Got the drawings/plans last week – had to get the 13ft original Beach Pea from Wooden Boat and the 15ft supplement from Doug Hylan’s shop directly. The supplement shows modified mold stations and different stem layout.
In the Penobscot plans from Arch Davis he includes a nice mylar full scale mold/frame and stem sheet that you use to create templates which form geometry for entire hull (shown above). You need to get these absolutely correct or you will have 1) big time problems planking, 2) ugly boat.
Hylan provides a 1/2 scale drawing of stem with reference dimensions etc. I had to lay this out full scale to transfer to template which will be used to create a laminating jig for stems. Luckily I have a nice Mutoh drafting machine in the man-cave so no big deal.
The image below shows my paper drawing laid on top of 1/4″ template plywood. Basically you take a small awl and prick through drawing into template – not difficult but a bit time consuming since spacing about 3/16″ between marks.
Step 1 – Prick out drawing to template material
I tried to cheat and just free hand lines by connecting the dots (prick marks). My thinking was this is just used to build jig so should be good enough. Wasn’t happy with those results so used a spline to create a nice and fair curve(s). Arch Davis would be proud! As a side note, I built the Beach Pea 2 years ago with Geoff Kerr at WBS and the Penobscot 13 with Arch this summer. The Beach Pea is a working boat and the P13 is a “gentleman’s” boat. It was interesting to see the 2 distinct methods between both designs and builders. I’m just using the best of either tecniques.
Step 2 – Connect the dots
Lines faired, lap and plank marks done – will look at again in morning after reviewing everything a final time before cutting starts. Since boat is built upside down, it is pretty easy to get up/down mixed up. The standard is up/down always relative tho how boat sits in the water. Sounds simple, but easy to screw up. At best I will get the laminating jig complete before cold weather puts everything on hold. My new goal is to have boat complete for next years (2024) Wooden Boat Show in Mystic CT.
Step 3 – check for fair and prep to cut
Shop Supervisor
Beach Pea ‘s Stem Pattern – 1st saw dust generated – 10/20/23