Model Shipways 2021 manual Shaping PRE-CARVED Hull, Shaping the Outside of the Hull

STAGE A

FIG. 1 – Hull Sections at the Bow, Amidships and Stern

SHAPING THE

PRE-CARVED HULL

1. Shaping the Outside of the Hull

The outside of the pre-carved hull can be shaped very easily with a sanding block. About all you need do is even up both sides with a sanding block. The stern has vertical sides down to a sharp

Sharp edge

Softer edge

Keep bottom edge sharp

edge, then tapers back to the waterline. Sand the bottom slope to obtain the sharp edge. Figure 1 illustrates a section at the bow, amidships, and at the stern.

Using the sanding block, smooth out the top of the bulwarks so you have a smooth curve (hull profile) and main- tain a sharp edge along the bulwark.

Next, decide on how you want the stem to look. Figure 2 shows three variations that you can use. Using a sanding block, shape the bow to accept a stem piece.

The "catboat" stem (Figure 2c) was very popular among tugs designed with a lot of barge pushing in mind.

2. Carving the Bulwarks and Deck

The machine-carved hull has bulwarks approximately 1/8" thick. They are thicker than required so they won't break while inside the kit box. The in- board sides of the bulwarks need to be cut down to a uniform thickness of about 1/32". However, this will be diffi- cult and leave the bulwarks very weak. Although a little thick, you can cut them down to only 1/16". If you want to simplify the bulwarks and omit the timberheads, the bulwarks can be thick- er. If timberheads will be added, strive for a thinner bulwark. The cap rail must cover the bulwark plank plus the top of each timberhead. If both are too wide the cap rail will be wider than scale and look very bulky. Figure 3 shows a method for cutting the bulwark thick- ness down. Use a gouge to cut to the depth, then smooth the surface with a flat chisel. A small sanding block will complete the task.

As you proceed around the stern, use the grating casting provided in the kit and test fit it as you go so the grating will fit snugly against the bulwarks.

The deck will be covered with the scored deck sheet included in the kit, unless you desire to lay individual planks as an option. In any case, you must first take a chisel and square up the corners at the bow and at the deck

FIG. 2 – Variations of the Stem

ABC Catboat stem

FIG. 3 – Cutting the Bulwark Thickness

Mark width		1/32" to
	1/16"

Smooth

Gouge with chisel

FIG. 4 – Carving the Deck

Cut out at bow

Square corners at stern grate

FIG. 5 – Installing the Rubbing Strakes

Cut from	Straight
sheet	strips	Sand to shape

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