Vic Smeed’s Silver Mist

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

I had a B & W 127 film in my Brownie box camera!

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Time for another update

The setup looks very untidy, but we get there in the end!

The lacky bands are pitiful these days from Smiths

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello Captain

The planking is coming along just fine but now you are about to start the difficult bit, will you be able to use the same thickness of planks on the tighter and more complicated curves?

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Paul

Progress is just one plank at a time now

Each one is a minor struggle……But still an interesting challenge

Can't imagine what's in the near future

Still having fun with the build

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Just for interest

The plank is being set up prior to final glueing

Note how the plank has been gripped by the various clamps and a torque applied by lacky bands, from each clamp and anchored to the bench

The wood has been wetted several times and the plank will eventually settle down to something like.

Bob

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Bob

Progress looks good on the topsides, are you planking from the keel next ?

Regards Ray

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Ray

Thanks for calling

I have paused this morning to weigh up the next move

I do normally plank from the bottom, in order to have a tidy appearance

Some of the formers are in need of adjustment at the moment…….So this is the next job

You will have noticed that the stern is not as bulbous as Vic intended

Don't really know why a boat builder would make life hard for himself……Without good reason?

According to the plan…….Both ends are pointed anyway

Bob

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Bob

She will be good in a following sea ! the fullsize boat would have had closer spaced frames to ease the planks round.

Some Spanish fishing boats go for Vic's vertical planking to achieve the curve on the stern.

Regards Ray

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Ray

I've studied the lay of the land and realised, now is not the time to plank at the keel!

The stern is quite bulbous and it would be almost impossible to bend the planks over such a sharp radius!

Better to go over the stern in plank stages

Photo to follow when I get there!

It's the way to go alright…..Aye?

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Work in progress

Devised a way of fixing the keel area planks

Starting mid ships and working out…….I wanted the planks to curve inwards towards the keel, at each end

Bob

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Bob

That's an unusual approach not having a garboard plank next to the keel, we will watch with interest

Regards Ray

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Ray

It`s an unusual approach that will make some members roll their eyes in horror!

I`m hoping to get round the bends at each end more easily…….4mm planks are not fond of bending!

A full length plank next to the keel would be tricky to end or bend at the prow

We`ll find out soon enough!

Bob

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Bob

It's standard practice when making Cedar Strip Kayaks they are planked from the gunwale and keep going, but they do use planks which are machined with one side rebated and the other side rounded so the planks follow each other.

Best of Luck Ray

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello Captain Bob

Given the size of planks being used I think that your method is the only way this model could be done but I would advise that you add an extra stringer to each side of the keel to pick up the ends of the cut planks.

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Paul

What do you mean by an extra stringer?

Hope you don`t mean……..Bulkhead!

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello Bob

No I don't mean bulkhead as you have gone well beyond that piece of advice.

The stringers are the longitudinal strips of timber usually fitted along the chine line to reinforce the joint between two skins.

I would fit an extra longitudinal piece (stringer) to reinforce the joint between the planking and the keel.

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Paul

Ok Doc, but………

A coat of FG cloth and resin would do a better job?

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello Bob

A coat of cloth and resin can flex where a stringer provides a rigid point of connection.

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Humourous engineering solutions to planking problems

As the planking progressed, it became apparent that the two sections of planking were slightly out of plonk!

The keel planks needed to curve downwards to the stern and for this, I hacked out the glued area and clamped a vertical stick that can be tapped down onto the plank section, with my trusty toffee hammer to the point of perfection!

The main planked section needed to come in a bit……..So without further ado…….Out comes my trusty 15lb chunk of solid steel…..And hung it on the top edge of the planks. With a few coats of water…….The situation is slowly improving

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

All is well, the crisis has passed, the planks are happy, so it should be plain sailing from now on?

Looking at the stern picture…….The planks are following the correct curves, dictated by the formers, so I`m wondering now……..Where did the bulbous stern idea come from?

I suppose, that if you`ve got a large block of balsa to shape………You can have any shape?

Bob

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Bob. Looking good and ingenious as ever. Following your trails and tribulations reminds me as to why I have not planked anything before!

Yes, solid balsa rear end…and why not?? why not make it easy for yourself! In preference nowadays I would use Blue Styrofoam, as this is very easy to shape, glues well with PVA or epoxy and can take fibreglass once sealed with something like EzeKote or even any acrylic paint.
​Ashley

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Well if it ain't the resident Hardboard/Bluefoam kid from Hampton Court!…….Morning Ashley

I find planking and struggling, extremely therapyputic and a cure for all ills and ailments and a good starting block for a model from yesteryear!……….Vic would be highly delighted!

I couldn't use Blue Foam to save my life!………..Or Balsa for that matter!………Sorry Vic

Seriously though, I am enjoying the build

It's a treat, waking up in the morning, knowing full well that the glue has dried and progress can be resumed!

Thanks for dropping in

Comments are welcome from all members of the forum btw

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Dropped a clanger chappies!………..Minor surgery is required

Having to chop off the prow and fit a Stem Post!

Finding it quite interesting though……………Having to gouge out a vertical slot for the post

Just a minor hiccup

Bob

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

Never mind Bob, just put it down to experience

EXPERIENCE – not making the same mistake twice

Peter.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thanks Peter in OZ

Now for another Peter from Etherow

This the intended mod to the prow………And I`m very pleased with the result

It`s been a bother for days

Bob

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