The scarphing challenge has occupied quite a bit of our time, but next up on the critical path was the business of shaping the Hog. This is the long strip of wood that forms the keel on a traditionally constructed boat. In our case, however, it refers to the inner keel only: modern construction calls for the planking to be sandwiched between two such strips, which means a very much simpler job of fitting it all together.
The piece in question started out as a 6 metre length of Fijian Kauri with a
rectangular profile. Our task was to shape it so that the constantly changing angles of the planks would sit fair (flush) on it. It had already been fixed to the stem and stern, as reported in fascinating detail in previous blogs.
Thanks to some creative thinking and bold use of Joe’s second hand
Once we had the Hog shaped to our satisfaction, we then began the lengthy process of fitting the first plank in place to make sure that it was ready for gluing. This was an iterative process, involving endless repetition of various useful sayings, such as "We need more clamps" and "Of course, it's not an exact science" as well as frequent trials where we 'offered up' the plank in the
vain and vague hope that it would realise that it needed miraculously to conform to shape.
The bulge in the middle of my body is, as you will have guessed, the effect of a wide angled lens.
Offering up the plank, while trying to look professional
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