Chesapeake Bay Flattie – Midwest {part 3}

When the sanding was done,  the side panels were cemented into place.  I kept them as flush along the chine as I could,  leaving the extra material up along the deck sheer.

As can be seen in the picture above,  the deck sheer,  as well as the side and bottom panels,  are a bit over sized.   The excess needs to be either sanded or cut off,  whichever you prefer.   I had a funny notion to leave the overage and create another transom bulkhead to cap it all in.   I voted it down,  since that would make the aft deck sheer too long,  making the boat look weird.   I removed the excess at this time.

From here,  I got a bit forgetful with further pictures.   The other side was cemented in place.   After sanding flush the bottom sides,  the panels were cemented in place,  leaving the extra material along the outside edges.   Some fitting was required along the keel to minimize gaps.   When dry,  this is what the hull looks like.

As can be seen,  the sanding I did caused a deficit at the bow.   It also ruined the edge where the skeg {keel fin} starts.   The excess material was trimmed along the deck sheer and sanded flush.   I also refined the flat area on the bow……a bow stem is to be added here later on.

From the bow to the transom,  along the keel,  there is a pair of chafing planks,  that are to cemented here.   The centerboard is to fit in the center along the keel.  The deficit at the bow was filled in with some 1/32 strip stock of the same width.  Then,   I sanded the keel and bottom flush and laid there two planks.   The center where the keel should fill in,  I added another plank,  leaving a slot for the centerboard.

To emphasize the skeg,  a 1/32 strip of the same width,  was cemented in place,  capping off the stern post,  that was cemented on,  combining these two steps of assembly.

From here,   this process was cleaned up with a little sanding.   What looked like a big problem,  was quickly cut down to size.   For those who are just starting out,  mistakes are not the end of the world.   With a little though and looking ahead in your instruction manuals,  you should be able to sort out a remedy for any problem you run across.   If you make a goof…….never quickly take it apart….assess it first.   Perhaps there is an alternative remedy you can do.   Who knows……it may just enhance the model and make it look more interesting.

AHOY!!!