The transom and rear frame are now all in and tagged, so my attention has moved to the front of the boat. As this boat will have a floor right to the bow, this presents the opportunity to move the front frame from adjacent to the wing bars, to under the wing bars and to actually form part of the wing mounting structure by actually poking through the deck.

So after work this afternoon I cut and fitted the front frames ( I am saving the biggest job, the centre-case for last ! ). To align the frame fore and aft, I used a combination of methods, the string-line and the trusty Laser “level”. With the frame tacked in place, I couldn’t resist taking a few artistic shots using the laser light.

So after a few weeks of no progress I managed to get a few hours in our in the shed this weekend. The flat panel that we made up has turned out a treat, and I now have most of the frames cut, fitted and or glued into place. Here is a run through of my build process.

Firstly I design the frames in the computer model, then I print out a template full size. This step isn’t really necessary, but as I have access to the model, it saves a lot of time trying to work out the exact frame shape. Once I have made the paper templates I transfer them to foam board that I get from an art or office supplies store. Then I trim and fit them to size and get them 90% right.

Once I have fit them, I trace around them on the flat carbon panel that we have pre-made then cut out the frames with the dremel and sand to fit. This process takes about an hour for each frame. (I have also cut the hull down between these two shots.

Once in place then I glue them in in place, with a fillet and then I will tag them in place one night this week. (And yes, I know that the centreboard case is missing )

So all in all some steady progress this weekend … next big job is the centre-case.