Stitch and Tape

Clinker Ply

Strip Plank

Stitch and Tape is the simplest method of construction.

The hull panels are stitched together using lengths of wire to pull the panels into the hull shape.  Frames are usually required to hold the hull in the correct position, and these are also dry fixed into their places.

Once the shape is correct, the seams between the stitches are filled with epoxy paste and left to set.  Once set, the stitches are removed, and the gaps filled in with epoxy paste.

The seams are then sanded smooth, and covered in glass tape in epoxy.  It is the glass tape in epoxy that gives the hull its strength.

The hull can then be turned over.  The inside seams are given a radius of epoxy paste, smoothed off, and covered in glass tape and epoxy.

The tapes will then need to be faired with more epoxy paste and sanded smooth.  This can be a lengthy process if you are wanting a very high quality of finish

The Clinker Ply method, also known as Glued Lapstrake gives a more traditional look to the boat.

The traditional method of building CP boats is daunting to the first timer, so we have developed a process for making CP Kits.

The boats are built over moulds which we supply.  Normally, there is a keel, stem, and transom which are made from solid timber and faired to take the planks.

The planks are cut precisely to width, with a small allowance to move the planks over the moulds to obtain a good fit if the moulds are slightly out.  As each plank is added, the laps are bevelled to take the next plank, avoiding the need for large amounts of epoxy filling.

Once the hull is finished, less cleaning up of excess epoxy is required.

Strip Plank construction gives a smooth hull, avoiding the hard lines of S&T and CP.  It also gives an immensely strong monocoque structure which can take some very rough handling.

Strip plank boats are built by gluing strips of wood - usually Western Red Cedar edge to edge of moulds which we can supply.

When the shape of the hull is complete, the hull is sanded completely smooth, any gaps filled, and then coated with glass in epoxy.  Done well enough, the hull can be finished bright, and look stunning.

Once the outer hull is covered, the boat is turned and the inside glassed.  The hull can then be fitted out.