Make one bottom sheet by joining one 2-7/8" and one 1-7/8" balsa sheet, as shown in Steps #91 through #94.



Position the joined balsa sheets on the bottom of the hull. Press them into contact with the keel and frames. Note that a gap develops between the keel and sheeting when it is bent into position. Use a plane and sanding block to shape a curve in the edge of the sheet, so that it fits tightly against the keel when bent into position.



Roger's Notes: It does not matter whether the wide or narrow balsa sheet is against the keel.



Bend the sheeting into contact with the entire bottom of the hull. Make pencil marks on the. sheeting to indicate the outside edge of the chine logs. Then, remove the sheet and trim the excess wood off, about 1/2" outside of the pencil marks.

Roger's Notes: It Is necessary to remove the excess wood before gluing the bottom sheeting in place. Other­wise, it will not bend into position on the chine logs at F2.
 

Side Planking



Use an X-Acto® knife to trim the front of the sheeting close to the front edge of the stem. Then, use a sanding block to bevel this edge flush with the bevel on the opposite side of the stem, as shown in "A".
 

        B

Roger's Notes: When repeating Step #100 to sheet the opposite side of the hull, make the bevel in the last sheet as shown in "B".



Repeat Steps #91 through #100 to apply the balsa sheeting to the opposite hull side.

                 Click on image to enlarge


                 Click on image to enlarge

Roger's Notes: Here are a few pictures of my hull during the side planking process.