STARBOARD MIDSHIP REBUILD (3)

[bob mitchell]

        I think it is really important to start on a rebuild at the right place, or on the right repair. You don't want to lose the boat shape or layout, so that makes it critical to remove and repair things in the correct order. The midship rebuild is a perfect example. The cabin sides have to be replaced, decking, a span of all three layers of the inner clamp, several frames, deck beams, and the outer clamp. So where to start.

All of the above hold important information, but some hold the basic shape and layout - ie the frames. So while the old frames are in place  I want to capture the shape and layout by rebuilding the inner clamp. It is a little ackward to scarf in the new pieces, behind the frames, but once the inner clamp is set it will maintain the shape of the boat, and I can mark the positions of the frames. The inner clamp will also define the deck beams and deck surface. Basically, the three layers of inner clamp that run the length of the boat, are one reference center of a Newporter's world.

           The 3 layers of the clamp are nailed to the frames from the inside, so the first thing to do is saw saw between the clamp and the frames. NOTE THAT THE NAILS NOT ONLY CONNECT THE CLAMP TO THE FRAME, BUT ALSO THE LAYERS OF THE CLAMP TOGETHER, SO YOU WILL HAVE TO SAW SAW THE SAME NAIL MORE THAN ONCE TO SLIP OUT INDIVIDUAL LAYERS OF THE CLAMP.

            The position of the scarf on the outside layer was chosen because there was a original 8" scarf separating, so I will reinstall the new piece to match. I did a 2"scarf at the other end with a chisel. 

You kind of have to be prepared to do what the space gives you. So you will make cuts in every layer, offset by a significant amount. You can see a 50 degree scarf in the middle layer, to the left, done by a battery powered Dewalt circular saw.

Next, scarf in the new pieces, gluing the scarfs and in between the layers, BUT NOT TO THE FRAMES - JUST clamp to the frames -BUT DO NOT LET THEM ATTACH TO THE FRAMES> We are just laminating in the correct original curve. (photos tomorrow) Remember, several of those frames wikk be replaced.