Centerboard construction falls into place

at the providential time.

With the basic parts of the cockpit done, the only missing part among the longitudinal structures of the hull is the centerboard box. In Graham's design, this is offset to port to gain walking space inside the cabin and connects to the port cockpit seat. While the length of the box is given, I'd rather let the finished board dictate the box width.

Mid-June 2013.  As luck will have it, but then maybe because I've always been on the look out, I come across perfect lumber for the centerboard: heavy pine staves of just the right size and length, each individually wrapped for a reason nobody can guess.

Staves are sorted and grain direction lined up.

Assembling the centerboard


Setting up a gluing clamp board using two cabinet doors.

Testing the clamping board.

Gluing has to be done in two stages after running out of glue for the first few staves.











Sliding wedges apply the clamping pressure. Sliding jaw pliers make perfect adjusters.










The cut off at the bottom of the centerboard exactly fits the upper part. Clamp board rail is adjusted for diagonal gluing.





























Trimming and shaping

Full size pattern lofted and transferred to the blank.

Centerboard cut to size. Which is a mistake because it would have been easier to monitor the NACA profile shaping if the lower end were kept square.

Groovy!

Centered with the help two bolts on the router base plate.

NACA drawing from the plans are enlarged to actual size for three stations, printed on card and are used as templates to check shape while fairing with an angle grinder ...

... to produce a respectable-looking foil.  Photos belies the size and heft of the 56.5 in. board.

Swivel hole filled with epoxy bushing made from fumed silica and wood flour.