Captain's (b)log - Multichine 36 build Part 1

These pages are designed to show the build of our Multichine 36 in more detail for those of you who would like more information about each of the stages. This will tend to be a photographic journey which will have captions added for clarification. If anyone would like additional information, please post a comment and I'll try to include the answers.

...and so it begins! The stem starts to take shape
The stem, some of the frames and the rudder were started at our old house. Here I had room to make some of the smaller components in readiness for our move to pastures new and a much bigger building shed. The stem was fabricated using laminated plywood over a temporary jig.

Half-frame template
Full size half-frame templates on plasticised paper were printed locally from the .pdf files which had been provided by B & G Yacht Designs. Using fine nails, the frames' perimeters were marked on the 9 mm marine plywood - a very easy process for a chined yacht. The templates were then reversed to complete the other side. From there, it was an easy matter of simply joining the dots. The plywood could then be cut out and prepared for the frame (of the frame!).

Clamping the framing to the plywood blank
Clamps were usd to fix the yellow cedar framing timber with an epoxy glue mixture. Where framing timber was fitted out of reach of an edge, screws were initially used but were then removed and replaced by wooden pegs.


Station 4
The same principal was used for all twelve frames (or stations). The photo above shows where double thickness framing timber is used on the vertical cabin sides, this reinforcement being necessary because this is where the chain plates will be fixed.


Station 9
Station nine is the third frame from the stern. The photo shows the cockpit cut-out and demonstrates how beamy the rear part of the boat is (bit like the wife, really!).


Aligning the frames
Once all the frames were constructed, a strong-back was built and the frames carefully fitted into their respective positions. This part of the construction is absolutely critical as a mistake here is pretty much irreversible. The centre-line and waterline are used as datum points.


Starting to add the stringers
Once the frames were all in place, checked, then checked again, the stringers could then be added, starting with the sheer clamp and the first chine. The first lamination of the keel was also added. The  keel lamination overhanging the transom is used to form the sugar-scoop stern. In fact, it is the addition of the sugar-scoop that makes the difference between the Multichine 36 and the 34, the latter having a conventional transom and outboard rudder.


Starting the planking
All the other chines were then added and these were faired to provide mating sufaces for the planking.

I made a slight alteration to the design specs here. Instead of the specified 10mm ply I decided to use two skins of 6mm ply. This would not only give a slightly thicker hull but also the lamination would give a stiffer construction (much better for rounding the Horn!).


More planking

The sugar-scoop beginning to form

The Captain takes the plane!
This photo shows the hull, having had all the planking fitted, being planed where the plywood edges overlap at the clines and keel.


The dreaded sanding...

...which tends to...

...go on for ever!
After planing the rough edges, the entire hull surface was belt-sanded and then an orbital sander was used to fine up the finish. Fairing compound was applied to fill in any imperfection and then, yes, you guessed it, more sanding!

6 comments:

  1. Congratulation...Never given up.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jayme Carvalho10 May 2015 at 12:21

    Mr. Bennett, I am Brazilian and I think you are doing a wonderful job, I will try do the same boat. Mr. Luiz Gouveia told me about you, he works at Roberto Barros Yacht design. I have some doubts with the final shape of the stations, you showed the station 4 and 9 and helped me a lot, do you have the pictures of the other stations? I would be grateful if you would show me. Thank you very much!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Jayme
    I have only photos of six stations.If you email me at nohow36@gmail.com I will reply, sending those that I have. Please feel free to ask other questions also.

    Cheers
    Howard

    ReplyDelete
  4. Parabéns, belo barco! Gongratulations, Beautiful boat!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dear Howard,
    thank you a lot for your blog and my congratulations to you, your yacht is wonderful!
    I’ve got the Roberto Barros project and started to build the same boat.
    Could you please send me more photos of your building process to see details, thanks a lot!
    my email vyatslav@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete