]

Many thanks to Ray and Dave for your kind and helpful comments.

I have the drawing and I follow the logic of the deck being flush with the hull sides. However my concern is the amount of overhang from the laser-cut deck parts as its certainly more than 2mm all round. I was concerned about removing what will be a significant amount of material from parts that I did not think would require any trimming. I am reassured that is what is required. Thank you.

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Undoubtably the best way to get a well fitting deck is to stick it on large and sand to fit. Eliminates all filling and ensures a beautiful crisp edge.

Even though it is a kit I dare say they could not run the risk of making the deck EXACTLY the right size in case someone made their hull a mm or so bigger that that, after all you can’t easily fill a wooden deck.

Ashley

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

If you look at n enlargement of the Sea Urchin photo on the SLEC website (click on the image) I think it is clear that the deck overlay should be sanded flush with the hull sides and an exeternal rubbing strip glued over the joint but sitting just below the deck edge.

**LINK**

Bear in mind that this is a representation of a typical day boat, it is not intended to be a scale model so as long as it is neat that will be fine.

'Roadrunner' runns another forum where I presume his review appeared.

Colin

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

This is how it's done:

[John ChelchowskiParticipant @johnchelchowski17951]

Many thanks Ashley, Colin and Dave; all understood and clear now!

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