I've just started building the 15.5 Townsend and I have a couple of questions that I'm hoping you can help with.
Q1. Bottom and top panels were cut out and joined well but for some reason both middle panels are out by 3mm (1/8th inch?) at the top of the panel where they join. I have double checked my string line and floor measurements (overall QA is good) and the deviation measurement and I rechecked the original panel measurements from the reference drawings... and all proportions seem to be ok. If I can't find where the error is should I trust the panels and butt them together in parallel, or should I trust the overall length and center deviation measurements?
Q2. Initially I downloaded the free DK plans before deciding I should build the Townsend instead. I studied the DK instructions at length and they made sense... but the Townsend instructions are different and they don't make sense. For example it says to install gunwhales before the optional storage compartment and deck, and before the interior is fiberglassed and filleted.
Has anyone else built the Townsend and had these issues?
Thanks
Mike
Townsend Questions
Townsend Questions
Mike
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jem
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Re: Townsend Questions
On Q1: Do you mean if you align the panels per QA2 drawing, there a V opening instead of the panel edges butting together cleanly?
For the other sequencing items, the instructions were written to simply the steps. You can alter the sequence for those particular items if you wish.
For the other sequencing items, the instructions were written to simply the steps. You can alter the sequence for those particular items if you wish.
-Matt. Designer.
Re: Townsend Questions
Ok thanks Matt.
Yes that's correct ref Q1. When I align the panels as per the QA2 drawing there is a V where the panel edges butt together. They touch at the bottom of the panel (as per the QA2 drawing) and there is a 1/8th inch gap at the top of the panel.
If I butt the two panels together so they fit (no V and panel edges parallel), the deviation from the stringline is 19mm instead of 21.8mm... which is disturbing. The panels check out ok against QA1.
I'm guessing I've made an error with the cutout process and Im gonna have to join them with a V?
Mike
Yes that's correct ref Q1. When I align the panels as per the QA2 drawing there is a V where the panel edges butt together. They touch at the bottom of the panel (as per the QA2 drawing) and there is a 1/8th inch gap at the top of the panel.
If I butt the two panels together so they fit (no V and panel edges parallel), the deviation from the stringline is 19mm instead of 21.8mm... which is disturbing. The panels check out ok against QA1.
I'm guessing I've made an error with the cutout process and Im gonna have to join them with a V?
Mike
Mike
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Jimmy W
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Re: Townsend Questions
The epoxy and wood flour will fill the 1/8 inch gap OK. Most likely no one but you will ever notice the V. You could sand down the tight end of the V to make the gap uniform.NZMike wrote: Yes that's correct ref Q1. When I align the panels as per the QA2 drawing there is a V where the panel edges butt together. They touch at the bottom of the panel (as per the QA2 drawing) and there is a 1/8th inch gap at the top of the panel.
If I butt the two panels together so they fit (no V and panel edges parallel), the deviation from the stringline is 19mm instead of 21.8mm... which is disturbing. The panels check out ok against QA1.
I'm guessing I've made an error with the cutout process and Im gonna have to join them with a V?
Mike
Re: Townsend Questions
Some feedback: I took your advice and sanded down the tight end of the 'v' a bit and then joined it as per the instructions and it stitched together nicely - thx!
I've now removed the stitches, filled in the gaps, and I'm ready to fiberglass the exterior. Will probably be cutting cloth into strips because it's 1/4 the price of the tape here. I'm guessing it won't be as neat though so I won't use it for the interior... instead I'm tempted to glass the entire interior with cloth for extra strength. If I decide to do that is it ok to lay the cloth in strips across the hull (overlaped slightly)? For a first timer it seems to be a much easier way to do it... I'm guessing lengthwise would be a nightmare!
I had some more fun getting to this stage... the regulation 1/8th inch gap between panels left me with a 1/8th inch gap around the temp frames which was a problem since i fixed them into place with screws... In the end I used more iceblock stick spacers to fill the gaps (could be my measuring again
). The temp frames also sat flush with the top of the top panel... which meant there was no room to put the suggested temp wooden battens. 
and when I eventually removed the frames and replaced them with the wooden battens (when the hull was right way up) - I ended up with a flat bottomed design!
Don't think the epoxy had fully cured... weather cold here.
Lots of Fun!
I've now removed the stitches, filled in the gaps, and I'm ready to fiberglass the exterior. Will probably be cutting cloth into strips because it's 1/4 the price of the tape here. I'm guessing it won't be as neat though so I won't use it for the interior... instead I'm tempted to glass the entire interior with cloth for extra strength. If I decide to do that is it ok to lay the cloth in strips across the hull (overlaped slightly)? For a first timer it seems to be a much easier way to do it... I'm guessing lengthwise would be a nightmare!
I had some more fun getting to this stage... the regulation 1/8th inch gap between panels left me with a 1/8th inch gap around the temp frames which was a problem since i fixed them into place with screws... In the end I used more iceblock stick spacers to fill the gaps (could be my measuring again
). The temp frames also sat flush with the top of the top panel... which meant there was no room to put the suggested temp wooden battens. and when I eventually removed the frames and replaced them with the wooden battens (when the hull was right way up) - I ended up with a flat bottomed design!Don't think the epoxy had fully cured... weather cold here.
Lots of Fun!
Mike