I started construction today on the TMS-20 trimaran. I’m building the strong back this weekend. The strong back is the foundation for the mold. I used 3/4 inch CDX plywood made it 12 inched wide and 6.25 inches deep by 22 feet long. I’ll finish the strong back later today after I get some sleep and the beers wear off. I need to put butt blocks on the seams for the side and build legs.

If I mark off the cleats, 1-foot spacing, I'll call that good for this weekend. The stations are going to be 1/2-inch plywood. I’m making a female mold for foam strip planking cove and bead on the edges. If all goes well I'll try to have all the stations (19) cut out by next weekend. I'll post some pictures later today on the website.

Finished Strong back. The next step is to mark off the station lines and attach cleats. I'll start cutting out the stations this week.
Strong Back Construction

as someone else says.... "Pictures, or it didnt happen!"

Click the link.....there are pictures, look at his post.

Today my search was for carbon paper to transfer the lines to the plywood. I found carbon paper at office depot for $1.97 for 12 sheets of 8 1/2 x 11. They keep it between the two typewriters that they still sell. Can't fathom they still sell typewriters, but I'm glad they do so they still carry carbon paper. That and a little tape will do.

I'm not working on the boat tonight I need to rest up. I know the strong back may not look like much but it was a weekend of work. Looking at the strong back is kind of like looking at a hole in the ground for a basement and picturing the house. But it is a step in right direction and you have to build the foundation first and have a vision of the completed house or boat in your head.

For those of you who want to follow along I'll keep posting updates and check out the website.

Later,

Mike

www.themanshed.net