: I am just about at this stage with my guillemot,
: Whilst I have read here on the forum and in other sources, much about the
: importance of keeping the strips tight to the frames when building in
: order to create the boat that the designer intended, nowhere have I seen
: any mention of checking the sheer width as the two halves meet.
: Surely, even though the sheer strips meet well, that isn't a garantee that
: the profile is going to be correct.
: What's the answer?

"Hull Spacings
➤ Take measurements of the correct widths of the hull and deck to make certain they remain at the correct dimensions once the inside is glassed.

The deck and hull are quite flexible with only one layer of glass on the outside surfaces. Once the second layer of glass on the interior surfaces hardens there will be a dramatic change. They will be quite rigid.

If the hull is not the correct shape, it will remain that way once the resin on the inside glass layers harden. If this happens the deck may not fit the hull.

Make a spread chart for reference when you are ready to glass the interior, so you will know the right widths for your deck and hull. See photo at right.

Place the stations back in place in the hull and measure your hull widths at 2,4, 6, 8, 10 feet etc. the length of the boat.

Mark the hull, on the sheer line, at these points for later reference. If your hull is too narrow, the interior wood has dried out and shrunk. You can get it back to it's original shape by wetting it down with a soaking sponge. You may be surprised at how much water is needed to return the hull to the correct dimensions.

If the hull is too wide, it has absorbed excess moisture and you need to dry it out. It is easier to pull a damp hull together than spread a dry one. You can use tape and strips to pull the hull together.

After you wet-out the interior glass of the deck or hull, apply spreader sticks at the points and dimensions of your spread chart for the boat. This will ensure
your deck and hull are the correct widths and will join easily."

Excepted from my instruction book.

Rob