So, now its time to apply the first (yes first) layer of planks on the outside of the ribs of the boat.
One side the left / port) is to be fully planked, the other (starboard / right) has an open section.
Of course it would help if I had known my right from my left, or rather, judged it whilst looking forward rather than backwards, but hey, only wasted 3 planks - grrr.
So, the planks are a rather soft wood, 5x2mm, but as provided, can't be bent. So the plans call for the wood to be soaked in water for an extended time (30 minutes +) after which the planks can be quite easily bent in both directions (both sideways and back to front - so to speak). Not very easy to soak 40cm strips mind you. I didn't have anything long enough, horizontally or vertically. In the end, I sealed the end of a length of mains conduiting (lozenge cross section) with hot glue, filled that with water, and then put the wood in there. Worked a treat.
So, one can use super glue, but because the kit is provided was 100s of small brass pins, I prefer to nail the wood to the rib, and stick using PVA glue. more forgiving and less messy to clear up. Although PVA with wet wood wasn't great, but the pins hold it in place fine.
So, here are the first few attached to the open side. You can see the small pins on each rib. its really rather satisfying knocking them in but the hammer was overkill, and holding them at the right angle with pliers was not easy. In the end I realized that with such soft wood, you can push them into the planks holding them in the pliers and then knock them all the way with the flat part of the pliers. No tool change - much easier.
You can see on the next picture, where the planks start to head off in different directions as the hull curves.
Working up to the bulwarks, and down some of the way.
Working on the side with the opening, the plans call for quite accurate placement of the planks at the edge of the holes. So marking on the ribs and laying the planks accurately seems to be important. Also enjoying using my new little clamps there.
Getting the wood to curve around the front wasn't easy, especially when filling in 'wedge' pieces, where there wasn't enough width to use nails all the way along. Also ending lengths on ribs, and trying to end the curve smoothly isn't easy. Best to cut them long, curve them around the rib with some pressure, and then cut them to the right length after.
Here is the view of the bottom of the boat. It was at this point that I managed to break one of the bulwarks, which after all, is just thin ply. So I moved onto supporting the model more carefully before 'hammering' in the nails, and pressing down. Ah well, bit more glue and all is well.
Getting tricky in places, and the clamps getting crowded.
Almost done there on the solid side.
Then working on the open side. A crisp opening, with good lines, is clearly important.
Reached the limit of pics, so breaking the posting.
