First Strip Installed

After all the difficulties with the forms...after the trials and tribulations of getting wood cut...after all the worry about what mistakes are left to make...after making sure I got the book-matched strips in order...

I installed the first strip!!!!

The first strip

I started by doing a bevel that approximately matches 1/2 of what is required where the deck meets the hull. Then, using clamps and plywood holders I positioned the strip, eye-balled it for fairness, then started stapling.

Another view

This was actually much easier than I thought it might be.

I expected bending the strip along the shear line to be more challenging than it was. I hit the strip with a heat gun while pulling/pushing it into the required shape. After a few minutes, it started bending easier. With clamps, plywood holders, and staples it behaved reasonably well. Some of the staples don't want to hold, so I'm hoping to get some additional strips on soon.


Bend at the bow

For those wondering and who have not read my other posts:

• Guillemot - plans purchased from Guillemot Kayaks
  
  
• Book matched western red cedar - I found a great board at a local home improvement store. One of the advantages of living in the Pacific Northwest.
  
  
• Internal strongback - I'll probably use an external strongback on my next boat.
  
  
• Staples - it's my first boat, I didn't want to bite off more than I could chew.
  
  
• Rolling bevel - I've started fitting the second strip on each side and finding this easier than I thought it would be.
  
  
• Internal and external stems.
  
  
• Titebond II.