Well it seemed like a cool idea at the time

Posted on by David

When coming up with the wood design for the Great Auk I saw a number of boat photos using what I call a lattice detail. The detail uses small, alternating color pieces of wood oriented perpendicular to the planking, creating an eye-catching accent. Well that was the plan anyway.

I thought using this lattice detail in the curving section of the hull would look great. And it would have but after getting exactly two pieces completed in 2 hours, I thought different. It was going to take way, way too long and since I had promised my wife that she would have the boat for the 2020 season, I went to plan B.

Plan B still used the lattice design, just in a straight line in the flat part of the hull.

I started by cutting a whole bunch of inch and half pieces.
I glued them together along a straight edge
But… the strips flexed way too much and some of the joints actually failed when handled.
I hot-glued a strip of wood to stiffen and support the strips so I could glue them in place in the hull
The strips in place in the hull
That actually worked but now how do I get rid of the strips?
The same way the glue went on only in reverse. Heat!
Ok so it wasn’t a clean release
A little bit of sanding and scraping and it’s good

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