Location: RG65 Sailboat Fleet

Discussion: General Construction QuestionReported This is a featured thread

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Rockabye74
Rockabye74
General Construction Question
Dec 16 2008, 8:37 AM EST | Post edited: Dec 16 2008, 8:37 AM EST
I am looking at building the JIF65, and I have not been able to find in the plans what material they use for the "bumper". Are they just using a balsa block for the bumper? Also, since these are relatively small and lightweight boats has anyone ever thought of using a lighter weight balsa for the hull and covering the boats in monokote? It would give a nice finish, and if the edges are sealed well would be durable and waterproof. You could even use the translucent colors on the deck and be able to see the inards of the boat. Do you find this valuable?    
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Rockabye74
Rockabye74
1. RE: General Construction Question
Dec 16 2008, 10:41 AM EST | Post edited: Dec 16 2008, 10:41 AM EST
I also have another question, as I build more boats I find that I am making building boards for each one, is there a better way? With model airplanes there was a wing jig that we used to build a multitude of wings. Is there something similar for boats? Do you find this valuable?    
SIMBC
SIMBC
2. RE: General Construction Question
Dec 16 2008, 6:03 PM EST | Post edited: Dec 16 2008, 6:03 PM EST
"I am looking at building the JIF65, and I have not been able to find in the plans what material they use for the "bumper". Are they just using a balsa block for the bumper? Also, since these are relatively small and lightweight boats has anyone ever thought of using a lighter weight balsa for the hull and covering the boats in monokote? It would give a nice finish, and if the edges are sealed well would be durable and waterproof. You could even use the translucent colors on the deck and be able to see the inards of the boat."
Great Question Mike! I hope Al, Richard and Tommy will jump in on this one. To my knowledge, you can use whatever you wish within the parameters set forth in the rules for the RG65: http://simbc.wetpaint.com/page/Rules.
 Do you find this valuable?    
SIMBC
SIMBC
3. RE: General Construction Question
Dec 16 2008, 6:10 PM EST | Post edited: Dec 16 2008, 6:10 PM EST
"I also have another question, as I build more boats I find that I am making building boards for each one, is there a better way? With model airplanes there was a wing jig that we used to build a multitude of wings. Is there something similar for boats?"
For sure, I would think one could come up with a basic building board and process that could work for most boats. I suggest holes or slots in the base so that one could reach their hands inside the boat. I don't know if any one has one. Do you find this valuable?    
SIMBC
SIMBC
4. RE: General Construction Question
Dec 16 2008, 6:14 PM EST | Post edited: Dec 16 2008, 6:14 PM EST
"I am looking at building the JIF65, and I have not been able to find in the plans what material they use for the "bumper". Are they just using a balsa block for the bumper? Also, since these are relatively small and lightweight boats has anyone ever thought of using a lighter weight balsa for the hull and covering the boats in monokote? It would give a nice finish, and if the edges are sealed well would be durable and waterproof. You could even use the translucent colors on the deck and be able to see the inards of the boat."
Regarding the bumber, the material must be elastomeric. Any soft rubber, gum type, etc. should do. Rubber soles off an old shoe or a tire would work. Some of us have those rubber sticks used to clean saw blades which should also work. The material used should be soft enough to prevent damage in the event you hit someone. Do you find this valuable?    

asuydam
5. RE: General Construction Question
Dec 17 2008, 8:10 AM EST | Post edited: Dec 17 2008, 8:10 AM EST
I've built four RG 65 hulls so far and each one is a different process. I am finding that the lightest ones are either balsa/glass or very thin ply. A word of caution on the very light ply is that the thinner you get, the more the frames "telegraph through" the skin. Your balsa hulls could be covered with monocoat - I haven't tried that yet. Just make sure you have a sufficiently stiff planking to support the monocoat, as it heat shrinks and can pull the hull out of alighnment. Covering the deck with monocoat is an established practice and should be ok. Do you find this valuable?    
Rockabye74
Rockabye74
6. RE: General Construction Question
Dec 17 2008, 9:08 AM EST | Post edited: Dec 17 2008, 9:08 AM EST
Would putting shear clamps and chines on the frames before adding the hull help reduce the "telegraphing" of the frames? I noticed that in many of the plans they omit the chine completely, and glue the shear clamps in after the fact. Do you find this valuable?    

asuydam
7. RE: General Construction Question
Dec 18 2008, 8:42 AM EST | Post edited: Dec 18 2008, 8:42 AM EST
The shear clamps would help, providing the planking material was stiff enough. In my last hull, the 1/64 planking material on the side panles was flexible enough that you could still see the material flexing between the clamps and the frames. Do you find this valuable?    
Rockabye74
Rockabye74
8. RE: General Construction Question
Dec 22 2008, 1:37 PM EST | Post edited: Dec 22 2008, 1:37 PM EST
I cut out all of the frames and keel trunk parts for my JIF last night. Going to measure and mark the building board tonight. How have people been fastening the balsa frames to the building board so far? Do you find this valuable?    
SIMBC
SIMBC
9. RE: General Construction Question
Dec 22 2008, 6:24 PM EST | Post edited: Dec 22 2008, 6:24 PM EST
"I cut out all of the frames and keel trunk parts for my JIF last night. Going to measure and mark the building board tonight. How have people been fastening the balsa frames to the building board so far? "
I used CA glue. Wear gloves as that stuff dries instantly Do you find this valuable?