Attaching the Outer Stems

Once all of the planking has been completed, the plank ends are cleaned up in preparation of fitting the African mahogany outer stems.

A belt sander is used on the upper plank ends where the outer stem fits flush with the inner stem and planks. Just past the turn of the stem, to where the outer stem will end, the planks must be cut away so that the outer stem can be inset and attached to the inner stem.

The stems are fitted and then epoxied into place.

After the thickened epoxy has cured, the screws are removed and the stem is planed and sanded so that it is close to its final shape.

Don't Spare the Clamps!

Seven mahogany strips were cut to form the outer stem lamination. The strips are 3/16” thick which stack up to a little over 1 ¼” in total thickness. The 2 ¾” wide strips bent nicely over the inner stem. A plane will be used to clean the epoxy ‘squeeze out’ from the sides of the lamination. We will remove the outer stem and then reinstall it after the planking is done.

Row, row, row your boat...life is but a dream.