Building the Model

Before spending the time and money to build the full size boat, it seemed a good idea to build a scale model. This was for several purposes:

1) Test the building process. The scale model would be build the same way that the full size boat would be built, using the scale frames on a scale base. This would validate that the boat would come off the forms the way I expected it to (and that I wouldn't have problems getting the forms out of the completed boat!). And while the wood doesn't scale ~exactly~, the model would help point out any likely problems with getting the wooden parts to bend around the curves that the frames would be set at. If there were no problems getting the model parts to bend, hopefully the full scale parts would bend the same way.

2) The model will give a MUCH BETTER picture of what the three-dimensional boat will look like. Plans are one thing... Having something that you can turn over and view from all different angles gives much better perspective. A boat building project can take multiple years. I wanted a better idea that I would really be happy with the final product before investing so much effort.

3) It would be nice to be able to show friends and family "here's what it should look like" as the construction is in progress.

As mentioned above, the model was built exactly the way that the full size boat was to be built.

Here's a picture of the model with the frames set up:

Next step was to plank the boat. The sides were added, followed by the forward section of the bottom:

Then came the bottom panels, flipping the hull, and removing the frames:

The sides were trimmed and sanded, leaving the bare hull:

Finally, the floorboards, dash, seats, decking, and steering wheel were all added. Several hours were killed searching Walmart and various toy stores for a suitable model car to steal a steering wheel from...

The completed model gave a chance to experiment and see what a paint scheme might look like. In the model, a full length splash rail was added. This didn't make it on the finished boat. I was going to add it, but a full size batten just wouldn't lay flat on the complex line that was required. The model also had two small runners on the bottom of the boat, whereas the final boat had a large single skeg. It turned out (see main page) that I should have stuck with the two small keel strips.