Hood Build - Week 29/34

Part 2 -
I've spent all week after work and this long weekend to finish the second planking..to say I'm relived is an understatement, I'll spent some time carefully sanding and shaping the hull over the next few days. Part 1 of the planking was on the starboard side, I'll now continue on the port side of the hull. I've approached this in a different way from the magazine and I personally think its the better way. I was working up till 10pm last night so the picture came out a little yellow, so I've adjusted them in Photoshop, that's why they look a little washed out.

Also a new graphic for each week (trying to keep things fresh) showing a percentage bar and figure in % of where we are on the build. The figure is based on a percentage of 140 (Issues) and the bar may not be totally accurate, it's only for a quick visual guide to the progress of my build/Issues.

Finishing off the starboard side planking, this part is a little difficult but taking your time reaps rewards.

Notice how I've stepped the planks at the bow, I'll come back to that when the port side has reached the same point.

Starting the port side planking, a little different from the other side and not in line with the magazine, I'll be planking one length at a time, so starting from just below the lip, carefully pulling the stern planks around a little...in fact I soaked this plank to help bend it around the stern.

After a weeks planking (a few hours after work) bevelling each plank and sanding to fit before gluing into place, small nails just to hold while the glue (Aliphatic) dries. A light sand once it's dry also helps later with the final sanding.

The stern area a little closer, yes there is some work to do but I'm happy with the result so far.

The stern planking getting closer to joining up with the starboard side.

Meeting up at the bow, again I've stepped the planks to match.

Close up of the stern after cutting away the single plank I laid up against the ply, this was to give me a nice clean line to help shape the stern. I've cut away these planks to allow the next layer on both side now to butt up cleanly (see small picture)

Now that port side has matched the starboard side planking I intend to plank one side at a time until it meets.

Bow area planking.

Work on the stern, glue spread with the finger, plank laid and pulled inwards towards the previous plank, nails tapped into hold until dried....next plank!

A close up of how I'm planking, this is the bow but the stern is exactly the same.

After I was happy that both starboard and port have reached a certain point it's time to find a centre line and lay a single plank.

Once the single plank has been glued add another one either side (port & starboard) and progress backwards or forwards, cutting each plank to match the area needed to be covered.

 Bow planking, centre plank plus one either side.

Nearing the end, this is a great point to get to, an achievement, it's well worth taking your time to get here. I'm slowly filling the last planks. When you fit the last plank you may find a small slither of a gap, all I did was to fill it with glue and sand some scrap wood over the top to fill it in.

I took this picture last night so its not in natural light, it's also unsanded, as soon as I can I'll be taking it outside and hoping for 'favourable winds' to carefully sand.

Well that's it for the bulk of the hull construction, I'm not sure where we go from here regarding the bow resin part or the bow and stern porthole section that are still needed to be built up...I will getting some Auto Body filler from Halfords to use for any gaps that may appear during sanding, I have a procedure in mind regarding the hull but will wait until further on in the build.

Any updates I have after sanding the hull I'll add to the next Issue..Issue 35