Corky's Build

**Papee** · 02-23-2015, 01:12 AM

I just found it much easier. If you start on the back you don't have as much leverage to pull on the front or short side of the arch. By starting at the front your "lever" is longer and easier to pull down. You're a mechanical wiz you may have another idea. I just started in the front and used a ratchet strap to pull down as I tacked.

**Corky** · 02-23-2015, 10:50 PM

OK now I understand why you started in the front...I'm liking that idea also because you're guaranteed to start off correctly with the bow tip of the boat once you get past the radius you're home free....I might have ruined my chances of doing that because of welding the sidewall sheets together for the full 14 ft run...They're not the easiest to handle and I'm not sure just how high they'd be in the air at the beginning...My shop does have a 10 ft ceiling but even then I'm not sure if that's enough...

...I've got to admit this being my first build it's a bit nerve racking...I'm not sure of just how much angle the sides will have up there at the bow...

On a side note I went through a whole spool of wire in the gun just completing the pieces up to this point...And my argon bottle was empty also i just exchanged it today...I'm guessing I'll go through at least another two spools with everything that's still needed to be done...

**Papee** · 02-24-2015, 03:49 AM

Not really, with the size of your shop you could stand the bottom on edge say against a table then build the table height up to lay the side on. You'd have to stand on a bench to weld because you would be working at five feet but if you could set it up that way it'd be even easier with one person.

**kent** · 02-24-2015, 06:10 PM

Corky,
If you continue as originally planned, starting from the transom and working forward... As you reach the area where the bottom transitions into the rake roll, just use a set of pipe clamps. Position a strong cross piece over the top edge of the sides and a cross piece under the bottom sheeting, then tighten the pipe clamps to draw the bottom upward, stitch weld a few inches, both inside and outside... Move the cross pieces and clamps forward, repeating the process as you inch your way up to the nose cross pipe. That worked rather smoothly to pull my .190" 6061 T6. Just make sure your bottom cross piece is strong enough to not let the bottom sheeting belly down on the hull centerline.
kent

**Corky** · 02-24-2015, 08:49 PM

Both great ideas guys...I'm seeing that there's no right or wrong way if the end result is satifactory...It's more an issue of doing it with what each builder has access to.....Being my first build I'm not sure just how much is needed to bend the sides down or the bow up and I might be worried about nothing I'm not sure....Tonight I pre-fitted the transom and have made some reference points for the sides...If I did this all the time I can see where some jigs would come in real handy but it's just not cost effective for a single build..

Anyhow I made another reference point where the floor sheeting will meet the 2 inch sch 40 pipe...I'm running out of excuses not to just get this done...

**Papee** · 02-26-2015, 12:37 AM

My problem was not having someone around at the time to help turn the boat so I did my build keeping the boat upright. If you have help available to move it whenever needed is a plus.

**Corky** · 02-26-2015, 07:44 PM

I'm in the same situation but that's going to change this weekend...I've got some help coming over and hopefully it's going to be together by the end of the weekend..I've got a gameplan now and with a little help it'll go much better than just me trying to deal with everything at one time... As usual I'll get pics along the way to show just what I did...

**Papee** · 02-26-2015, 10:20 PM

I have a big ratchet strap here if you want to borrow it. It is a big heavy one that will wrap the whole way around the boat and is strong enough to use a a winch if needed. That is what I used to pull down my sides. It has a heavy duty ratchet on it like you see on 18 wheeler loads.

**Corky** · 02-27-2015, 06:59 PM

Papee thanks for the offer I think I have some that are going to do the trick...I've got some pressure treated 4x4s and some straps that should work but if it does'nt I'll be in contact...I'm all set up for {what I hope is}an easy day...Starting with feeding everyone a good breakfast to start the day right...Can't work on an empty stomach...